A medical equipment manufacturer needed a logistics provider to support growth in Europe and regain focus on its core business. FedEx SupplyChain was chosen to deliver time-sensitive components to the manufacturer's increasing customer base. FedEx SupplyChain established a European distribution center in the Netherlands to optimize processing and distribution. It provides visibility, fulfillment, and overnight delivery of spare parts to ensure the manufacturer meets its strict service commitments to hospitals.

1. Customer success story:
Precision handling of critical parts
With demand for robotic surgical equipment rising, one of the global
leaders in this field needed a logistics provider to support growth in
Europe in order to regain focus on its core manufacturing business.
Surgeons and patients alike benefit hugely from robotic-assisted
surgery and our customer wants this leading-edge technology to
reach the widest possible market. As the company lacked its own
supply chain expertise, it needed an international service provider
who could match its high standards for precision, reliability and
service. FedEx SupplyChain was chosen as the supplier best able to
deliver its time-sensitive components to an increasing customer base.
For more information call +31 (0)40 292.2922 or go to fedex.com.
Our Customer
Manufacturing robots for use in
different areas of surgical operations,
its state-of-the art equipment allows
surgeons to perform complex procedures
employing minimally invasive surgery,
an approach that improves clinical
outcome and encourages faster
patient recovery.
Hospitals are investing in this capital
equipment and they need the further
assurance that their equipment will remain
fully operative all the times.
They simply cannot afford any delay
in spare parts delivery.
Meeting this demanding service
commitment was the prime reason why
the customer choose FedEx Critical
Inventory Logistics®
, given our proven
ability to ensure that time-sensitive
shipments consistently arrive in the
right place at the right time.
“Our Service Engineers rely on FedEx
SupplyChain to help them meet their
challenging service commitments”

2. Why The Netherlands?
Our European Distribution Centre is based in
Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Our customer
benefits from this strategically selected location
for the following reasons:
• Access. An ideal location from which to serve the whole
of Europe. Eindhoven is close to the main sea and air port
facilities of the most significant economic area of Europe
at the heart of Europe’s high-tech and healthcare region.
• Cash-Flow. Additionally the Netherlands has instituted a
system that provides for the deferment of VAT at the time
of import, offering considerable cash-flow advantages to
our customer.
For more information call +31 (0)40 292.2922 or go to fedex.com.
FedEx Critical Inventory Logistics
To support our customer’s growing market, we
recommended FedEx Critical Inventory Logistics
to handle their time-sensitive, high-value products.
This solution is specifically developed for such
mission-critical products.
Fulfillment
Customer inventory is centralised at our European Distribution
Centre in the Netherlands to optimise the processing and
distribution of orders. Inbound shipments arrive from locations
in the US and Europe and are entered into our state-of-the-art
Warehouse Management System. Outsourcing fulfillment and
stock consolidation in this way delivers efficiency gains as well
as cost savings to our customer.
Order And Inventory Visibility
The system is set up to ensure all inbound shipments run parallel
with the customer’s inventory and fulfillment solution. It also gives
the customer the benefit of total visibility over inventory from order
inception to end-user delivery, thanks to EDI and also an online
portal. Such supply chain visibility is crucial for many businesses
but absolutely indispensable for a medical equipment manufacturer
with highly demanding service levels.
Time-Sensitive Distribution
Spare parts orders are delivered overnight from our European
Distribution Centre with the option of early morning delivery
available at the request of customer Service Engineers.
This allows them to restore non-functioning robotic equipment
within the strict service timescales agreed with their hospital
clients. Confident of on-time delivery to every location also
means they carry less trunk stock, reducing the risk of
loss or damage to such high-value parts.
“Spare parts delivery to hospitals
overnight is key to maintaining our
strict service agreements”

3. Pro-Active Notification And Recovery
Tight control over inventory is supported by the pro-active role
of FedEx Customer Services who individually track all outbound
shipments. If any obstacle is encountered during transportation,
they can take immediate corrective action to make sure every
shipment arrives on time. Throughout the process cost estimates
and rate calculations are provided for all outbound shipments,
giving the customer constant confirmation that the most favourable
solution is always sought.
“If a problem occurs during
transportation, corrective action
is immediate.”
For more information call +31 (0)40 292.2922 or go to fedex.com.
Tailored Solutions
Delivering products on time is what our customer needs most of
all. Even in non-business areas and, as service windows become
narrower, we help them meet their service level agreements with
best-in-class flexibility, thanks to a strong network of European
carriers including FedEx Express and other allied networks.
Returns Management
We were asked by the customer to help their Service Engineers
return unused spare parts while they are out on the road.
This was achieved by encouraging them to drop off spare parts
at a depot using pre-printed return airway bills that accompanied
every outbound shipment.
The parts dropped off in this way are forwarded to our European
Distribution Centre where, having passed inspection, they are
returned to the inventory or to the customer, depending on what
has been agreed.
ISO 13485 Certification
Keen on safeguarding a strong reputation for delivering
high-end surgical machines, an essential customer requirement
is the ISO 13485 certification for the supply chain management
of medical devices.
Certification demonstrates the excellence and continuing diligence
in the storage and fulfillment of orders for medical devices, giving
our customer the peace of mind that they have made the right
choice of logistics service provider.
Global IT
Should our customer be called on in future to ship medical
products outside Europe, they can make full use of our integrated
global network, giving them any number of logistical opportunities
from one single logistics provider.

4. FedEx. Solutions Powered by People.
Need more information?
Do you want to know what FedEx Critical Inventory Logistics®
can mean to your business?
Please contact our Global Solutions Sales Executive Team.
Call +31(0)40 292.2922 or go to fedex.com
The Benefits of Using FedEx Critical
Inventory Logistics
Taking the time, trouble and effort to understand
every aspect of a customer’s business as consistently
demonstrated by our team members, produces results
that exceeded expectations:
• Consolidated inventory at FedEx European Distribution Centre,
eliminating the need for excess warehouse inventory and
offers better network planning and speed
• Located in the Netherlands, so enjoying the Dutch geographical,
logistical and fiscal advantages
• Flexibility through utilising a variety of shipping services
including FedEx Express and allied networks
• Global control and visibility through one single interface
and integration
• Enhanced customer satisfaction with the FedEx reliability
and time-definite delivery options
• Highly flexible IT systems to meet every business requirement
• An experienced and dedicated team of specialists directly
available to support you and your business that really make
a difference
About FedEx SupplyChain
As an integrated logistics provider, FedEx SupplyChain puts into
operation solutions that leverage the FedEx transportation and
information networks in commercial markets around the world.
A company that provides integrated FedEx services for customers
with high-value products or complex supply chain requirements,
FedEx SupplyChain offers specialty logistics services through a
network of owned and managed resources – all tightly integrated via
advanced IT systems.
FedEx SupplyChain helps customers turn logistics management
into a competitive strategy by enabling them to focus on core
competencies, reduce costs and improve customer service.