Most cement logistics teams are still running the same way they did 15 years ago. Operators check levels by climbing silos or calling customers. Data lands in a spreadsheet, and decisions get made based on estimates.
It's a process that is not only time-consuming but also prone to human error.
A missed check or miscommunication, and suddenly you're dispatching trucks on short notice, paying overtime, and explaining delays to clients.
With connected sensors and cloud technology, companies can monitor silo levels 24/7, automate replenishments, and plan deliveries more accurately than ever before.
This is the reality SiloConnect was designed to fix.
In many markets, logistics operations still spend between 4 and 6 hours per week on manual level checks and reporting. That's hours spent on phone calls and spreadsheet updates, not on planning or route optimisation.
Operators often climb silos or call customers to estimate remaining stock. Measurements are inconsistent, delays are frequent, and decisions are reactive.
This creates three recurring problems:
On average, an unplanned truck dispatch can cost €300–400 in additional operational expenses (fuel, downtime, overtime). When multiplied by hundreds of trips per year, these inefficiencies represent a hidden cost that directly impacts margins.
Unlike radar or ultrasonic sensors that measure the level inside the silo, SiloConnect uses an external strain-measurement approach. A sensor is mounted on one of the silo's metallic legs and captures the micro-deformations that occur under load.
This deformation reflects the actual weight of the stored material. SiloConnect's AI algorithms, patented by Nanolike, learn and adapt to the unique behaviour of each silo over time, accounting for its geometry, installation conditions, and environment.
The result: reliable, stable monitoring without intrusive installation and without any maintenance.
Key technical advantages:
“Attach, drill, connect: that’s it. SiloConnect was designed to make installation fast, simple, and safe.” says Sebastien Applanat, Head of Sales at Nanolike
Rather than reinventing the wheel, SiloConnect makes silo monitoring smarter and simpler, turning complex logistics data into actionable insights. Not with unrealistic precision, but with dependable, decision-ready information.
Once data becomes reliable and continuous, logistics shifts from reactive to anticipated. Teams can:
“With 24/7 visibility, you move from firefighting to foresight,” explains David Poirot, Product Director at Nanolike.
In deployments across Europe, connected silo monitoring has helped reduce emergency deliveries by up to 50% and improve route efficiency by 15–20%, based on results from Holcim France, Spain, and Greece.
Before SiloConnect, Holcim France's logistics team had limited visibility on stock levels and relied on frequent calls to plant operators to negotiate delivery slots. After deployment, 24/7 fill level data enabled proactive scheduling and a more even distribution of deliveries across the day. Morning deliveries before 9 a.m. dropped from 34% to 28%. Afternoon deliveries more than doubled, from 9% to 21%.
Fewer trucks are needed for the same volume. Less congestion at peak hours. Clearer planning windows for drivers and dispatchers.
In Mexico, SiloConnect helped Holcim manage logistics across remote areas where manual checks were both costly and impractical. Results included an 11% reduction in logistics costs per ton and a 51% decrease in delivery waiting times.
"What began as an innovation quickly became our new logistics standard," says Juan Ignacio Chiesa, Logistics and Distribution Director at Holcim Mexico.
Eliminating manual checks reduces the need for operators to climb silos. That's a direct safety improvement, not a side benefit.
In addition to safety, the consistent availability of data significantly changes how logistics teams operate on a daily basis. Dispatchers have reported fewer late calls, smoother scheduling, and a more balanced workload throughout the day, which reduces the pressure on drivers. There are also fewer last-minute changes, leading to lower turnover rates in teams that typically work under constant urgency.
Cement logistics no longer needs to rely on estimation. Connected monitoring turns data into action, delivering measurable gains in efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
Based on deployments in France, Spain, Greece, and Mexico:
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