University Hospital Zurich and Brändi Foundation win logistics awards

On November 28, 2018, GS1 presented the Swiss Logistics Award for the 23rd time. One of the winners was the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) with its new logistics and service center in Schlieren. This not only frees up space for the overall renovation of the USZ infrastructure and saves time and money thanks to sophisticated logistics processes. With the city logistics concept, it also relieves inner-city traffic. Based on the concept of Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) and taking into account successfully practiced concepts from retail and industry, those responsible developed a reference model for hospital logistics. The focus was on standardized processes and plannable procedures with low inventory levels while maintaining high availability. The logistics and service center therefore does not primarily serve as a warehouse, but rather as a hub for the flow of materials in and out of the hospital complex. Only about 10 percent of the goods are stored. More than 20,000 items are delivered in bundles to the various USZ sites without intermediate storage. Every day, over 700 recipients in 43 clinics and directorates are thus served with more than 12 tons of material.

Unique concept in a difficult environment

The jury of the Swiss Logistics Award sees the USZ Logistics and Service Center as a unique concept for the care of patients in a difficult environment. "Healthcare, as an important cornerstone of our society, is currently experiencing an enormous push in logistics topics, which testifies to a professionalization in this area," says jury president Hans Rudolf Hauri. The USZ's solution was also convincing because the central warehouse can handle all product groups, from medical products, including sterilization, to medications from the cantonal pharmacy and foodstuffs. In addition, the ECR approach was implemented to a depth that is rather rare in the healthcare sector, says Hauri. "Last but not least, the USZ has not only created the center for itself, but also wants to open it up to other players. This holds valuable savings potential against the backdrop of ever-increasing cost pressures in healthcare."

Brändi Foundation receives award for commitment to logistics

The Brändi Foundation has been successfully integrating people with a handicap into the logistics market for years. GS1 Switzerland honors this commitment with this year's Swiss Logistics Public Award. With 15 companies and around 1800 employees, the Brändi Foundation is one of the largest employers in Central Switzerland. On behalf of the Canton of Lucerne and the Disability Insurance Fund, it offers work, training and living places primarily for people with mental disabilities, physical disabilities and psychological impairments. Nine companies of the foundation are active in logistics. The modern infrastructure makes it possible to take over entire production chains or parts of them for customers. Individual orders from industry, commerce, administration or private individuals are also possible. With the Swiss Logistics Public Award 2018, the jury recognizes the commitment of the Brändi Foundation in the integration of workers in logistics. "The integration of people with disabilities into the work process and thus into society is an important task," says Hans Rudolf Hauri. "The Brändi Foundation makes a major contribution to this." The jury is sending an important signal with the award to the Brändi Foundation, because not only the contribution of the employees in the logistics process is worthy of an award, but also the internal logistics of the institution.

More information: www.gs1.ch/swiss-logistics-award