A logistics benchmark built on growth and complexity
Founded in 1948, Luís Simões is one of the leading transport and logistics operators in the Iberian Peninsula, supporting complex supply chains across Spain and Portugal.
Today the company employs 2,456 people, manages more than 2,000 vehicles and operates a logistics network covering close to 400,000 m² of warehouse space across Iberia.
As a multi-client logistics provider, Luís Simões manages operations for many different customers simultaneously, each with its own processes, business rules and service requirements. Across its Iberian network, the company picks, packs and ships around 25 million units each year.
“We are a multi-client company. That means complexity. Every client has different rules. Our system must be flexible enough to adapt.”
To support this complexity and continue scaling its operations, Luís Simões selected Hardis WMS as the next-generation platform for warehouse management across its Iberian network.
The need for a more agile, configurable platform
For more than two decades, Luís Simões successfully operated with a legacy WMS that had been progressively enhanced to meet growing client requirements.
However, over time:
- Maintenance effort increased
- Internal developments became heavier
- Configuration agility became more constrained
- The architecture limited long-term scalability
The objective was not simply to replace a system. It was to enable:
- Greater configuration flexibility
- Standardisation without heavy customisation
- Reduced internal maintenance effort
- A platform capable of supporting long-term growth
“We wanted a solution that could grow with us and reduce the effort required to maintain and evolve the system.”
Why Hardis WMS stood out
Luís Simões conducted a structured market consultation, reviewing several global WMS providers before narrowing the selection to a final shortlist.
The decisive differentiators were not only technical. Hardis WMS stood out for:
- Depth of parameterisation and configuration capability
- Ability to handle multi-client environments
- Clear product roadmap and regular system evolution
- Modular architecture
- Openness to collaboration
But equally important was cultural alignment. “We were looking for a partner, not just a supplier.”
While larger global vendors were evaluated, Luís Simões valued Hardis’ willingness to engage collaboratively and evolve the standard product alongside operational realities.
From the outset, Luís Simões selected Hardis WMS with key modules including automation integration, labour management and co-packing functionality, ensuring the platform could support both current and future operational needs.
Implementation: controlled, phased and operationally driven
Implementation began in early 2024. To date, five logistics centres have gone live, including Guadalajara, the largest site in Iberia.
The rollout has been phased and highly autonomous.
“Our teams are very autonomous. Even in our largest site, we required only limited initial support. After that, we managed the rollout internally.”
Operational adoption has been rapid. Floor-level users quickly adapted to the system, with training measured in hours rather than days.
The most significant change has been managerial rather than technical.
Previously, supervisors operated within the system. Today, they manage through it.
“Coordinators are no longer working inside the system. They are managing the system.”
This shift has transformed the role of operational leaders, moving from transactional input to proactive flow management.
Measurable operational impact
Although migration is still ongoing and legacy systems remain in parallel in some locations, early impact is clear.
Increased picking productivity:
Luís Simões has recorded a measurable increase in picking productivity across implemented sites.
Strong service continuity:
Despite transitioning systems, customer service levels have remained stable, with deviation below 1% even during the rollout of the largest site.
Improved competitiveness:
By strengthening productivity and operational control without service disruption, Hardis WMS helps Luís Simões remain competitive in an increasingly demanding Iberian logistics market.
Greater operational visibility and control:
Supervisors now have clearer insight into:
- Flow volumes
- Dispatch schedules
- Resource allocation
- Wave prioritisation
This has significantly increased delivery confidence.
“We now have much more confidence to say we will deliver on time. And if there is a delay, we know earlier.”
Strategic outlook: building a platform for the next phase
As the phased rollout continues, the long-term objectives include:
- Gradual reduction of legacy system dependency
- Lower internal maintenance effort
- Greater cross-site operational alignment
- Continued productivity optimisation
Luís Simões views Hardis WMS not as a static solution, but as a platform capable of evolving alongside the business.
“We see Hardis as a long-term partner who can evolve with us as our operations continue to grow.”
As logistics complexity increases and operational models continue to evolve, working with a partner that collaborates and adapts remains central to Luís Simões’ long-term strategy.