ATLANTA and PARIS, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Manhattan Associates(R), the global leader in providing supply chain execution (SCE) and optimisation solutions, today announced that Okaidi, the privately-owned children's clothing retail specialist, has successfully implemented Manhattan Associates' Warehouse Management solution for Open Systems at key distribution centres (DCs) in Northern France. The two adjacent facilities, in Roubaix near Lille, together serve as a combined hub for the French retailer's pan-European distribution requirements. Okaidi's deployment of the Warehouse Management solution for Open Systems, running on IBM's eServer platform, has allowed Okaidi to build an optimum warehousing capability that can be replicated anywhere else in the world. Okaidi is also implementing a further component of Manhattan Associates' Integrated Logistics Solutions(TM) -- Trading Partner Management. This will enable the retailer to build closer ties with its manufacturing and logistics services suppliers and achieve greater control over its extended supply chain.
Established in 1996 and launched as a brand in September 2000, Okaidi expanded very quickly to become a leading player in the children's (0-14 years of age) apparel retail market. By the end of 2001, Okaidi owned more than 160 retail outlets in France, and subsequently extended its reach internationally to sell its range of apparel merchandise around the world. Okaidi today owns more than 300 retail outlets, of which 60 are outside France in locations throughout the rest of Europe as well as the Middle East and Pacific regions. Okaidi estimates it will have 1500 employees by the end of 2004, with a projected 2004 turnover of euro 235m.
Two factors played a crucial part in Okaidi's selection of Manhattan Associates' solutions -- the company's ability to address supply chain execution and optimisation from source to consumption and, critically, its ability to scale in parallel with Okaidi's business growth.
The receiving, storage, picking, packing and shipping functionality of Manhattan Associates' Warehouse Management solution for Open Systems has enabled Okaidi to significantly improve its operational processes, particularly inventory management. Within three months of going live, Okaidi achieved a 10% productivity gain at its two facilities.
Manhattan Associates' Trading Partner Management solution, currently being rolled out by Okaidi, is a Microsoft-based solution that facilitates the exchange of real time information between trading partners via the Internet, providing transparency in the movement of inventory across the supply chain.
Given the optimised supply chain model that Okaidi has created in Europe with Manhattan Associates' Integrated Logistics Solutions, Okaidi intends to replicate the model during 2005 at two logistics centres in China and Dubai, to help Okaidi exploit the potential of the Middle East and Far East regions.
"Successfully managing growth is a complex challenge for any company, particularly in an international development context," commented Frederic Gerard, logistics director at Okaidi. "We consider a robust supply chain infrastructure a key component of our expansion strategy, and so the creation of an optimised model in one region that can be replicated anywhere in the world was regarded as a crucial aspect of our growth plan. With Manhattan Associates' Integrated Logistics Solutions, we have reached this goal, and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Manhattan Associates team as we build out our operations in the Middle East and Asia regions.
"Okaidi's aggressive plan to roll out our Warehouse Management solution for Open Systems and our Trading Partner Management solution in three regions within the space of a few years is testament to Okaidi's vision and strategic planning for the future," said Henri Seroux, Director of Manhattan Associates France. "Additionally, the first phase of the roll-out will lay the groundwork for Okaidi's future implementations of Manhattan Associates' Integrated Logistics Solutions. Our Warehouse Management solution for Open Systems and Trading Partner Management solution will provide Okaidi with complete visibility into its business, both inside the distribution facilities and across the supply chain."
About Okaidi
Okaidi is an apparel retailer, specialising in clothing for children between 0 and 14 years of age. Becoming independent in 1996, when it was spun off from the Camaieu group, the company has since taken off and has experienced a sustained period of growth. Launched as a brand in 2000, Okaidi has become a prominent player as a value-clothing retailer, marketing an original range of practical childrenswear. The retail format guarantees a service quality that is second to none. With this mission in mind, the company began its international expansion in 2001 and by 2004 had over 300 retail outlets, of which 60 are abroad (Europe, Lebanon, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, New Caledonia). The company employs 1200 people and recorded a euro 220m turnover in 2003. For more information about Okaidi, visit http://www.okaidi.fr/ .
About Manhattan Associates
Manhattan Associates, Inc., is the global leader in providing supply chain execution and optimisation solutions. It enables operational excellence through its warehouse, transportation, distributed order management, reverse logistics and trading partner management applications, as well as its RFID, performance management and event management capabilities. These Integrated Logistics Solutions leverage state-of-the-art technologies, innovative practices and our domain expertise to enhance performance, profitability and competitive advantage. Manhattan Associates has licensed more than 900 customers representing more than 1,600 facilities worldwide, which include some of the world's leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers. For more information about Manhattan Associates, visit http://www.manh.com/ .
Manhattan Associates
Established in 1996 and launched as a brand in September 2000, Okaidi expanded very quickly to become a leading player in the children's (0-14 years of age) apparel retail market. By the end of 2001, Okaidi owned more than 160 retail outlets in France, and subsequently extended its reach internationally to sell its range of apparel merchandise around the world. Okaidi today owns more than 300 retail outlets, of which 60 are outside France in locations throughout the rest of Europe as well as the Middle East and Pacific regions. Okaidi estimates it will have 1500 employees by the end of 2004, with a projected 2004 turnover of euro 235m.
Two factors played a crucial part in Okaidi's selection of Manhattan Associates' solutions -- the company's ability to address supply chain execution and optimisation from source to consumption and, critically, its ability to scale in parallel with Okaidi's business growth.
The receiving, storage, picking, packing and shipping functionality of Manhattan Associates' Warehouse Management solution for Open Systems has enabled Okaidi to significantly improve its operational processes, particularly inventory management. Within three months of going live, Okaidi achieved a 10% productivity gain at its two facilities.
Manhattan Associates' Trading Partner Management solution, currently being rolled out by Okaidi, is a Microsoft-based solution that facilitates the exchange of real time information between trading partners via the Internet, providing transparency in the movement of inventory across the supply chain.
Given the optimised supply chain model that Okaidi has created in Europe with Manhattan Associates' Integrated Logistics Solutions, Okaidi intends to replicate the model during 2005 at two logistics centres in China and Dubai, to help Okaidi exploit the potential of the Middle East and Far East regions.
"Successfully managing growth is a complex challenge for any company, particularly in an international development context," commented Frederic Gerard, logistics director at Okaidi. "We consider a robust supply chain infrastructure a key component of our expansion strategy, and so the creation of an optimised model in one region that can be replicated anywhere in the world was regarded as a crucial aspect of our growth plan. With Manhattan Associates' Integrated Logistics Solutions, we have reached this goal, and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Manhattan Associates team as we build out our operations in the Middle East and Asia regions.
"Okaidi's aggressive plan to roll out our Warehouse Management solution for Open Systems and our Trading Partner Management solution in three regions within the space of a few years is testament to Okaidi's vision and strategic planning for the future," said Henri Seroux, Director of Manhattan Associates France. "Additionally, the first phase of the roll-out will lay the groundwork for Okaidi's future implementations of Manhattan Associates' Integrated Logistics Solutions. Our Warehouse Management solution for Open Systems and Trading Partner Management solution will provide Okaidi with complete visibility into its business, both inside the distribution facilities and across the supply chain."
About Okaidi
Okaidi is an apparel retailer, specialising in clothing for children between 0 and 14 years of age. Becoming independent in 1996, when it was spun off from the Camaieu group, the company has since taken off and has experienced a sustained period of growth. Launched as a brand in 2000, Okaidi has become a prominent player as a value-clothing retailer, marketing an original range of practical childrenswear. The retail format guarantees a service quality that is second to none. With this mission in mind, the company began its international expansion in 2001 and by 2004 had over 300 retail outlets, of which 60 are abroad (Europe, Lebanon, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, New Caledonia). The company employs 1200 people and recorded a euro 220m turnover in 2003. For more information about Okaidi, visit http://www.okaidi.fr/ .
About Manhattan Associates
Manhattan Associates, Inc., is the global leader in providing supply chain execution and optimisation solutions. It enables operational excellence through its warehouse, transportation, distributed order management, reverse logistics and trading partner management applications, as well as its RFID, performance management and event management capabilities. These Integrated Logistics Solutions leverage state-of-the-art technologies, innovative practices and our domain expertise to enhance performance, profitability and competitive advantage. Manhattan Associates has licensed more than 900 customers representing more than 1,600 facilities worldwide, which include some of the world's leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers. For more information about Manhattan Associates, visit http://www.manh.com/ .
Manhattan Associates
