How TGW Logistics Made Efficiency and Flexibility Possible

Hachette UK distributes 25% of all books sold in the UK. Adding in the rest of the world, it's easy to see how it was a struggle to keep up logistically and maintain high service standards. After analyzing operations, TGW Logistics saw several opportunities for improvement:

• Operating two warehouse sites led to duplication of processes and higher transport and operating costs. Hachette required a more streamlined approach that could centralize their operations and reduce these unnecessary expenses.
• Hachette’s multi-channel complexity required meeting each channel’s fulfillment needs and distribution demands. The challenge was finding a way to integrate all these channels under one roof while maintaining the highest customer service.
• As Hachette’s book distribution network expanded, they needed to optimize space in their new facility to handle increased inventory while ensuring the system could scale to meet future growth without disruption.
• With growing demand came pressure to fulfill orders faster and more accurately. Hachette needed to reduce lead times while ensuring that customer orders—whether full cases or split cases—were fulfilled with precision.
• The company’s existing systems required an upgrade to incorporate more advanced automation and software capabilities. They needed technology that could integrate seamlessly with their current operations—particularly their existing Warehouse Management System (WMS)—to ensure smooth coordination across the entire fulfillment process.