Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli GmbH is one of the most innovative and creative manufacturers of premium chocolates, based in Aachen, Germany. Lindt & Sprüngli has six production sites in Europe, two more in the USA and sales companies on four continents.
viaLogs projects with Lindt & Sprüngli
Distribution analysis
The challenge
There were three main factors that made Lindt’s distribution structure extremely complex:
- Lindt’s high standards for its own service level in terms of delivery time and freshness
- High peaks due to seasonal goods
- Cooperation with a large number of different logistics service providers(LDL).
The task
Lindt commissioned viaLog to conduct a distribution study. The aim was to identify optimisation opportunities along the entire supply chain.
The solution
viaLog developed a comprehensive optimisation concept with four key points:
- Reduction of peaks
The reduction of massive peaks must be the target for the entire supply chain. Key measures include the integration of the annual and seasonal business as well as short-term, flexible coordination of delivery dates. - Determining the exact trading requirements
Lindt places the highest demands on its own delivery service. Coordinating with retailers on the level of service that is actually required reduces the workload. - Refinement of the distribution structure
A differentiated distribution scheme for annual goods on the one hand and seasonal goods on the other is complex but effective. The design was refined in several points: decision on push or pull strategy, parameterisation, reporting, etc. - Optimisation of communication
Many difficulties result from a lack of coordination between individual process steps or process participants and an inadequate overview of the entire distribution process. Regular meetings and IT-side integration provide a remedy here.
The highlights
Many logistics service providers, one point of contact Lindt works with a large number of logistics service providers. Contracts, interfaces and service levels must be agreed individually. In the event of difficulties, negotiations with a wide variety of contacts are necessary.
viaLog recommended the use of a single service provider acting as a general contractor. The advantages include
- Minimising the number of negotiating partners
- Focussing investments on a single IT interface
- Introduction of harmonised service standards
viaLogs projects with Lindt & Sprüngli
Warehouse concept and master plan
viaLog was commissioned to develop a warehouse concept and a master plan for the Aachen site.
viaLogs projects with Lindt & Sprüngli
New construction of a warehouse for packaging material
viaLog has been working for Lindt & Sprüngli for many years and has now been commissioned to develop the concept for the design of a new compact warehouse for packaging materials and to put this furnishing technology out to tender on the market.