Easter, Christmas, Black Friday. For customers, these moments bring joy. For logistics? Intense pressure. During peak seasons, we process multiple times our usual volume – while maintaining top-level quality, precision, and efficiency.
In our latest webinar, we gave a behind-the-scenes look at how HOPI prepares for and navigates seasonal peaks across fulfillment, transport, warehousing, and value-added services. The principle is simple: no improvisation – only preparation and data.
Why Peaks Are More Than Just an Operational Challenge
Seasonal peaks aren’t anomalies – they’re part of the reality in FMCG logistics. At HOPI, we serve over 500 customers and process more than 11 million pallets per year. Each peak (Christmas, Easter, Black Friday) brings:
multiplied volume,
pressure for speed and accuracy,
the need for immediate adaptability.
To keep things running smoothly, we combine long-term strategic planning with daily operational execution.
PDCA: How We Prepare for Logistics Peaks
We manage peak seasons with the PDCA methodology (Plan – Do – Check – Act).
PLAN – Long-Term Preparation
Historical data and volume forecasts.
KPI setting (e.g. picking accuracy, case fill rate, order lead time).
Adjustments to layouts, shifts, equipment, and IT infrastructure.
Use of SAP-based tools (like PROMES) for live insights.
Feedback loops from both customers and warehouse teams.
ACT – Continuous Improvement
Full post-season evaluation (lessons learned).
Operational process refinement, capacity adjustments.
Application of improvements for the following year.
Three Pillars of Peak Management: People, Data, Flexibility
1. People
Seasonal hiring begins weeks in advance.
Realistic onboarding through hands-on training environments.
Core expert teams lead, train, and keep morale high.
2. Data
8-week rolling forecasts with weekly updates.
Tracking of client promotions and salary cycles.
Integration of all data into SAP and planning systems.
3. Flexibility
Performance balancing across multiple warehouses.
Standardized processes across regions.
Dynamic load shifting within HOPI’s distribution network.
VAS and Fulfillment: Peak Starts Long Before the Season
For some clients, we begin Easter production as early as January and Christmas as early as August. Our Value Added Services team handles brands like Nestlé and Mondelez.
Preventive equipment maintenance and backup planning.
Early recruitment and training of operators.
Daily monitoring of performance, quality, and team motivation.
Customer Evaluation: Transparency After the Peak
After each peak season, we hold review meetings with clients to evaluate:
Forecasted vs. actual volumes and key deviations.
KPIs: service level, accuracy, lead times, case fill rates.
Escalation handling and responsiveness.
Simplification of processes, reporting flows, or pallet exchange.
Internally, we also recognize and reward employee efforts – through meetings, feedback sessions, bonuses, and even customer-supported celebrations.
Summary
A logistics peak isn’t a crisis. It’s the result of systematic planning, training, and collaboration.
At HOPI, we believe that mastering peaks requires:
well-prepared processes,
cohesive and experienced teams,
reliable data,
and a relentless drive to improve.
Interested in how we’d handle your peak season? Let’s talk. We’ll show you what logistics is truly capable of.
