Highly efficient and automated central warehouse
The Weidmüller Group’s new distribution center, not far from Eisenach in the Eastern part of Germany, covers an area of 72,000 square meters. This investment represents an acknowledgment of Germany as a prime business location and will form the basis for state-of-the-art and innovative logistics. The new logistics center will be the global hub for all products. Weidmüller is revolutionizing its logistics with its new distribution center, largely automating the entire process. End-to-end digitization and networking will make delivery and customer service even more flexible.
We need to further optimize all supply chains to keep pace with the increasing dynamics of our market. Digitalization and networking play an important role here. Our new logistics concept will enable us to meet a wide range of requirements – from our suppliers’ shipments to our clients’ incoming goods – highly efficiently and with the right focus.
Key Facts
Client
Together with its customers, the Weidmüller Group is shaping the digital transformation – with products, solutions and services for Smart Industrial Connectivity and the Industrial Internet of Things.
The challenge
- Construction of a new state-of-the-art logistics site including outdoor landscaping
- Improve service levels and expand storage capacities
Solution
- Modern office building for a pleasant working environment
- Fully automated GtP picking, packing, shipping buffering and palletizing
- SAP S/4 HANA, SAP EWM/MFS (warehouse control including material flow)
io had the role of lead consultant, taking over concept planning, detailed planning, tendering and awarding, and implementation. A new shuttle warehouse and an automated silo-design high-bay warehouse with building and administration facilities improve the service level and expand storage capacities.
The new logistics center with goods receipt, storage, picking and packing, consolidation and goods dispatch features several interesting details. An elegant facade will reflect the Weidmüller brand and provide a light source for the operational areas. Visitors and staff can access the buildings via a memorable and impressive skywalk.
Photovoltaics and extensive outside landscaping will further underline the sustainability aspect.
Flexible logistics facility
io successfully planned the building as an integrated overall solution. 3D planning and visualization of the building and the technical components were key elements of the project. io was ensuring an extremely high degree of automation of the logistics processes, featuring a planned shuttle warehouse and automatic high-bay warehouse with automatic packaging, palletizing and depalletizing.
io’s flexible logistics design makes it possible to expand the administration, operational and warehouse areas at any time. Logistics is insourced to ensure high flexibility for client-specific processes, with the required space, technology, personnel and IT kept on site. IT is fully integrated, from SAP ERP to SAP EWM and MFS, right down to the control level.
Lead consultant io brought their extensive experience to bear and helped us achieve a smooth interplay of all disciplines, from logistics to architecture and IT. With their support, we created an innovative and expandable site, giving us as much flexibility to fulfill future requirements.
Full operations began in early 2023, after only two years of construction and implementation.
