Sustainability and logistics
Sustainability and logistics: Building a future beyond the challenges
DISCOVERThe rise of e-commerce after the pandemic and its impact on the logistics industry
The pandemic led to the rapid growth of e-commerce worldwide. As consumer habits changed forever, it became critical for the logistics industry to respond to this increase in demand. Operational difficulties in logistics processes, human resource deficiencies and technological developments have been the building blocks of this process.
The steady rise of e-commerce in the aftermath of the pandemic has forced logistics companies not only to ensure faster delivery and optimise costs, but also to invest in technology, restructure human resources and improve warehouse infrastructures.
Technological transformation in the logistics industry
• The rise of digitalisation and automation: Post-pandemic, logistics operations have undergone a major transformation with automation and digitalisation to meet the demand of e-commerce. Warehouse management systems (WMS), artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have accelerated logistics operations and minimised manual work processes.
• Digital twin technology: Digital twin technology enables better analysis and optimisation by creating digital copies of physical warehouses and logistics operations. Issues such as monitoring material flows within the warehouse and managing inventory levels more accurately are optimised through digital twins, reducing operational costs.
• Last Mile Logistics and Autonomous Delivery: Interest in last-mile logistics has increased to meet increased delivery demands during the pandemic. While the importance of micro warehouses in city centers has increased, deliveries made by drones and autonomous vehicles have emerged as a major innovation. The use of these technologies shortened delivery times and increased operational efficiency.
• Use of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data: In the logistics industry, artificial intelligence has started to play a major role in processes such as route optimization, demand forecasting and inventory management. Big data analytics enabled warehouses to work more efficiently by better understanding customer behavior and anticipating order demands.
Impact on Human Resources and New Competencies
• Workforce Transformation: The growth in the e-commerce sector after the pandemic has changed the nature of the logistics workforce. The need for employees with more technical and digital skills has increased, especially in warehouse management. Unlike the traditional logistics workforce, personnel specialized in data analytics, software management and automation systems started to stand out.
• Remote Working and Hybrid Models: With the pandemic, flexibility in the workplace has become important. Many personnel working in management and support processes in the logistics industry switched to remote working models. This model required more digitalization and agile workforce strategies in operational management.
• Employee Health and Safety: With the increase in e-commerce demand, occupational safety of the workforce working in warehouses has become more important. During the pandemic, health protocols and hygiene practices have become more stringent to protect the health of employees in warehouses and distribution centers. These processes set new standards in human resources management.
Changes in Warehouse Infrastructure
• Microwarehouses and Distribution Centers: The pandemic has increased the importance of micro warehouses and urban distribution centers, especially in big cities. These warehouses, located closer to city centers, accelerated the last-mile delivery process, enabling faster response to customer demands. Thus, the pressure of large central warehouses was reduced and distribution processes were optimized.
• Warehouse Automation and Robotic Systems: After the pandemic, the use of in-warehouse automation systems became widespread rapidly. In particular, technologies such as robotic carriers, racking systems and autonomous forklifts have increased the speed of warehouse operations and reduced costs. Autonomous robot technologies used by big players such as Amazon have become a standard in the industry.
• Smart Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Warehouse management systems played a critical role in the logistics industry after the pandemic. Processes such as real-time stock management, inventory optimization and order tracking have become more efficient with WMS technologies. Smart warehouses provided cost advantages, especially by adapting quickly to rapidly changing demand.
Sustainable logistics and environmental impact
• Reducing the carbon footprint: The increasing volume of e-commerce after the pandemic has led to the adoption of environmental sustainability strategies in the logistics industry. The use of electric vehicles, recyclable packaging and green warehousing practices have been the main steps taken by logistics companies to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Reducing waste and energy consumption: Warehouse automation and digitised supply chains enabled more efficient energy use by reducing waste. Smart warehouses reduced energy consumption, while packaging solutions made from recyclable materials reduced environmental impact.
The rapid rise of e-commerce after the pandemic led to a radical transformation of the logistics industry. Technological innovations, changes in human resources and developments in warehouse infrastructure have played a key role in giving logistics companies a competitive edge. In the future, digitalisation is expected to increase further and logistics processes will be shaped by sustainability-oriented innovations. This change has transformed the logistics industry into a structure that adapts to the evolving needs of e-commerce. As Sertrans Logistics, the first e-commerce logistics company in our country, we have continued the investments we started before the pandemic after the pandemic. We continue our determination to grow in e-commerce logistics with our investments in both technological and warehousing infrastructure and human resources.
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