Logistics service providers
Partnership across national borders
Even when it comes to logistics, internationally active companies have to meet the requirements of different national markets. Different framework conditions meet the special features of local markets. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics provides logistics services for the Viessmann Group in several European countries. Complete, damage-free and punctual delivery to customers always has top priority. This requires efficient and reliable logistics processes and regular monitoring of delivery quality. The different logistics requirements in the various national markets must also be taken into account. Despite the ever-increasing standardization of logistics services, there are still differences and peculiarities, especially in the transport of general cargo, FTL, LTL and parcels, which can differ from the German market.
As a manufacturer of heating, industrial and cooling systems, Viessman has an international focus. The family-owned company has its headquarters in Allendorf (Eder) - cira 35 kilometers north of Marburg. Group turnover amounts to 2.2 billion euros, 56 percent of which is generated abroad.
Two partners - three markets
The collaboration between Viessmann and Hellmann began in spring 2011, when Hellmann took over the operation of the Northern Regional Warehouse for Viessmann in Germany. In May 2012, the distribution center in Lichfield, UK, was opened and a year later the cooperation was extended to the Polish market.
There are some differences in the logistics processes due to customer requirements that vary depending on the country and regional market. Viessmann products are stored at three locations in Germany: Viessmann manages one location itself, while the other two are operated by service providers.
From Hanover directly to the construction site in northern Germany
At the Lehrte site near Hanover, Hellmann has a multi-client warehouse with a total area of over 70,000 square meters for warehousing and needs-based deliveries to customers in the immediate vicinity as well as deliveries to transshipment points in northern Germany. Direct delivery to the construction site or the heating company is also carried out from here. Due to the special requirements and the very large volume of consignments, Hellmann handles all transportation for the customer Viessmann itself. Thanks to perfectly and seamlessly coordinated processes, predetermined delivery dates can be guaranteed. Efficient processes in the warehouse and optimum control of the warehouse/transport interface are essential for meeting delivery deadlines.
Different customer structure in the UK
Viessmann products are also stored in the UK and then delivered to British Viessmann customers from the Lichfield warehouse. Due to the different customer structure compared to the German market, wholesale supplies are also handled in the UK. Deliveries are made via a general cargo network. Hellmann handles the warehouse replenishment transports from the plant in Allendorf, Germany, to Lichfield, England.
In Poland, the Hellmann warehouse from which the Viessmann products are shipped to their final destinations is located near the capital city of Warsaw. Here, too, Hellmann is responsible for the entire transport management and uses its own Polish general cargo network for this purpose. As an additional service, the dates are sometimes coordinated directly with the customers based in Poland.
As different as the conditions in the respective countries, the differing logistical requirements in the warehouses and during transportation and the complexities of the supply chains may be - in the end, one standard applies: logistical efficiency. It is also the basis for the successful cooperation between Viessmann and Hellmann.
"Go to Gemba": always in the process of improving processes
For years, both companies have been pursuing very similar approaches, whose common roots are anchored in the Kaizen concept developed in Japan and perfected by the Toyota automotive group, which provides the basis for the so-called "Continuous Improvement Process" (CIP).
Here, Viessmann and Hellmann pursue the same approach to the constant and continuous improvement of both their internal and joint processes. The process puts people at the center. Employees who are involved in the processes on a daily basis know them best and know where the weak points are. It is important for the company to make use of this knowledge and turn those affected into participants. Employees must be given the freedom to incorporate their findings into the improvement process, or as Dr. Hans-Ullrich Förster, Managing Director of Viessmann Logistik International GmbH says: "Employees look for improvement potential at their workplace - every single working day". Viessmann and Hellmann are exploring this principle in workshops, both jointly and internally. The aim is to go to the place of action ("go to gemba"), learn from each other and thus continuously improve.
Ralf Thiesse
Contact:
Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG 35108 Allendorf (Eder) Tel.: 0 64 52 / 70-0 E-Mail:
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics GmbH & Co. KG 49090 Osnabrück Tel.: 05 41 / 6 05-0 E-Mail:[email protected] www.hellmann.net
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