The demand for logistics services is continuously increasing. This is also the case in the Upper Palatinate, where the ZIEGLER GROUP has expanded its logistics offering to include warehouse logistics services within a very short time. In setting up the professional 3PL contract logistics, the REMIRA DILOS warehouse management system proved to be a valuable support.
For many years, the ZIEGLER GROUP has been offering its customers logistics services for sea freight as well as rail and truck transport. In addition, the company maintains, among other things, a former railroad site in Wiesau with a 125,000 m² intermodal container terminal. Trains depart daily from here to the most important German seaports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven. The company also has its own fleet of vehicles with currently 150 trucks of the latest generation.
The goal: Expanding the value chain
Due to increasing requests from long-standing logistics customers for storage and parking space, the company decided to expand its value chain with its own warehouse and additional logistics services in 2019. "The aim was to offer customers from the region full-service warehouse logistics," explains Manuel Forte, warehouse manager at Ziegler Logistik GmbH. Thus, a modern logistics center was built within a very short time in Wiesau, which is conveniently located for transport and in the immediate vicinity of the container terminal of the ZIEGLER GROUP. This laid the foundation for the new business division. The first customers wanted to move in immediately.
The search: Software for logistics services
It quickly became clear to those responsible in Wiesau that the planned logistics services could only be handled professionally and economically with software support. Accordingly, the search for a warehouse management system that would also enable the company to control the entire logistics services business area in the long term began. "At the beginning, we handled the processes with Excel, which of course repeatedly led to problems due to the complex interrelationships in the warehouse," reports Manuel Forte. To select the warehouse management system, the Ziegler team conducted a market analysis and made visits to other companies. "We got to know DILOS at one of our customers. The wide range of functions and the flexibility that the software offers convinced us very quickly," says Manuel Forte.
The integration: During operation
After the decision in favor of DILOS, the implementation of the warehouse management system began promptly. The biggest challenge resulted from the previously existing processes. At that time, the ZIEGLER GROUP was already working for its first customers. Within a very short time, the warehouse management system now had to be introduced during ongoing operations. "We already had goods in the warehouse, but no system yet," explains Manuel Forte. "This caused a lot of effort in terms of inventory and entering all the master data. After all, at the same time we had to continue managing the warehouse for our customers." The integration of the warehouse management system in live operation succeeded - without any warehouse downtime and without any disruptions for the customers. The DILOS team provided important support by implementing interfaces and taking over most of the master data maintenance. Four months after the first contact, the system was already successfully up and running.
On an area of about 10,000 m² with high racks and a 2,000 m² block storage area, the company stores goods for currently six customers. The logistics center houses around 700 different items - from packaging materials, fiberglass and decorations to cooking pots, bicycle components and clothing. "For most customers, we act as an independent external warehouse," explains Manuel Forte. "We implement all processes from incoming goods to picking and packing with additional services to outgoing goods. We then supply our customers' customers throughout Germany."
The result: All logistics processes in one system
The ZIEGLER GROUP handles all warehouse services from goods receipt to goods issue with DILOS. Around 500 pallets are handled every day. The multi-client capable system sends the orders directly to the tablets, which are mounted on the warehouse vehicles, and thus controls the route-optimized picking. All invoicing is also done via DILOS. The system is particularly appreciated by those responsible at ZIEGLER GROUP for its flexibility. "During the selection process, it was important to us that we can design the software in such a way that we always fully cover our customers' wishes," explains Manuel Forte. "DILOS offers all the functions we need for our full-service warehouse logistics. This was also a great support when it came to structuring our services."
The future: Equipped for further growth
For the future, the ZIEGLER GROUP plans to expand the connection to customers' systems with additional interfaces. The aim is to further increase the efficiency of the processes in order to generate further growth in the field of contract logistics. "The logistics expertise of the DILOS team also helps us to classify our ideas and then implement them in practice. We are sure that with the warehouse management system we are also well equipped for further growth."
Facts
- Family business with 1,500 employees
- 500 million euros in sales in 2020
- 18 locations
- 500 pallets are handled per day
