Our customer 3M
SPACE-SAVING AND SUSTAINABLE ACROSS THE BOARD Distribution logistics
INDIVIDUAL LOGISTICS FOR OPTIMUM BENEFITS No one can afford to have ineffective supply chains. This is why 3M tasked Gebrüder Weiss (GW) with the optimization of its logistics processes, leading to the development of a tailored solution for the transport of goods of varying sizes – across Europe and from a single source.
AT A GLANCE:
3M
3M stands for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, and is a globally active technology group based in St. Paul/Minnesota (USA). Founded in 1902, the company manufactures over 50,000 different products for industry, medicine and transport technology, as well as for the office and the home. The most well-known brands of 3M among end consumers include Post-it notes and Scotch sticky tape. The group employs around 91,000 members of staff across 70 countries.
THE CHALLENGE
THE CHALLENGE 3M’s products are very different in terms of size, weight and volume, making them difficult to stack. The consequence: unshapely pallets that often take up a disproportionately large amount of space in a truck and, at the same, are highly susceptible to damage. The challenge: ● Utilizing truck loading capacities in the best way possible ● Minimizing damage risk ● Guaranteeing 3M customers a high availability of products, reliably and across Europe
THE SOLUTION
THE SOLUTION GW takes 3M’s goods from the central warehouse to an own logistics hub in Hall/Tyrol. The pallets are re-organized here to create full, space-saving pallets for forwarding to the distribution hubs (“mix, move, match”). The services at a glance: ● Daily collection of the goods from 3M’s warehouses in DE and PL with GW direct.line ● Redistribution of the goods in Hall/Tyrol to make full pallets with a height of up to 2.2 meters ● Additional use of double-decker trucks to make optimum use of space ● After arrival at GW’s distribution hubs: sorting, picking, packaging, and labelling ● Delivery to 3M customers in AT, CZ, HU, BG, and SK with GW pro.line, directly and from a single source ● Duration of only 48 to 72 hours
THE BENEFITS
THE BENEFITS Full capacity utilization – cost reduction – sustainable solution By redistributing the goods at GW Hall to make full pallets and forwarding these as full loads, 3M has been able to cut its costs for regular services by around 40 percent. Making optimum use of the space available, considerably fewer individual transports are needed, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.
Substantially less transport damage Compacting the goods through the “mix, move, match” process has resulted in substantially less damage occurring during transport. Packaging can also be chosen specifically in line with the needs of the customer and recipient. Positive side effect: additional cost saving for 3M.
Transparency and reliability 3M can track the shipment along its entire route. GW’s central reporting system highlights potential weaknesses and how errors can be quickly rectified. GW guarantees reliable service from a single source with its strong European network of routes.
Gebrüder Weiss is the key to optimized logistics processes.
Patrick Van De Vyver 3M EMEA physical distribution manager
“In August 2011, Gebrüder Weiss became our first partner in the development and launch of the “mix, move, match” distribution process. 3M needs strategic partners in order to be able to optimize its logistics processes, and Gebrüder Weiss is the key to this development.” www.3m.com
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