BLG Logistics: Smart logistics with a future

BLG Logistics developed the ultra-modern returns warehouse in Frankfurt in five months. Today, it takes just five seconds to process an order. Instead of walking for miles, the BLG team works at ergonomically designed Stargate workstations. A computer system instructs the carriers which shelves to fetch for order picking. The employees receive clear selection instructions on screen and scan the goods. In this way, returned items are stored and retrieved at lightning speed and the available storage space is used efficiently.

System can be moved at any time

A particular highlight is its mobility: the system can be relocated or resized at short notice at any time. In this way, BLG reacts flexibly to volume fluctuations at the customer and offers a customized concept at all times.

BLG Logistics, together with its customer engelbert strauss, was the first company in Europe to put the robot-assisted storage and picking system into practice. The modern interface between humans and robots was awarded the German Logistics Prize 2015 and the European Logistics Prize of the European Logistics Association.

Contract logistics in Europe and overseas

Customized solutions for industry and SMEs are the strengths of BLG Logistics. The group of companies has its core competencies in automotive, contract and container logistics. BLG offers fully integrated logistics system services in these three business areas. Every day, around 8,700 employees take responsibility for the smooth logistics of high-quality products.

Train by train from the warehouse to the rails

BLG is responsible for supplying the Siemens Mobility Division in Krefeld in the areas of body shell construction and assembly. The handling of components up to 28 meters long requires tailor-made concepts and the purchase of a range of special equipment and systems. A semi-automatic yoke storage system, which offers major advantages in terms of warehouse capacity utilization and warehouse handling, was specially designed and built for BLG in this size. Five overhead cranes run on rails in the aisle of the long parts hall. A complex technical system ensures that the cranes do not start to vibrate when moving off - similar to container gantry cranes. BLG also relied on computer simulations when planning the 31,000 square meter logistics center. After all, the Krefeld site is concerned with nothing less than the precise delivery of supplies for the manufacture of large rail vehicles.

In the Contract division, which also includes the Frankfurt logistics center, BLG offers all services along the supply chain for goods as diverse as car doors, rims, sneakers, furniture, kitchens, bathroom fittings, railroad components and frozen potato products. The logistics specialist stores, delivers, packs and unpacks and processes conventional orders, online orders and returns. BLG works for strong retail brands in logistics centers and special warehouses at over 40 contract logistics locations in Europe and overseas. Customers include major German and many international car manufacturers, for whom BLG is also active in the USA, South America, South Africa, China and Eastern Europe.

Smart projects

The future of logistics is smart: intelligent products ensure even greater transparency and efficiency. The topic of Industry 4.0 is being pursued at the highest level at BLG and is being tested and implemented in various projects. The company has identified seven key areas, with the focus on IT integration, networking and autonomy. The use of modern technologies is being launched in pilot projects with partners from business and science. Together with Bosch, BLG Logistics is currently working on a project in which smart containers make the transportation of goods even more transparent.

The newest member of the group of companies, BLG Sports & Fashion Logistics in Hörsel, uses pioneering technology to perfect the logistics for hanging and flat goods. Covering an area of more than 160,000 square meters, BLG Sports & Fashion Logistics processes 40 million items of merchandise every year. The range of services extends from procurement, quality control, preparation and warehousing to order picking and shipping. Specially developed RFID labels are used for labeling goods. This means that the stores know exactly which goods they will receive the next day. They also benefit from faster goods receipt, less inventory work, seamless goods security and error-free replenishment.

Contact:BLG Logistics Group AG & Co KG 28203 Bremen Tel.: 04 21 / 3 98-33 91 E-Mail: [email protected]www.blg-logistics.com