The nutraceutical sector for food supplements is experiencing exponential growth, but competing effectively requires operational agility and absolute precision. Nutraceutica, a company based in Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO) specializing in the selection and marketing of active ingredients for health and well-being, has demonstrated this with extraordinary results: following the implementation of Stesi’s silwaSUITE WMS, productivity per worker increased by 25%, logistical complaints plummeted by 79%, and storage capacity nearly tripled, moving from 400 to 1,100 pallet positions.
The project: total digitalization for 1,500 references
With a catalog of approximately 1,500 active references and a network of 600 customers in Italy, Nutraceutica needed a system capable of managing complexity, volumes, and the maximum precision required by the nutraceutical sector. The choice fell on silwaSUITE, the Supply Chain Execution platform developed by Stesi, which allowed the Emilian company to radically transform its logistical processes.
As Eric Zabiolle, Managing Director of Nutraceutica, points out: “The food supplement market is growing strongly, but it is also highly fragmented and increasingly demanding in terms of service. In this context, equipping ourselves with tools that allow us greater operational agility is fundamental.”
“We are proud to be among the first to have introduced this approach in our sector, with the goal of offering an even more efficient and structured service to our customers.”
⁓ Eric Zabiolle, Managing Director, Nutraceutica
The results: numbers that speak clearly
The implementation of the silwaSUITE WMS generated measurable and immediate benefits:
- +25% productivity per worker: by eliminating redundant operations, optimizing picking routes, and automating flows, each operator can fulfill more orders in the same amount of time, reducing operating costs and increasing overall production capacity;
- -79% logistical complaints: the complete digitalization of processes and the elimination of manual errors led to a drastic drop in complaints related to warehouse operations. More structured management means fewer errors, fewer problems with customers, and higher satisfaction;
- from 400 to 1,100 pallet positions (+175%): intelligent warehouse mapping and space optimization nearly tripled storage capacity, allowing Nutraceutica to manage growing volumes without having to further expand the physical structure;
- precision up to the fourth decimal place: the integration of the scales with the WMS eliminated weighing errors, guaranteeing precision up to 0.0001 grams. This is fundamental in the nutraceutical sector, where even minimal variations can compromise the quality of the final product.
Specific challenges of nutraceutical sector logistics
The sector of ingredients for supplements presents unique complexities that make digitalization not only advisable, but necessary:
- Batch traceability and FEFO expiry management: every batch of plant extract, probiotic, or amino acid must be tracked with absolute precision. The WMS guarantees automatic FEFO (First Expired, First Out) rotation, preventing waste and always ensuring product freshness.
- Portioning in controlled atmosphere rooms: Nutraceutica has six rooms with controlled atmosphere and hygiene where powders are picked, weighed, and repackaged in the required quantities. Digitalization eliminated paper sheets from the cleanrooms, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring maximum hygiene.
- Flexibility and reduced MOQs: unlike large distributors, Nutraceutica stands out for its reduced MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) and personalized batch management. The WMS allows for the management of this complexity without sacrificing efficiency, but rather increasing it.
As Fiorella De Sandre, Key Account at Stesi, explains: “The first goal was to eliminate paper transcriptions, which are no longer acceptable in the new digitalized process. This favors batch traceability and allows for better expiry management, optimizing the control of warehouse residues. Furthermore, it ensures more efficient portioning of raw materials and the automation of manual processes, such as weighing and label printing.”
A model to export: the Sparkfood Group pilot project
Nutraceutica is part of the Sparkfood Group, which aims to replicate this model of logistical excellence in other European countries, starting with Germany. The success of the Italian project thus becomes a benchmark to be exported, demonstrating that a digitalized, efficient supply chain compliant with international standards represents a strategic asset for conquering new markets.
Stesi thus confirms its expertise also in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors, where precision, regulatory compliance, and zero errors are essential requirements. The silwaSUITE WMS adapts to the specificities of every industry, guaranteeing measurable results from the very first months of activity. Since 1996, Stesi has been at the side of businesses to transform supply chain complexity into a competitive advantage. If you also want software that adapts to the specific needs of your company, let’s get in touch: we will guide you to the solution that suits you best.
