Schaeffler opens new Logistics center in Kitzingen
The Schaeffler Group has inaugurated its new European distribution center “EDZ Mitte” in Kitzingen, Germany. The center is used to ship products from Schaeffler’s industrial division to the European market and to the regions. Miebach Consulting was responsible for the planning of the material flow technology and of the construction of the new central warehouse and supported Schaeffler in the tendering and awarding as well as in the realization.The global automotive and industrial supplier’s aim is to increase the market supply, the reliability and the performance of the deliveries with the help of the European distribution network and thus further increase customer satisfaction. For example, Schaeffler's standard products can be delivered to customers in Europe within 24 to 48 hours after receipt of order. It is also possible to accept and dispatch a customer order up to two hours before the delivery truck’s departure. In addition, Schaeffler meets special customer requirements such as shipping the goods in containers or the customer's own packaging. Exceptional sorting processes are possible as well as the marking with recipient-specific labels.This was solved by a high-performance system consisting of a high-bay warehouse, an automated small parts warehouse and workplaces of various functions, which implement the principle goods-to-person. Here, the employees receive the goods to be processed automatically and sequenced to their workplace. Likewise, finished goods are automatically conveyed from the workplace."Due to the product specifications in terms of weight, it was necessary to find a technical material flow solution that would meet the ergonomic demands of handling the products. As a solution, heavy as well as light articles from different sources, both containers and pallets, are processed in sequence at the workstations. Ergonomically, the employees receive the best possible support through adapted unloading heights and lifting aids such as grippers and suction cups "- says Michael Körbitz, Principal, Miebach Consulting.In addition to the technical concept, project management also played an important role in the success of the project: "The construction of the entire facility took place in a very ambitious time-frame and required a close connection both within and between the main sections construction, material handling and IT departments. The result is impressive and was visible to all participants at the opening"- says Christian Bauersfeld, Principal, Miebach Consulting.
In October 2016, the groundbreaking ceremony for the “EDZ Mitte” took place on the 148,000 square meter site in the conneKT technology park in Kitzingen. The development comprises a 38.5-meter-high high-bay warehouse with space for 28,000 euro pallets or 56,000 Düsseldorfer pallets and an automatic container warehouse with almost 95,000 storage spaces. The loading aids are transported by an electric floor conveyor system including the latest conveyor technology with a length of more than 2,000 meters. Up to 85 trucks can be loaded and unloaded daily on 20 ramps. With a base area of around 17,000 square meters, the logistics area in the partially two-story warehouse has a floor space of around 25,000 square meters.
An insight into the new distribution center can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_lMLUXJCfc
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