Miebach Drives ZF Aftermarket’s Logistics Transformation from Strategy to On-Site Execution

Accelerating Growth with a Smarter, More Agile Distribution Network

ZF Aftermarket, the aftermarket division of the global technology company ZF, bridges the gap between today's and tomorrow's needs by delivering what workshops, distributors, and fleets require across the board. By leveraging extensive experience and specialized knowledge, ZF Aftermarket provides innovative solutions through its deep and broad portfolio of trusted brands ZF, LEMFÖRDER, SACHS, TRW and WABCO. These maximize Uptime – and thus boost productivity, reduce waste, and drive business performance. After multiple acquisitions and network consolidations, ZF Aftermarket is operating from eight distribution centers across Germany resulting in mounting complexity and a lack of flexibility, limiting the company’s ability to meet evolving market demands.

From Strategy to Action: Miebach Delivers a Future-Ready Network

To tackle these challenges, ZF Aftermarket partnered with Miebach in 2021 to rethink its network strategy. The result? A data-driven recommendation to establish a new central distribution center in the Carlsbad region of the Czech Republic, positioned to optimize service levels and streamline operations.

Once the optimal location was identified, Miebach moved swiftly to secure a ready-to-use warehouse that met ZF Aftermarket’s exact specifications. By leveraging its strategic partnership with real estate expert JLL, Miebach helped ZF Aftermarket bypass the lengthy land acquisition and construction process, cutting the project timeline by nearly two years. The real estate owner’s flexibility allowed ZF Aftermarket to customize the facility’s interior, ensuring a perfect fit for their operational needs.

Smart Warehouse Design: Finding the Right Balance Between Automation & Flexibility

Beyond securing the site, Miebach played a key role in designing the warehouse concept, ensuring an optimal mix of automation and operational agility. Given the location in Czechia, Miebach’s Polish team took the lead on detailed planning, tendering, and execution, combining local and regional expertise to ensure seamless implementation.

This project demonstrates how strategic planning and execution can transform supply chain operations,” said Dirk Rohde, Head of Automotive & Mobility Solutions at Miebach. "By focusing on efficiency, flexibility, and long-term scalability, we helped ZF Aftermarket build a future-proof logistics network.”

The Results: Faster, Leaner, and Scalable for the Future

Miebach has been a highly valued partner throughout this transformation," said Everton da Silva, Global Operations Excellence Director at ZF Aftermarket. "Their ability to translate our strategic vision into actionable solutions, combined with their hands-on support, has been instrumental in reshaping our logistics network. This collaboration has set the foundation for a more agile, scalable, and future-ready supply chain”.

With the support of Miebach’s expertise, ZF Aftermarket enhanced its logistics with:

• A simplified, more efficient distribution network
• A significantly reduced timeline due to leveraging a ready-to-use warehouse
• A strategically located CDC with room for future expansion
• A customized warehouse design that balances automation with flexibility
• Cost savings of up to 2% while boosting operational efficiency

And the journey doesn’t stop here. Miebach continues to support ZF Aftermarket, in ensuring their network remains scalable, resilient, and ready for the future.