Making logistics part of the conversation

Martin Breen, director of logistics, UK, TD SYNNEX, tells how he and his team are working to make the vital services they provide work even better for customers

For Martin Breen, logistics director UK at TD SYNNEX, the big challenge is ‘making logistics part of the conversation’ – with customers and within the business itself. ‘It’s our job to make it as easy as possible for them. We need to deliver the best service we can and make sure that the journey, from the moment the order is placed through to point of delivery is a simple, streamlined flow.’

While customers don’t need to understand the complexities involved in shipping upwards of 5,000 orders every day, the TD SYNNEX logistics team does need to understand what customers need and how the logistics team can do an even better job for them. ‘We deliver an excellent service today, but what’s the next step? What can we do differently? How do we continually challenge ourselves to be smarter and better?’

The people in this business have made me feel very welcome and I really feel part of the team

That’s a challenge Martin sees being set right across the business. ‘I’ve been impressed with the culture, the values and the approach of TD SYNNEX as a company. From the leadership down, making sure everyone feels involved and empowered to do what they feel they need to do. We are very aligned in terms of where we want to go. The people in this business have made me feel very welcome and I really feel part of the team.’

Doing the miles

Since arriving in autumn 2023, he has made a few changes, re-structuring the logistics operations teams and bringing in additional experience, including Steven Crook, who has come in as general manager logistics operations. ’That’s all gone really well and the next stage is to look at performance and productivity, such as innovation and technology that can help us drive greater efficiency into our logistics operations.’

While the movement of products around the huge Magna Park warehouse site in Leicestershire is done using automation, and TD SYNNEX is looking at how AI can be used to help decide exactly where to locate products and thus maximise efficiency, the products are still picked from the locations by people.

It’s like learning to drive. It’s not passing your test – it’s doing the miles

It might sound simple enough, but picking is a complicated job. It takes six to eight weeks for a new starter to become proficient. ‘You have to understand where the pick locations are, what the product types are, learn to use the tech that we have in the warehouse, and the picking cycle. If you use a forklift or a ‘LLOP’ (a low level order picker), you’ve got to be trained and it takes a while for you to become efficient. It’s like learning to drive. It’s not passing your test – it’s doing the miles.’

While the warehouse team is extremely dynamic and will often make quick changes to meet specific customer requests, significant process changes need to be carefully planned and implemented, as they would anywhere in the business.

Part of the team

As they are absolutely key to making sure that the warehouse runs efficiently and customers get their deliveries as expected, it’s only right that co-workers at Magna Park are also involved in the continuous improvement efforts and Martin is making sure that happens. Having people coming into the organisation with different experiences helps too. Both Martin and Steve have worked in various other sectors, and for some of the world’s largest third-party logistics businesses.

It’s also important that the warehouse team feels fully engaged with and a part of the wider TD SYNNEX team and culture, said Martin. ‘It’s absolutely key that Magna [Park] feels a part of the whole company and understands its values. We have regular Town Halls and we talk to people and make sure everyone knows what’s going on with the business and feels a part of it.’

Sitting still is not in our DNA – we are continually pushing to be better

That goes for customers and co-workers, suppliers, and co-workers from the rest of the business as well. They are all involved in the discussion about what logistics services need to look like in the years ahead. ‘The message is, talk to us, involve us, make sure we are part of the conversation, ’ said Martin.

‘We want to change the way that logistics is seen and thought about and is visible to customers. We have to think about what we can do to meet their needs. When we understand, when we plan, we are better. We can react quickly, but to drive real change we need to be involved in the conversation early. We are always a work in progress and always striving to be more efficient and effective for the customer. Sitting still is not in our DNA – we are continually pushing to be better.’

Who is Martin Breen?

Martin Breen, Director of Logistics, TD SYNNEX, UK

Martin joined TD SYNNEX in September 2023 from GXO Logistics, one of the world’s largest logistics firms, where he managed warehouse and transport operations for major supermarkets. It was not all that different to what’s required in the IT business, he said. ‘There is complexity in both sectors but in the end, it’s about making sure you pick and pack the right product to go to the right place at the right time.’

What do you like most about working at TD SYNNEX?

‘The people. The UK&I board are brilliant to work with and the direction they want to take the business in and the alignment that they have is exceptional. In the logistics team, we have a great group of people who are 100% dedicated to TD SYNNEX and to our customers. I have been so impressed with the team since I took over. The commitment that they have and the way they want to service our partners has blown me away. As a business, the way we bring people together and work towards our values and communicate with our co-workers is second to none.’

What are you most excited about for the future?

‘The growth plans we have and making logistics part of the conversation. I firmly believe it should be a key and fundamental part of how we work with our partners.’

How do you like to relax?

‘I’m a typical weekend golfer. I love to play but it’s now more about time being out with friends. I’m also an avid Evertonian, which causes me more stress than anything else and, of course, I enjoy spending time with friends and family.’