At the start of June 2024, the Wacker Neuson Group put its new spare parts logistics centre in Mülheim-Kärlich, Germany, into operation after 1.5 years of construction. The state-of-the-art logistics site is strategically positioned between the Frankfurt am Main and Cologne/Bonn airports. It is, therefore, ideally located for connection to the international transport networks. In an area of 55,000 square meters, around 100,000 different spare parts for construction equipment and compact machines are stored. The warehouse in Mülheim-Kärlich will be the hub for the global spare parts distribution for the three core brands of the company: Wacker Neuson, Kramer, and Weidemann.
With its future-proof storage capacity, the new distribution centre will secure the basis for further expansion of the Wacker Neuson Group's spare parts and services business and thus support the company's long-term growth strategy. "The opening of our parts distribution centre in Mülheim-Kärlich is a decisive step towards becoming a long-term solution provider for our customers. Not only will spare parts be stored here but additional services will also be offered to optimise and further develop customer support," explains Andrew Voigt, Managing Director of Wacker Neuson Aftermarket & Services. "We are the partner on our customers' side for the entire lifetime of the machines and create sustainable relationships – beyond the sale of the machines and construction equipment."
Warehouse operations are highly efficient and have a strong degree of automation and digitalisation. This includes an automated small parts warehouse with over 30 robots and around 200,000 storage locations, a digital training platform and innovative shop-floor management. "Thanks to the central location and state-of-the-art warehouse technology, customers benefit from a significantly improved service, more flexibility in ordering times and an optimised transport network," explains Steffen Streubel, Head of Parts Operations at Wacker Neuson Aftermarket & Services.
With the construction and operation of the new distribution centre, the Wacker Neuson Group is also taking care to keep its own CO2 footprint as low as possible. The building was constructed in accordance with the highest sustainability standards of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) and has applied for the corresponding platinum certification. It is equipped with a photovoltaic system with a peak output of 3.2 megawatts and energy-efficient storage technology. E-charging stations for employees and visitors are also planned.
The logistics experts of Kühne+Nagel will assume the operational business on-site. As a long-term partner of the Wacker Neuson Group, the successful collaboration is being continued and developed. With the development of the global spare parts supply the Wacker Neuson Group is underlining its strategic goals and strengthening customer support for its construction and agriculture partners.
