What does warehouse management look like in a company that turns over 15 million euros annually, serves thousands of B2B and B2C customers across Europe - and yet doesn't want to compete on price? We talked to Michal Filipec, director of TRANS-TECHNIK , about why logistics is a strategic topic for company management and how LOKiA WMS helps them with this.
Mr. Filipč, what does the company TRANS-TECHNIK do and what makes it unique?
TRANS-TECHNIK is currently focused on two main areas – the sale of fasteners and body components. This year we celebrated 30 years of existence, so we have already achieved something.
We started in 1992 as a local company, but over time we have grown internationally. We have branches in Slovakia, Poland and Romania and currently deliver to practically all of Europe. But this growth has never been an end in itself – it has always gone hand in hand with how well we can serve the customer.
When you mention the customer, what role do logistics and warehousing play in the overall philosophy of the company?
Trade is in our company's DNA. Even though we manufacture and store, we still maintain what the company grew on – quick response, flexibility, and the ability to deliver everything to the customer in one place.
Nowadays, however, it is no longer enough to just buy a warehouse and equip it with quality shelves. If you don't want to compete only on price, you have to offer quality service . And that very quickly breaks down precisely in logistics - whether the customer receives the right goods, on time and without complications.
What does this mean in practice for warehouse management from the perspective of company management?
From a management perspective, a warehouse is primarily a business tool . We monitor warehouse turnover because it is one of the key performance indicators of a company. Of course, we also address profitability, but without well-functioning logistics, no numbers would fit in the long term.
Today we work with approximately 15,000 stock cards , which in itself places high demands on the organization. We have chemical products with expiration dates, we have to adhere to FIFO or LIFO . All these are things that are not visible from the outside, but the customer will quickly recognize their management.
When did you realize that the warehouse couldn't continue without a smart system?
The main impetus was the error rate in the warehouse . These were not disasters, but mistakes, minor errors in picking that hindered us in what we consider to be key - quality customer service .
At a certain point, it was no longer about the people or the effort. It was clear that without a system that set clear rules and processes , we would not move forward. So we started looking for a solution.
Why did you ultimately choose LOKiA WMS?
At that time , LOKiA WMS offered us a comprehensive solution that met not only our internal needs, but also the services we wanted to provide to customers.
For example, the packaging and loading modules played a big role, which we couldn't find at all in the competition at the time. For us, it wasn't just "warehouse software", but a tool that helps us maintain the quality of service from order to shipment.
What specific changes have you noticed after implementing the system?
There has clearly been a significant reduction in picking errors . Although the system has not yet completely replaced manual counting of pieces, we have clear data showing a year-on-year decrease in complaints.
For management, it is mainly important that we have accurate numbers and an overview . We do not deal with feelings, but with specific data that we can rely on when making decisions.
What impact do you think LOKiA WMS has on customer relations?
Essential. We have hundreds, maybe thousands of active customers who order from us occasionally. But as they say – 20% of customers make up 80% of turnover . For us, it's about ten key partners.
And it is with these customers that reliability is most evident. If they know they can rely on you, they come back. And we can count on their orders in the long term and plan the entire business better.
What specifically do customers appreciate the most?
Ultimately, these are "ordinary" things - correct picking, clear packaging, flawless loading, the ability to track the shipment . For the customer, this is standard, but for a company without well-established processes, it is a huge challenge.
LOKiA WMS helped us automate and guarantee these services, not just promise them.
Who would you recommend LOKiA WMS to?
For all companies that see the warehouse as part of a long-term strategy . If you want to build a stable business, satisfied customers and have control over what is really happening in the company, systematic warehouse management is essential .
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