John Schilli is the Director of Transportation at Henkel Consumer Brands in North America, bringing over 23 years of extensive experience across various facets of the supply chain. His career spans roles in Customer Operations, Marketing, Procurement, Warehousing, and Transportation, providing him with a well-rounded perspective on the industry. John is committed to driving continuous improvement, developing high-performing teams, and implementing efficient and sustainable business models.
Henkel holds leading positions in both industrial and consumer businesses: the portfolio includes well-known hair care products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners as well as adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings.
My career in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry spans over 23 years, a journey grounded in a solid educational foundation. I earned an undergraduate degree in Business Logistics and International Business from The Pennsylvania State University, followed by an MBA from Fordham University. Throughout my professional journey, one element has remained a constant: transportation. Whether I was managing a class of customers in a supply chain capacity, ensuring the smooth flow of materials to factories, or leading a large cluster of warehouses, transportation has been at the core of my ability to operate successfully.
Looking ahead, the transportation industry faces several challenges, including rising costs, inflation, driver shortages, and the push for sustainability
Today, I lead the transportation area for Henkel Consumer Brands in North America, a role that not only leverages my past experiences but also positions me to navigate the evolving landscape of the transportation industry. This role allows me to bring together my expertise in logistics, supply chain management, and strategic planning to drive efficiency and innovation within Henkel’s operations.
Significant Trends and Technology Advancements in Transportation
One of the most significant trends shaping the transportation landscape today is sustainability. As the world becomes more conscious of environmental impacts, the transportation sector is exploring various fuel alternatives and electric vehicles. There's also a growing focus on optimizing transportation modes to reduce emissions. At Henkel, we are deeply involved in these efforts, experimenting with different approaches to sustainability and integrating them into our operations wherever possible. We recognize that our role as a key player in the FMCG industry comes with a responsibility to lead by example in reducing our environmental footprint.
Looking ahead, the transportation industry faces several challenges, including rising costs, inflation, driver shortages, and the push for sustainability. From my perspective, these challenges require proactive strategies and a willingness to adapt.
The Role of Technology at Henkel
At Henkel, we have initiated several key actions to address these challenges. One of our primary goals is to be known as a "Shipper of Choice." We place great emphasis on treating our drivers with dignity and respect at our facilities, ensuring low dwell times, offering key amenities, and fostering a collaborative atmosphere. It’s important to us that Henkel facilities are optimal destinations for the drivers who serve us. Additionally, we strive to create commercial initiatives that ensure fairness with our carrier partners. By building efficient network designs and maintaining ongoing communication, we aim to enhance performance and keep our carrier partners well-informed about key Henkel information. Our recognition by FreightWaves as a Shipper of Choice is a testament to our progress in these areas.
We also take a modular approach to sustainability, working on multiple fronts to reduce emissions. This includes exploring different uses of rail, collaborating with carrier partners who invest in alternative fuels, and evaluating the potential of electric vehicles in our operations.
At Henkel, technology plays a crucial role in our transportation operations. Our Transportation Management System (TMS) was selected with a clear focus on driving standardization across the company. This platform is well-regarded in the industry and was chosen for its fit with our business, its ability to provide a standardized approach within the company, and its robust reporting visibility and audit trail. These considerations were essential in ensuring that the TMS not only meets our current needs but is also scalable for future growth.
Advice for Adopting Emerging Technologies in Transportation
For others looking to adopt emerging technologies and approaches in transportation, I offer the following advice:
• Alignment with Business Operations: It’s crucial to assess how new technologies will fit within your existing business model.
The goal is to enhance operational efficiency, so the chosen technology should integrate seamlessly with your processes.
• Effective Change Management: The success of any new technology or approach hinges on well-thought-out change management strategies. Investment in this area is critical and will determine whether the initiative succeeds or fails.
• Gradual Implementation: When investing in new technologies, start small and scale up as the business case becomes clearer. Approaches that allow for iterative adjustments are likely to be more successful in the long term.
The transportation industry is at a pivotal moment, with sustainability and technology driving significant changes. By staying ahead of trends and addressing challenges with strategic initiatives, I believe we can not only navigate the complexities of this industry but also contribute positively to its evolution.
