Schäflein takes over logistics for Bosch Automotive Steering in Berlin

Schäflein AG has opened a 13,000 square metre logistics centre for Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH in Kremmen near Berlin. The logistics service provider is responsible for procurement and finished goods logistics as well as container management for the automotive supplier’s plant in Berlin-Reinickendorf.

After the new logistics contract was awarded at the end of January 2019, Schäflein had to restructure inbound and outbound logistics as well as container management and replace the previous service provider after a lead time of less than five months. Due to the fact that the logistics hall would only be vacated one month before the go-live, the project teams from Schäflein and Bosch used a shared project room at the Berlin plant. “As a result, we worked very closely together over a period of three months and were able to make important decisions directly in face-to-face discussions – a fact that certainly contributed to the rapid realisation of the project,” agree Thomas Eberle, Project Manager at Schäflein, and Ulrich Krenz, Project Manager at Bosch Automotive Steering.

Together, the project team implemented a logistics system optimised for the automotive supplier’s processes and developed the necessary interfaces between the ERP and warehouse management system. After the logistics hall finally became available at the end of April, Schäflein quickly reorganised the container management system and installed a modern washing system with a maximum capacity of 600 small load carriers, blister packs and lids per hour. The logistics centre went into full operation on 1 June 2019.
“The speed and quality with which the project was realised was really impressive,” says Mirko Behlau, Head of Logistics for the Berlin plant at Bosch Automotive Steering. “We feel that we are in very good hands and are delighted to have found the right partner for this challenging task.”

Comprehensive logistics solution

Bosch Automotive Steering produces steering pumps for passenger cars and commercial vehicles at its Berlin plant. Especially in the passenger car aftermarket, production is characterised by small quantities, a wide range of variants and dynamic demand. Schäflein receives the necessary components and raw parts from 180 suppliers from around 25 different countries in the procurement process. In the logistics centre, they are put together as required and brought to the automotive supplier’s plant just in sequence using six synchronised shuttles. As part of the production disposal process, the logistics service provider transports the finished parts back to the logistics centre and organises collection by the OEM’s regional forwarders. At the same time, Schäflein’s container concept ensures optimised space utilisation on the production line. The empty containers are professionally cleaned in the logistics centre and sent back to the suppliers as individual packaging sets.

In the 13,000 square metre logistics centre, Schäflein takes care of procurement and finished goods logistics as well as container management.