UnityStep AI Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Issei Saito; hereinafter "UnityStep AI"), a startup originating from the Matsuo Lab at the University of Tokyo, and Rengo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; Representative Director, President and COO: Yosuke Kawamoto; hereinafter "Rengo") have begun a demonstration project to optimize product storage using shipment performance data, with the aim of shortening loading time during shipment of corrugated cardboard base paper at Rengo's Tonegawa Plant.
In this demonstration, demand forecasting will be performed based on shipment performance data, and a product placement plan that is expected to improve the efficiency of truck loading will be created through mathematical optimization. The placement plan will be implemented on-site, and its effectiveness will be verified. Through this, we aim to reduce the burden on drivers and establish data-driven criteria for product placement decisions.
■background
The application of limits on overtime work for truck drivers has brought to light the so-called "2024 logistics problem," requiring shippers to reduce waiting and loading/unloading times. Rengo is working on DX (digital transformation) in logistics to promote "white logistics," which makes it easier for drivers to work and increases productivity.
As part of this initiative, Rengo and UnityStep AI have begun this demonstration project to review product placement using shipment performance data.
■Demonstration Overview
In this demonstration, Rengo's on-site expertise will be combined with UnityStep AI's demand forecasting and mathematical optimization technologies to analyze and predict shipping trends for each product based on actual shipping data, and to create product placement plans. The created placement plans will then be implemented at Rengo's sites, and both companies will verify their effectiveness.
■Future developments
Both companies will use the results of this demonstration to expand the range of products covered and to review product storage locations in the future. In the future, they will also consider linking it with production planning and vehicle dispatching, and horizontally deploying it to other business sites, and will continue to advance initiatives using AI and data to optimize the supply chain, including from production to shipment.
■comment
Yukihiro Moriguchi (Rengo Co., Ltd.) Deputy General Manager, Paper Technology Development Division）
We believe that reducing waiting and handling times is a crucial responsibility for us as a shipper. We have been promoting DX (digital transformation) in logistics with the aim of creating a more productive and employee-friendly logistics environment. In this demonstration, in addition to our previous efforts, we will focus on optimizing product placement using data. In collaboration with UnityStep AI, we will utilize our on-site expertise and shipping performance data to verify the efficiency of loading operations. We intend to use the results of this demonstration to improve our future operations.
Issei Saito (Co., LtdUnityStep AI Representative DirectorCEO）
We are very pleased to be working with Rengo Co., Ltd. to optimize product placement. In manufacturing logistics, the decision of where to place products significantly impacts the efficiency of loading operations. In this demonstration, we will leverage Rengo's on-site expertise and UnityStep AI's demand forecasting and mathematical optimization technologies to address everything from product placement considerations to on-site verification.
First, we will verify the effectiveness of this demonstration and use the results to improve operations at our logistics sites.
■Rengo Company Profile
Company name: Rengo Co., Ltd.
Business details:
1. Manufacturing and sales of corrugated cardboard, corrugated cardboard boxes, paper containers, and other paper products.
2. Manufacturing and sales of paperboard (corrugated cardboard base paper, white cardboard, paper tube base paper, etc.)
3. Manufacturing and sales of flexible packaging products and cellophane.
4. Manufacturing and sales of heavy packaging products and resin processed products.
5. Sales of packaging-related machinery
6. Manufacturing and sales of various functional materials.
7. Manufacturing and sales of nonwoven fabrics and paper packaging machinery, transportation business, etc.
Company website URL:https://www.rengo.co.jp/
