Case Study: Building a High-Performance Logistics Centre for STIHL

Deliveries are divided into small parts, large parts and finished goods and prepared for storage by the employees at the workstations.

Small parts, such as rails, are repacked into uniform containers and transported entirely automatically via a conveyor line to an automatic small parts warehouse for storage.

Single SKU pallets, such as those with cut-resistant pants, are transported directly to the high-bay warehouse for storage.

Finished goods, such as chainsaws, are transported and stored in a high-bay warehouse.

STIHL dealers offer professional advice, individual instruction and comprehensive service.

Many products are available immediately from the speciality dealer. Products not in stock are delivered to the dealer by the STIHL sales centre within 24 hours.

The dealer's ordering system ensures an optimum process and smooth handling. As a result, the order arrives at the speciality dealer the next day.

Electronic orders are processed automatically in the STIHL ERP system and transferred to the warehouse management system.

The carton sizes for the orders are calculated and automatically erected, labelled and routed to the appropriate picking areas. During order processing, the picking areas are continuously replenished. Parallel to replenishment, the retailer's order is forwarded to the appropriate picking areas.

In the Pick by Light area, the employee is guided to the correct storage compartment by an indicator light. The employee picks and confirms the displayed quantity.

The speciality dealer assembles the chain, bar and chain guard to the chainsaw and hands over the saw in a ready-to-use condition. Instructing the customer how to use his new products is part of the exclusive dealer experience.

The quality of the products, the quality of the logistics service and the quality of the speciality dealers ensure customer satisfaction and the company’s success.