Sportswear Manufacturer Puma Relies on TMS Winsped from LIS

The manual verification of freight invoices ties up valuable resources and is prone to errors – a challenge that PUMA wanted to address at its headquarters in Herzogenaurach. The company employs 22,000 people worldwide and generated annual revenue of 8.8 billion euros in 2024. Its global logistics network spans 120 countries.

(Greven/Herzogenaurach) The distribution of goods requires a correspondingly complex system with high demands for efficiency and transparency. To automate the verification of freight invoices in particular, PUMA Central Europe and PUMA Retail opted for the Transport Management System (TMS) WinSped from LIS Logistische Informationssysteme GmbH. In use since February, it enables system-supported invoice verification, automatic storage of freight rates, and quick identification of discrepancies. The result: Already in the first expansion phase, increased transparency and a noticeable time savings provide relief in day-to-day operations.

At the global headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Marco Amling works in wholesale sales for Central Europe: “Through our trading partners, we serve the market comprehensively – with correspondingly high volume and frequency.” A smooth, transparent, and scalable logistics system is crucial to reliably supply major customers as well as numerous sports clubs with the complete product portfolio.

To efficiently manage the commercial side of these processes, PUMA sought an automated solution for freight invoice verification. The goal was to be able to verify incoming invoices for goods flows of this magnitude faster, more accurately, and in a more scalable manner. “We rely not only on transparency and automated processes in the physical flow of goods in our distribution centers but also in the commercial processing,” explains Amling. After careful market analysis, the sports company chose the web version of the Transport Management System (TMS) WinSped from LIS.

Digital Solution for Freight Cost Control

At the beginning of the year, PUMA Central Europe and PUMA Retail receive the freight rates from the freight forwarders, broken down by destination countries and postal codes. This amounts to about eight to ten incoming invoices per week, in which the transport costs for around 600 shipments are bundled. It must be checked, for example, whether the billed costs for a certain number of pallets in a specific region were correct. With the introduction of WinSped, this process is largely automated. The provided freight rates and various additional costs – such as for notification, storage, or a second delivery – are standardly stored in the system. Upon receipt of a freight forwarder invoice, an automatic comparison is made with the previously stored conditions. The software checks whether the invoice is correct and displays any discrepancies. In case of inconsistencies, clarification is made with the responsible freight forwarder. In this way, the software from LIS ensures significantly higher efficiency and transparency in the billing process.

In addition to functionality, the flexible adaptability to PUMA’s requirements was also decisive for the decision in favor of the LIS solution. “WinSped works very reliably in practice, so we want to integrate the system even more broadly into our processes in the future,” says Amling, who is responsible for the implementation of the TMS on the PUMA Central Europe side. So far, the system is primarily used for verifying the freight invoices of a central freight forwarder in the wholesale sector, where the largest shipment volume occurs. However, another freight forwarder in the retail segment, responsible for supplying PUMA stores across Europe, is already connected to the system. “In the medium term, we plan to integrate additional freight forwarders into the automated invoice verification and use further modules, such as shipment tracking,” says Amling. The goal is to gradually use WinSped as a comprehensive platform for transport processing and control that is used across departments.

Quick Help, Clear Communication, Stable Technology

When the new TMS goes live for PUMA in February, Amling has already gone through an intensive introduction phase into the system. “The implementation phase was accompanied by two fixed contacts from LIS, who not only impressed with their professional expertise but also with their quick response time, reliability, and open communication,” says Amling. The collaboration was always pleasant and cooperative.

WinSped also scores points in terms of user-friendliness: The interface is clearly designed, and the system is stable and reliable. Currently, the tool is used by central employees in the area of invoice verification, and an expansion to other colleagues is planned through internal training.

Efficiency Gains with Perspective

Since the introduction, the working method in freight invoice verification at PUMA Central Europe and PUMA Retail has changed significantly: Verifications are increasingly automated, processes are standardized, and sources of error are minimized. The automated comparison with the stored freight rates today ensures more transparency, faster processing times, and better traceability. Inquiries to freight forwarders can be clarified more specifically and efficiently based on clearly structured data.

“With WinSped, we have found a powerful solution that reliably meets our requirements and also offers room for future expansions,” summarizes Amling. “The operational coordination with LIS has been collaborative, solution-oriented, and characterized by a high degree of professionalism from day one. We see great potential in the system to further optimize our transport processes beyond freight invoice verification.”

Photo: © Puma / Image Caption: Puma Headquarters in Herzogenaurach