Logistics and Industry-Specific Solutions
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Generating Added Value through Networking
KTM, Prefa, Reusch, Siemens, … Looking at the list of logistics customers to join the books, only one conclusion can be drawn: Gebrüder Weiss gained significant market presence in the logistics solutions market in 2003. The logistics area comprises visible components: Logistics plants, means of transport, IT systems, … . During the financial year 2003, Gebrüder Weiss invested extensively throughout the entire organisation. Warehousing, handling and order picking space was greatly expanded. Apart from having the right depots and modern information technology, having the right people with the right knowledge in the right organisational form is at the core of efficient logistics solutions. In order to achieve greater depth of service and more flexibility in the network, it was decided in 2003 to establish a new central management position for this strategically important business field: System Management Logistics (SML). With Harry Stiastny – formerly managing director of the consulting subsidiary xvise – this position has been occupied by one of the most experienced logistics experts in the organisation. “The objective of SML is clear: Within the shortest possible time every customer enquiry, irrespective of complexity, is matched by a competent response from which an efficient solution can be developed. We qualify on site, build information networks and provide our subsidiaries with knowledge in segment-oriented competence centres and in a central task force,” Stiastny outlines his vision. The year 2003 was completely dedicated to the preparation work for this new position and the development of initial logistic design concepts for complex customer requirements.
leisure + sports logistics wins Adidas “The concept works: We were highly successful with our solutions, which are fine-tuned to the requirements of the industry. I am extremely pleased that we were able to convince customers with such highly reputable brands as Adidas, Salomon or Burton of our excellent performance,” says brand manager Ulrike Schwarzenberger, visibly proud. One example of such an industry-specific solution is the direct distribution in CEE countries: Via regular scheduled service the articles are transported from the manufacturer’s production site to one of the Gebrüder Weiss distribution centres where they are sorted by consignee and delivered to the dealers in the different countries as quickly as possible.
automotive logistics “in Motion” “The demand for intelligent automotive logistics is still intense” – much to the joy of product manager Kurt Pichler. “In 2003, we achieved great success in the supplies segment, in the bike industry, in IT solutions and as a network partner for OEM purchasing logistics.” In cooperation with the Gebrüder Weiss subsidiaries, the competence centre in Austria and Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia has been able to establish itself as high performance partner for the automotive and supply industry. “The rapidly growing ‘Detroit of Central Europe’ in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is well matched to the systematic expansion of our range of services,” emphasises Kurt Pichler. “We