The Diesel Technic Group is one of the largest suppliers of commercial vehicle spare parts in the Independent Aftermarket (IAM). The global network of subsidiaries and authorised sales partners ensures the local supply of spare parts and individual support for customers in over 150 countries. In addition to its headquarters in Germany, the Diesel Technic Group has subsidiaries in France, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Dubai and Singapore. The Diesel Technic Group employs more than 650 people from 30 nations worldwide.
Expansion of the central warehouse
Against the backdrop of steady growth, Diesel Technic SE worked with an architectural firm to plan the expansion of the plant in 2005. As part of this planning, it was decided to expand the logistics by 3,300 square metres of additional conventional space for goods handling and approx. 4,200 square metres for a high-bay warehouse.
The task
viaLog was commissioned to develop an optimised overall logistics concept. This included:
- Determining an optimal utilisation concept from a material flow and capacity perspective for the new and existing logistics areas (around 9,500 square metres in total)
- Proposed solutions for the use of optimised logistics technology and data processing for all functional areas of logistics at Diesel Technic SE (incoming goods, quality assurance, storage, internal transport, order picking and dispatch).
The solution
When discussing various alternative solutions, the only criterion for judgement was the added value for Diesel Technic’s customers. The aim of the consultation process was to plan with a sense of proportion: as much technology as necessary, as little as possible. The selected solutions in the area of logistics equipment technology guarantee a high degree of flexibility, including
- a pallet aisle racking system in the high-bay warehouse with approx. 6,500 storage locations
- Optimised vehicles to support employees during order picking
- Construction of a new shelving platform system with over 10,000 running metres of shelving
viaLog suggested the introduction of warehouse management software as an important component of economic processes. Modern technologies such as radio data transmission, pick-by-voice (control of employees by voice instruction), barcodes and scanners are utilised here.
The highlights
- Capacity: Capacity was increased by around 160 per cent.
- Dynamic: The dynamic potential has been increased by approx. 110 per cent.
- Storage technology:Robust but “state of the art” storage technology was installed.
- IT: viaLog created the prerequisites for the sensible use of a warehouse management system.
- Planning ahead: A master plan for the further development of the warehouse has been drawn up.
Concept planning for warehouse expansion
Following further strong growth, viaLog was commissioned to draw up a master plan for the long-term development of the site.
Warehouse expansion and new warehouse construction for the wholesale of commercial vehicle parts
The challenge
The above-average growth of the company also includes a strong expansion of logistics. viaLog has been supporting this growth since 2005. Earlier tasks included drawing up specifications and awarding contracts for the warehouse management system, an expansion concept for logistics and production and an extension to the existing logistics building. Due to the continuing growth, a new extension is required.
The task
Diesel Technic also relied on the advice of viaLog for the further expansion of its storage and production capacities. Two tasks formed the cornerstones of the new development stage:
- the restructuring of existing areas
- the conceptual design, detailed planning and tendering of the new warehouse and the conveyor technology required there
The solution
viaLog designed a new, 18-metre-high narrow-aisle warehouse with 7,000 pallet spaces, invited tenders for the installation technology and supervised the implementation. An extension and the conversion of an existing warehouse created further additional space. A master plan ensures that the company’s logistics can continue to expand in the future.
The highlights
- Future-proof: The master plan provides for a 300 per cent increase in reserve space and picking areas.
- Change of use: The wide-aisle pallet warehouse with 6,000 pallet spaces realised in 2006 was converted into an order picking warehouse for fast-moving items. High-lift order picking vehicles are used there.
- Expansion: By building over the shipping extension, 18,000 running metres of shelving were created on four floors. In addition, 8,000 square metres of additional incoming goods and production space were created.
- Optimisation: Shelf levels and packing workstations are connected via container conveyor technology and pallet conveyor technology to optimise the material flow.
Planning and realisation of a warehouse extension
From its headquarters in Kirchdorf, south of Bremen, the company distributes spare parts all over the world. Together with viaLog, Diesel Technic fundamentally expanded and optimised the warehouse in 2007 and 2011. Following further growth in recent years, the warehouse’s capacities (static and dynamic) have been exhausted again.
In order to map future growth and maintain efficient and economical intralogistics, Diesel Technic entrusted the logistics planners at viaLog with the planning and realisation of a warehouse expansion at the Kirchdorf headquarters in the areas of logistics equipment technology and warehouse management system. In addition, viaLog supports the interface coordination between the areas of equipment technology and construction.