Enhancing logistics centre operations with ABeam Consulting

In 2025, Vietnam's logistics industry is experiencing significant transformations, making it an even more attractive hub for global companies.

The industry has seen impressive annual growth rates of 14-16 per cent, and Vietnam ranks 43rd globally in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI).

Major investments in technology, green logistics, and large-scale logistics centres are driving this growth. The country's seaport system has also seen substantial development, with major ports in Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau being upgraded. These advancements are creating a robust environment for international companies to relocate their logistics centres to Vietnam.

Selecting the right logistics hub is just the first step. To enhance decision-making, companies are increasingly leveraging Digital Twin technology. This advanced simulation tool helps businesses analyse warehouse locations, transportation routes, and cost scenarios, enabling data-driven site selection and logistics network optimisation.

However, once a location is selected, a new challenge arises–how to efficiently develop or reform the logistics centre itself. Many companies still rely on manual processes, leading to inefficiencies, high costs, and operational risks. This is where ABeam Consulting provides end-to-end support, addressing strategic planning, automation, and vendor coordination to help companies optimise their logistics operations. Our approach aligns with the unique challenges of the Vietnamese market, including workforce availability, land acquisition complexities, and rising automation trends.

Challenges in logistics centre development

Despite rapid advancements in Vietnam’s logistics sector, many companies still rely on manual logistics processes, leading to inefficiencies, higher costs, and quality inconsistencies. One of the most difficult challenges is the reliance on experience-based operational design rather than data-driven methodologies, which results in inconsistent warehouse operations. Additionally, companies frequently struggle to validate the effectiveness of warehouse layouts and workflows before implementation, causing frequent design modifications that disrupt overall efficiency.

Cost concerns are another major issue. Businesses often make large investments in equipment and automation without a clear return-on-investment analysis. In many cases, property selection, operations, and technology adoption are heavily influenced by vendors rather than being driven by business needs. This lack of strategic cost assessment makes it difficult for companies to justify investments to stakeholders.

Vietnam’s logistics sector also faces delivery challenges, such as project execution delays due to skill shortages and coordination difficulties among multiple stakeholders. Many companies experience rework and bottlenecks because operational risks are not addressed early enough. Additionally, communication gaps between warehouse developers, system integrators, property owners, and construction firms often lead to misalignment in execution.

To address these challenges, ABeam Consulting follows a structured, data-driven approach to developing and renovating logistics centres in Vietnam. ABeam Consulting's process begins with defining a clear vision based on the company’s business strategy. The company helps businesses set capacity targets for storage and handling, assess investment feasibility, and make informed decisions on whether to operate in-house or outsource to third-party logistics providers.

Ensuring high productivity is a core focus. ABeam Consulting introduces automation and material handling solutions tailored to Vietnam’s labour market conditions. Since labour costs remain competitive, companies must carefully evaluate the right balance between human resources and automation. ABeam Consulting's approach considers warehouse workflows that optimise human-robot collaboration, reducing dependency on manual processes while maintaining flexibility. Standardising business processes also helps ensure long-term operational efficiency.

Effective project execution is crucial, especially in Vietnam, where logistics infrastructure projects often involve multiple stakeholders, from government agencies and property developers to technology providers. ABeam Consulting manages project execution, monitors progress, and facilitates communication among all parties involved. By proactively identifying risks and maintaining alignment across different teams, ABeam Consulting helps companies avoid costly delays and inefficiencies.

Post-launch stability is another key factor. Many companies struggle with operational disruptions after transitioning to a new logistics centre. ABeam Consulting establishes contingency plans, ensuring that businesses can quickly address unexpected issues. The company's team also works closely with clients to track operational performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement continuous improvements.

Use Case: supporting a retail client’s logistics centre relocation

One of ABeam Consulting's retail clients faced a critical challenge when their existing distribution centre was handed over, requiring a complete operational migration. Over the years, their internal logistics processes had become fragmented, making it difficult to design a flexible and efficient loading operation. Additionally, they lacked clear criteria for selecting a new location based on labour availability and rental costs. Another major concern was evaluating whether to continue managing logistics in-house or outsource to a 3PL provider.

ABeam Consulting worked closely with the client to streamline their operations. The company's team first organised their existing workflows and analysed loading tasks to identify inefficiencies.

The company then defined warehouse capacity requirements based on projected volumes and helped the client establish operational policies. To support decision-making, ABeam Consulting conducted a thorough evaluation of in-house versus outsourcing options, gathering proposals from 3PL providers and benchmarking cost-effectiveness.

The results were significant. Through detailed cost comparisons, the client ultimately decided to retain in-house operations due to the financial advantages. ABeam Consulting developed six warehouse layout models, incorporating automation technologies such as robotic warehouses, modular sortation solutions, and dynamic allocation systems. By integrating these solutions, the client was able to optimise resource allocation and reduce workforce dependency, achieving an estimated 22 per cent reduction in personnel costs.

Enhancing logistics operations through human-machine collaboration

Vietnam’s logistics industry is evolving rapidly, and companies that optimise their logistics centres will gain a competitive edge. ABeam Consulting provides a structured, data-driven approach to logistics centre development, integrating Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), AI-driven insights, and automation technologies to improve efficiency.

By focusing on optimised space utilisation, resource management, and human-machine collaboration, ABeam Consulting helps businesses streamline warehouse operations through route optimisation, dock reservation integration, and automated scheduling. ABeam Consulting's expertise in equipment/robot control and indirect operations optimisation ensures that companies can reduce dependency on manual processes while enhancing productivity.

"Successful logistics centre optimisation requires a balance between automation and human operations, strategic planning, and proactive risk management to achieve long-term efficiency and cost savings," said Yoshihiro Wake, lead consultant responsible for the global expansion of the Supply Chain Management business at ABeam Consulting, and Supply Chain Practice lead at ABeam Consulting Vietnam.

If a company is planning to establish a new logistics centre or relocate an existing facility, ABeam Consulting is here to help. With the data-driven approach and deep expertise in Vietnam’s logistics landscape, ABeam Consulting provides tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure seamless execution.

ABeam optimises supply chain digitalisation With over 40 years of expertise in supply chain digital transformation and business operations in the Asia Pacific region, ABeam Consulting has created a new approach that utilises data management to ensure the optimal deployment of resources of firms on the digital transformation journey.

ABeam Consulting Vietnam introduces BSQCD Purchasing Strategy Framework In November, ABeam Consulting Vietnam introduced the innovative BSQCD Purchasing Strategy framework – a comprehensive solution designed to help Vietnamese manufacturers build resilient, sustainable, and efficient supply chains.

ABeam Consulting introduces 'process mining' to Vietnam ABeam Consulting is introducing advanced 'process-mining' technologies tailored for Vietnamese firms, addressing the complex challenges of digital transformation and helping businesses navigate the rapidly changing market dynamics.