NAUT Group: we understand our clients’ needs and deliver practical solutions

At first glance, you have a wide range of services. What connects these areas and how does this model benefit the client?

They are linked by a very practical logic. In reality, a client rarely addresses just one need. Most of the time, he needs warehouse, distribution, data, execution in retaile and, more and more often, e-commerce to work together. This is where our model is beneficial to the client. We connect areas that are separate for most vendors and therefore the client otherwise has to deal with them across multiple partners. At NAUT Group, we look at it holistically as one functional unit and look at how to set it up in a way that makes sense operationally and commercially. For the client, this means fewer interfaces, less complications and a more functional collaboration model. Where a conventional logistics partner or niche firm ends up with the answer “we don’t do that”, we look for a solution and set up a practical model that fits what the client needs today and in the next phase of growth.

In what areas does NAUT Group most often assist clients today and how would you briefly describe these services?

The most common areas are logistics, e-commerce, POSM management, sales support and audits & data. In logistics and fulfillment we help clients with warehousing, picking, distribution, returns and overall management of goods flow. In e-commerce, it’s about connecting orders, warehouse processes, integrations and operations so that the entire model works reliably even as we grow. POSM management includes warehousing, picking, distribution, installation as well as management of POS and POP materials. Sales support covers merchandising, sales support and field people management. Audits & data is about collecting, reviewing and evaluating market and operations data so the client can make faster and more accurate decisions.

What advantages does the location of your warehouse and fulfillment centre in Green Park Piešt’any bring to your clients?

Our warehouse infrastructure covers three markets from optimal positions. In the Czech Republic we have a warehouse in Prague, in Hungary we have a warehouse in Budapest and in Slovakia we operate a warehouse in Green Park Piešt’any. This is a modern class A warehouse on a major transport route with good connections to the motorway network. At the same time, it is also conveniently located for neighbouring countries, which is important not only for business in Slovakia, but also for regional distribution. In fulfilment, this advantage is very practical. Thanks to the linehaul set up to neighbouring countries, we can move shipments to local hubs and then deliver them within a given market within 24 hours. This is a major difference to normal export shipping, where such delivery is in most cases unrealistic or significantly more expensive. Today we serve Hungary and the Czech Republic in this way and are gradually expanding to Poland and Austria.

However, the advantage of this location is not only in e-commerce fulfillment. It is equally important for classic logistics, distribution of goods and POSM management. For POS and POP materials, promotional equipment or logistics, it is not only the storage itself that is decisive, but also the ability to quickly and reliably ensure picking, distribution and installation in the field. For the client, this means that they are not just getting warehouse space, but a logistics facility ready to support multiple types of services.

Both retail and logistics have been struggling with a shortage of people for a long time. Why does outsourcing make sense today and what can it bring to clients in addition to building everything in-house?

Companies today are dealing with two things at once: they need people and they want to optimise costs. Outsourcing solves both and adds additional value. However, from my point of view, flexibility is key. When a brand decides on a campaign, we can cover the whole network in a short time. Once it is over, we can transfer the capacity to another project. It would be very difficult for a retailer to manage this internally without massive hiring and subsequent layoffs. At the same time, our people bring expertise that the firm does not normally build internally. A person who works in Tesco, Kaufland and independent stores on a daily basis and on multiple projects has a completely different perspective than a person who only knows one network. This experience is then given to all our clients.

Today, however, people are no longer enough. People and technology together are the key. We use our own modular WMS, a Stock Management Tool to manage POSM movement and a people management application in the field through which we can collect a wide range of data from operations. This gives the client an overview of what is happening in the stores without having to go there in person. We collect, analyse and deliver the data in a form that enables quick decision-making. Outsourcing is therefore not just about cost reduction. It’s also about allowing the retailer to focus on what it does best and leave the operations to a partner,
who is fully dedicated to it.

Many retailers with brick-and-mortar operations are considering entering e-commerce. What can you help them with and where do they make the most common mistakes?

The most common mistake is that companies perceive e-commerce only as the launch of an e-shop. In reality, it is a whole new operating model. Orders, warehouse, picking, packing, shipping, returns, reporting, customer experience, integrations between systems and data handling all need to be addressed. We at NAUT Group can help in just that, so that the client doesn’t just build an e-shop, but a functional process. We don’t see e-commerce as a sales channel alone, but as an interconnection of operations, logistics, systems and customer experience. Therefore, we can help the client from process design through integrations, logistics and fulfi llment to operational setup so that e-commerce works for them in practice.

What types of clients are using your services today and which collaborations best demonstrate where NAUT Group is a strong partner?

NAUT Group works with clients from a range of segments, from large international brands to smaller firms and growing projects that need to reliably address a specific part of their growth or operations. Publicly cited references include Mondelez, Mattoni 1873, Red Bull, British American Tobacco, Groupe Seb, Mars, Danone, Fiskars, etc. At the same time, we also work with smaller and dynamically growing companies such as Bencos, distributor of Symprove probiotics, or Vitapop, producer of probiotic soda, which are currently very interesting segments.

However, it is not only the client’s name that is important to us. What is important is that we can understand their need and turn it into a comprehensive and practical solution. This, in my opinion, is the greatest value of NAUT Group.