Optimize logistics processes

Process recording

Maximum transparency in your end-to-end logistics processes

Logistics processes extend into all areas of the company and play a central role in your company’s success. Do you have an overview of your current process landscape? And do you know exactly how your inbound, intralogistics or outbound processes work? As part of our logistics process management, we analyze your current processes and work with you to develop a tailor-made concept for the future.

Using comprehensive and specific basic analyses from our toolbox, we identify your fields of action. During process mapping, we systematically record all relevant processes along your value chain. We analyze your process data such as production orders or incoming goods data, carry out a material flow analysis and record your on-site processes. In doing so, we always focus on an end-to-end approach. In order to record individual process steps in sufficient detail, we involve relevant specialist departments and responsible persons.

Our service packages:

• Analyze the current status of your entire process chain
• Evaluate process data such as production orders
• Systematically analyze and present material flows
• Involve relevant departments and people
• Developing a future concept for your process landscape

Your benefit:

1. Holistic overview of your processes along the value chain
2. Verification of the as-is analysis
3. Action measures to optimize your process landscape

Inbound planning

Optimize your procurement logistics.

Procurement logistics ensures that the materials for your production are available in sufficient quantities and that you remain capable of acting. Efficient and target-oriented procurement logistics ensures a high level of supply readiness and keeps your costs as low as possible – thus enabling you to reduce your capital commitment.

We support the efficient planning of processes within procurement logistics. To do this, we analyze your delivery flows and your delivery structure and identify bottlenecks. In this context, we clarify questions such as whether you can distribute your deliveries over a certain period of time, whether deliveries with certain materials can be combined or how your buffer area should be dimensioned. As part of yard planning, we create an efficient and target-oriented traffic and material flow – from access to unloading the goods at the optimum unloading point.

Our service packages:

• Analyze deliveries and delivery flows
• Define the optimal design of your traffic flow
• Correctly dimensioning the buffer tank

Your benefit:

1. High supply readiness with low capital commitment
2. Fewer bottlenecks in the availability of your raw materials
3. Optimized yard planning

Intralogistics planning

Benefit from synergy effects with all adjacent areas.

Without structured, defined and target-oriented processes, the individual areas of intralogistics cannot be linked. This results in supply bottlenecks, high stock levels and low material availability. In extreme cases, orders cannot be fulfilled as a result.

To overcome these challenges, we identify weak points and potential in your processes in our intralogistics process analysis. Based on your future requirements, we develop intelligent and efficient logistics processes from goods receipt, storage and picking to goods issue. Our intralogistics planning ensures that all steps are optimally coordinated.

Incoming goods

In incoming goods, for example, we plan your unloading processes and optimally integrate quality assurance – either automatically or manually – into your material flow. We also analyze your deliveries and determine the economically optimal number of workers.

Storage and retrieval of your raw materials and finished goods

A central component of intralogistics is the warehouse and the associated storage and retrieval process. We make sure that your goods are stored in your designated storage location. For example, we use your order structure and performance data to analyze optimal storage (e.g. FiFo, LiFo, ABC structuring). In addition, we work with you to create the basis for the connection to your IT infrastructure. Sophisticated intralogistics planning helps to use resources efficiently and reduce storage costs.

Picking and consolidation

Picking takes over the provision of goods from your warehouse. Together with you, we examine what the optimum picking method for your value chain looks like: Is the “goods-to-man” or “man-to-goods” picking method more suitable for you? Should your goods be picked centrally or decentrally? And can orders be put together? We also analyze your data and processes in order to identify possible Kanban materials, for example.

Line supply and disposal

We also examine how you can optimally integrate your production lines into your process chain: What should the optimum level of automation look like? Are driverless transport systems worthwhile for your line supply or disposal? Which new and innovative solutions are suitable for your company? Can you centralize or decentralize your packaging processes?

Outgoing goods

As incoming goods has many interfaces with other areas of the company, it plays a role in securing the company’s existence and substance. It is therefore essential to continuously optimize and standardize it. We optimally integrate your outgoing goods into the value chain and create synergies between intralogistics and distribution logistics. Together with you, we analyze your processes and order compositions, plan the loading processes, dimension your pre-picking and buffer areas and integrate value-adding yard management.

Our service packages:

• Identify and exploit optimization potential in all areas of intralogistics
• Design the required areas and bearings for quality assurance (e.g. spear bearings or measuring equipment bearings)
• Examine and optimize inventory management, empties management and returns processing
• Determine the optimum storage and retrieval method
• Define the right picking type
• Analyze your order composition
• Determine the optimum degree of automation (e.g. driverless transport systems)

Your benefit:

1. Avoiding bottlenecks and increasing delivery capacity
2. Optimum connection of adjacent areas to the incoming goods process
3. Improved, efficient storage and retrieval process
4. Minimization of storage times
5. Efficient and value-adding order picking
6. Identification of Kanban items
7. Seamless connection of your production lines
8. Increased process reliability through automated solutions
9. Inventory reduction of finished goods

Outbound planning

Increase the performance of your distribution.

The aim of distribution logistics is to ensure that the right product reaches the customer at the right time, in the right place, in the right quality and quantity and at the right cost. Efficient and target-oriented procurement logistics make it possible to increase product availability, reduce your logistics costs and increase your service level, among other things.

We are happy to support you in profitably optimizing your distribution logistics. To do this, we analyze your route planning as well as your order structure and composition and uncover bottlenecks. For example, we examine whether orders can be compiled according to characteristics such as country, region or retailer. Within yard planning, we optimize the processes on your premises. In this way, we create an efficient and target-oriented flow of traffic and materials: from accessing and unloading the goods at the optimum loading point to leaving your premises.

Our service packages:

• Analyze and optimize your route planning and order structure
• Uncovering bottlenecks and potential
• Improve traffic and material flow within yard planning

Your benefit:

1. Improved product availability and delivery capability
2. Lower logistics costs
3. Improvement of key logistics figures such as the service level

Solutions for special logistics requirements

Implement industry-specific requirements along your process chain.

Do you have very specific logistics requirements for the processes along your value chain? For example, do your processes have to be designed in accordance with certain regulations or standards? We will work with you to find the right solution that is both state of the art and complies with current regulations and standards. With us, you gain a partner who will respond to your individual requirements in order to optimize your logistics processes in the best possible way.

In the electrical engineering sector, for example, we develop specific disposal concepts that take sustainability aspects into account. This industry can also benefit from our expertise in securing the ESD chain and customs clearance, for example.

Or we address the special requirements of hazardous goods logistics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. For companies in this sector, it is particularly important that relevant safety regulations are observed, special containers are used and staff are adequately qualified. We are also in tune with the times when it comes to refrigeration logistics: we find the regulations that are relevant to your processes among the various sets of rules, GMP/GDP, HACCP or VDI guidelines and create solutions tailored to them.

Our service packages:

• Creating tailor-made solutions for special logistics requirements
• Incorporate current rules, standards and regulations
• Optimize processes with regard to the relevant standards

Your benefit:

1. Improved transparency of your industry-specific processes
2. High process reliability along your process chain
3. Ensuring process quality

Top 5 methods for process optimization in logistics

Efficient logistics processes are not created by chance – they are the result of a structured analysis, clear objectives and proven methods. In order to create transparency, shorten throughput times and sustainably reduce costs, we rely on a methodical toolbox in logistics process management. Depending on the objectives, data availability and maturity level of your organization, we combine these methods to suit your needs.

1. process mining – data-based transparency of your logistics processes

Process Mining enables an objective, fact-based analysis of your logistics processes based on real process data from ERP, WMS or TMS systems. Instead of using assumptions or workshops alone, your actual process flows are visualized – including variants, loops, waiting times and media breaks. This enables us to identify bottlenecks, deviations from the target process and hidden inefficiencies along your end-to-end logistics processes.

2. material flow analysis – understanding routes, quantities and dependencies

The material flow analysis creates transparency about movements, quantity flows and interfaces in your inbound, intralogistics and outbound structure. By systematically recording and evaluating transports, warehouse movements and buffer points, we uncover unnecessary routes, duplication of work and capacity bottlenecks and create the basis for efficient layout and process design.

3. value stream mapping – holistic view of your logistics processes

With value stream mapping, we look at your logistics processes from an end-to-end perspective and consistently differentiate between value-adding and non-value-adding activities. The aim is to reduce throughput times, lower inventories and optimally coordinate information and material flows – from procurement to distribution.

4. simulation and scenario analysis – well-founded decisions instead of gut feeling

With the help of logistics simulations, we test future process variants, layouts or volume scenarios before they are actually implemented. Whether increasing production volumes, changing order structures or new automation solutions – simulations create planning security and significantly reduce investment risks.

5 KPI and key figure systems – controlling your logistics performance

A consistent KPI system is essential for the sustainable management and continuous improvement of logistics processes. We work with you to define relevant logistics KPIs – such as throughput times, inventories, service level or process costs – and anchor these in a transparent management model.

Our service packages:

• Selection and combination of suitable methods to optimize your logistics processes
• Carrying out process mining analyses based on your system data
• Material flow and value stream analysis along your end-to-end process chain
• Development and evaluation of future scenarios using simulation
• Development of a targeted KPI and control system for your logistics

Your benefit:

1. Objective transparency about your actual logistics processes
2. Identification of bottlenecks, inefficiencies and cost drivers
3. Reduction of throughput times, inventories and process costs
4. Sound decision-making basis for investments and automation
5. Sustainable optimization of your end-to-end logistics processes