Schaeffler has elevated the logistics in its Industrial Division to state-of-the-art processes, optimizing procedures and significantly increasing delivery capabilities to supply its customers even more reliably and quickly. The ground-breaking ceremony for the distribution center in Kitzingen took place on schedule and marks the next milestone. Schaeffler is building a new logistics center in Kitzingen to supply its customers in Europe quickly and reliably. On October 5, the ground-breaking ceremony was held at ConneKT-Park with representatives from Schaeffler as well as from participating companies Max Bögl/Mauss Bau (ARGE), SSI Schäfer and the Mayor of Kitzingen, Stefan Güntner. Oliver Jung, Chief Operating Officer at Schaeffler, explained: “Due to the good general conditions, we have decided to build the center in Kitzingen. We’re going full steam ahead.” Deliveries to customers are expected to begin in the middle of 2018. The new distribution center will employ around 200 people. Investments amount to approximately 120 million euros. “The distribution center in Kitzingen is the last component that completes our logistics project in the Industrial Division. Our goal is to bring the Schaeffler Group’s logistics activities up to the latest industrial standards, optimize existing processes and considerably improve delivery performance,“ said project manager Gregor Luft. Main location of the European warehouse network Schaeffler’s new distribution center will be the main location for its European warehouse network. In the European distribution centers network (EDC), there is currently one warehouse each for Northern Europe in Arlandastad in Sweden and for Southern Europe in Carisio, Italy. The warehouse in Sweden opened in March 2015, and the warehouse in Italy in May 2016. Both warehouses have supplied Schaeffler’s customers reliably and quickly. With a basic floor space of around 15,000 square meters, the storage space of the warehouse in Kitzingen, parts of which extend over two floors, amounts to more than 22,0000 square meters. The high bay storage area with a height of 38 meters and storage space for 28,000 pallets and the automated container warehouse that holds 93,000 containers are connected to the combined pick & pack workstations by means of an electrified floor track system. This allows Schaeffler’s standard products to be shipped within 24 to 48 hours of receiving an order. Customer orders can dispatched up to two hours before the truck leaves. Next steps Excavations and civil engineering work will be completed over the next few months. The topping-out ceremony is scheduled for May 2017 and the official opening for the end of the same year.