New logistics concept for Husqvarna CEE network ... - Geis Group

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6 | top StorY Solar logiSticS with geiS International solar technology group SunPower relies on Geis‘ concentrated logistical energy for its solar logistics within Germany. SunPower is considered the world-leader in the development of high-efficiency solar modules, and distributes its products all around the world (see info box). Such a high-flying company naturally requires a reliable and flexible logistics partner in Europe. Consequently, the NASDAQlisted company opted for the European contract logistics cooperation Logistics World Alliance (LWA) in August 2008. It includes seven powerful European logistics service providers and combines under one roof comprehensive sector expertise, knowledge of regional markets, and flexible warehousing and transport solutions (see info box, page 7). „We were looking for a European logistics partner with precisely this type of profile“, says Nicholas Hyner, SunPower RLC EU Operations Manager. The LWA partner for Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia is Geis. Thanks to the close integration of its Road Services and Logistics Services divisions, the Geis Group is able to provide top-notch logistics services for the high-tech products of SunPower within Germany. sophisTicaTed TransporT logisTics. From Rotterdam, LWA partners convey the goods to their European distribution centres, located in Milan, Lyon, Nuremberg, and elsewhere. Transporting solar components is no easy task because the solar modules are very fragile and highly sensitive. The goods conveyed also include articles for final assembly such as cables and spare parts. „Transporting the sensitive and in some cases bulky freight safely calls for knowledge, circumspection, sensitive handling and special equipment“, says Hans-Peter Schneider, Managing Director of the Logistics World Alliance. SunPower Photo: Istock / LL28 The US group, according to its own statement, has been designing, manufacturing and delivering the planet’s most powerful solar technology broadly available today for the past 25 years. SunPower is considered the worldleader in the development of high-efficiency solar solutions, with SunPower solar modules supplying up to 50 percent more energy than conventional modules. Today SunPower calls four continents home, serving utilities, commercial, and residential customers across the globe.
flexible sTorage and disTribuTion. Storage of the goods also calls for sensitivity and a high degree of flexibility. All new warehouse locations are initially operated using the cross-docking system. Later on, when the market has stabilized, flexible warehouses are set up. One example of a flexible warehouse is Geis‘ warehouse in Nuremberg, where SunPower‘ solar modules and accessories and, as of late, marketing material too are stored. The entire warehouse is completely turned over twice a month. At the end of each cycle, demanding handling peaks are encountered, with Geis employees having to deal with a high volume of goods, both inbound and outbound. During these times, everything needs to run like clockwork. Each product has a serial number, which is recorded during entry scanning, and picking is voucherless using local IT systems. As soon as the solar components leave the warehouse, the Nuremberg warehouse‘s outgoing-goods processing system informs SunPower of the serial numbers that are on their way to each customer. Sun- Power‘s customer service department then passes on this information to its customers‘ upstream dealers, so that they can start with the preparations. „Providing this advance notice is especially important, as the modules have to be installed in series for optimal electricity generation“, says Werner Dettenthaler, Geis Site Manager in Nuremberg. Once out of the warehouse, Geis also takes care of delivery within Germany - including right up to the doorstep if necessary. „Some of SunPower‘s customers live in very remote places. Despite this, Geis always delivers on time. Geis drivers also always call customers in advance as part of our standard service“, explains Geis Managing Director Dr. Johannes Söllner. „As soon as the solar products have been handed over, a message is sent to SunPower on the same day confirming delivery.“ clever added-value services. Without reliable IT systems, international procurement, intermediate storage at partner sites and Europe-wide distribution would be next-to-impossible tasks. For this reason, the IT systems used by the LWA partners are linked to each other and to SunPower‘s system. „For SunPower and its customers this means maximum transparency and exact preparation because we display all status information in real time“, explains Dr. Johannes Söllner. „The system can also be flexibly expanded.“ Geis‘ added-value services to SunPower don‘t end there, however. Alongside clever IT solutions, our service portfolio also includes preassembly of solar modules out of more than 80 individual components, and if a solar module needs to be replaced following a complaint, Geis implements its so-called „Swap Service“, with the faulty components exchanged for new components, and the original components returned to the supplier. Geis also stands out on account of its expertise in the area of packing services. The group has developed a new kind of packaging that enables individual solar panels too to be sent securely. „We consider it important that we not only fulfil SunPower‘s requests and requirements, but also that we continually expand the range of services offered to them. We are therefore also planning to significantly increase the size of our Nuremberg warehouse in the near future, specifically for SunPower“, says Dr. Johannes Söllner. „Together with our LWA partners, we want to provide SunPower with the best-possible service, and thereby provide a place in the sun for as many solar modules as possible.“ — www.sunpower.com Photo: BSW-Solar top StorY | 7 Logistics World Alliance the logistics World alliance (lWa), which is based in luxembourg, was founded in March 2006 and offers customers europe-wide contract logistics services. its cooperation partners include aditro logistics, Bibby distribution, the geis group, log Service europe, MgF logistique, p&o Ferrymasters and redur. the cooperation partners operate more than 300 sites across europe and have access to almost two million square metres of storage space. together they employ around 18,000 people and generate an annual turnover of more than 2.1 billion euros. the latest technology: solar-cell manufacture is highly-specialized
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New logistics concept for Husqvarna CEE network ... - Geis Group

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