in harmony with Sony:

arvato partners with Sony Music to create highly efficient distribution service

"In a fast moving and ever changing physical market, the supply chain experience, expertise and flexibility offered by arvato has enabled Sony to meet and often exceed the requirements and expectations of our customer base. We value our long standing relationship with the arvato team."

Paul Curran, Chief Operating Officer, Sony Music

Partners since 2005

challenge: to integrate Sony distribution business

Sony Music, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, includes some of the most prestigious and successful record labels in the recording industry. Sony Music decided to outsource its distribution and commercial services operation to tap into the expertise, scale and specialist resources of arvato.

solution: rapid innovation

As part of a business review, in June 2009 arvato and Sony Music decided to relocate its distribution to arvato’s state of the art distribution site in Milton Keynes. This move was designed to integrate its business with other major music companies currently distributed from the Milton Keynes site.

the solution included:

The latest warehouse management technology and commercial services:

• Working together with Sony Music, arvato developed commercial and logistical systems to streamline services and provide Sony’s customers with a one-stop shop, increasing technological integration with Sony’s key accounts

Customer order merging:

•  In response to changes in customer needs, arvato developed an order merging system to allow Sony’s customers to receive product in fewer parcels, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of deliveries and allowing the stores to process their deliveries in a more efficient manner

Document management system:

• To help manage the administration for Sony’s customer base, arvato developed a document management system which allows interrogation and management of all customer queries whilst adhering to complex audit requirements

successes: delivering in a constantly evolving customer environment

• arvato’s distribution expertise and industry knowledge is used to enhance Sony’s relationship with its major customers
• Sony Music is able to focus on core business – the development and promotion of artists
• Highly invested distribution operation, with enhanced customer services, using the latest warehouse and distribution technology
• Flexible costs for distributions
• Scalability – working with one of the UK’s largest entertainment distribution and fulfilment businesses

services:

• Distribution and storage
• Reverse logistics
• Customer Services
• Key Account Management
• Credit and Accounts Receivable Management
• Promotional material mailing

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