Kuehne+Nagel establishes highly automated logistics solution for Wacker Neuson

The logistics service provider Kuehne+Nagel has opened a new contract logistics centre in Rhineland-Palatinate. With around 55,000 square metres of logistics space, the company ensures the worldwide supply of spare parts for the Wacker Neuson Group from Mülheim-Kärlich. The leading manufacturer of light and compact equipment has been trusting in Kuehne+Nagel’s spare parts logistics solutions for nine years.

The new distribution centre will create 120 jobs. Employees will be supported in their work by ‘goods-to-person’ assistants: A fleet of over 30 robots will take over the storage and retrieval as well as the transport of the containers and bring the items from the shelves directly to the employees at the picking stations. Thanks to sensors, cameras and algorithms, the autonomous mobile robots are able to work in three dimensions and move independently in dynamic environments by recognising obstacles and adapting their route automatically. 

Over 100,000 different spare parts components for light and compact equipment are stocked and dispatched in this way. The equipment and processes at the site allow the flexible expansion of activities in order to access further volume potential in spare parts distribution in the coming years.

“Kuehne+Nagel and Wacker Neuson represent two iconic brands in the market with a combined history of more than 300 years,” says Gianfranco Sgro, Executive Vice President Contract Logistics and Integrated Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel International AG. “We have taken up our customer’s strategic challenge for the coming years and have built the basis for tailored after-market services to support increasing market penetration.”

Andrew Voigt, Managing Director of Wacker Neuson Aftermarket & Services GmbH, comments: “With our state-of-the-art distribution centre and the operation of our trusted partner Kühne+Nagel, we are setting up our spare parts and service business for the future. We are the partner at our customers’ side for the entire service life of the machines and create sustainable relationships - beyond the sale of the machines and light equipment"

About Kuehne+Nagel

With approximately 81,000 employees at almost 1,300 sites in close to 100 countries, the Kuehne+Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics providers. Headquartered in Switzerland, Kuehne+Nagel is listed in the Swiss blue-chip stock market index, the SMI. The Group is the global number one in air and sea logistics and has strong market positions in road and contract logistics.

Kuehne+Nagel is the logistics partner of choice for 400,000 customers worldwide. Using its global network, logistics expertise and data-based insights, the Group provides end-to-end supply chain solutions for global companies and industries. As a member of the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), Kuehne+Nagel is committed to sustainable logistics by reducing its own environmental footprint and by supporting its customers with low-carbon logistics solutions.