[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.8″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
It took around nine months to build the Audi, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles logistics centre, which went into operation in 2019, on the JWP site. One vehicle parts area was moved in succession every fortnight.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ module_class=”reverse-columns-mobile” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.8″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Credits: IMPERIAL (2x), JWP<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Management at Imperial Logistics International could not have predicted what is happening at the moment. In retrospect, however, when it comes to parts logistics tenders for Audi, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Imperial\u2019s approach in view of the Covid-19 pandemic was spot on. \u201cThe flexible solution jointly developed with our customers anticipates changes in global supply chains,\u201d explains Imperial Logistics International CEO, Hakan Bicil. \u201cBasically,\u201d he continues, \u201cthe challenges we faced are actually what gave it that special something.\u201d <\/p>\n
The events of the past few years have shown how important the resilience of supply chains is. Imperial has, therefore, made alternative routes, modes of transport or even suppliers an integral part of its logistics solutions, which are adapted individually to the customers\u2019 needs and tailored to specific markets and activities. \u201cThis meant that we were already better prepared than many to deal with challenges such as capacity issues, regional closures etc. when the pandemic hit,\u201d Bicil adds. This adaptability in terms both of volume and destinations was one of the main reasons for setting up logistics handling by Imperial at JadeWeserPort (JWP). \u201cOur customers have identified the Wilhelmshaven site as one of the most suitable locations for their strategic planning to optimise the global supply chain,\u201d emphasises the CEO.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe infrastructure not only offers excellent supply chain conditions with access to international sea freight but also ideal connections to the German and European hinterland,\u201d Bicil explains. Therefore, it was not only customers from the automotive industry that were enthusiastic about the location \u2013 some of Imperial\u2019s other partners have also been planning activities in Germany\u2019s only deep-water port. <\/p>\n
A look at the vast site and the logistics centre\u2019s key figures show the dimensions involved in automotive logistics. With its four halls, unloading tunnels and parking spaces for empty and full containers, the total storage area is almost 40,000 m\u00b2. Since 2019, the port has been supplying 30 Audi, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles production sites in 13 countries on four continents with DIN and standard parts. A total of 250 employees ship all the components required \u2013 ranging from screws or washers to airbags and steering wheels to finished engines.<\/p>\n
About 350 articulated lorries are unloaded every week for this purpose, followed by quality controls. The parts are then stored both physically and electronically. The halls are designed to house up to 7,000 different parts. Goods are dispatched as per the customer\u2019s specific requirements, which also includes physically and electronically moving the goods to the selected mode of transport.<\/p>\n
Besides container ships and trucks, this includes transcontinental rail. \u201cThe longer the global imbalances and the associated capacity deficits in sea freight persist, the more important the Silk Road becomes,\u201d reports Bicil. Rail transport is also increasing in demand for environmental reasons. As a result, Imperial Logistics International operates its own regular services, including weekly departures from Asia to five European countries and back again \u2013 from three European countries. One such example is the factories in the Chinese city of Chengdu, which are supplied via the Silk Road.<\/p>\n
Automobile logistics are not quite as time-critical as expected. \u201cSince Wilhelmshaven is a CKD supply chain that our customers plan very well, just-in-time processing is the exception rather than the rule and is used because some of our customers have special procedures to compensate for interruptions in the supply chain, which can arise at any time,\u201d explains Bicil. Nevertheless, one challenge is the unstable quantities caused by the pandemic. Here, too, the flexible concept has proven valuable. Thanks to adaptive logistics processes, for example, a high quality of service can still be guaranteed even in times of high volume fluctuations.<\/p>\n
According to Bicil, targets are being met for the Chinese market, the most important for customers, which is proving to be the most stable with high volumes. However, the situation is different in markets such as Mexico, South Africa, the USA and Brazil where the volume is fluctuating significantly due to Covid-19 and the global semiconductor shortage. In some cases, volumes are even decreasing. The volatility of the market is logistically demanding, but this is exactly what Imperial is all about. \u201cWe know who\u2019s going to arrive, when and where they\u2019ll be, and can plan accordingly by delivery weeks or windows,\u201d emphasises the CEO.<\/p>\n
All in all, the logistics process is dependent on the right mix of automated and manual processes. \u201cThis is done to both ensure maximum flexibility and benefit from the effects of automation,” Bicil explains. To a certain extent, it is definitely an advantage that not everything in automotive logistics can be digitalised. For most shipments, for example, different types of parts are put together in different quantities \u2013 this task can only be carried out manually. <\/p>\n
Of course, digitalisation is still carried out extensively \u2013 from incoming goods, to storage, to the dispatch process. This includes employees using tablets to monitor the latter. \u201cWhat\u2019s more, we \u2018ping\u2019 transport-related information to the transport carrier systems so that we can ensure a seamless supply chain,\u201d Bicil explains. This guarantees that customers will continue to receive their goods, despite the ongoing pandemic and associated disruptions in the supply chain. (cb)<\/em>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Hakan-Bicil_500px.png” alt=”Hakan Bicil, CEO of Imperial Logistics International” title_text=”Hakan-Bicil_500px” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.10.8″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.8″ header_3_text_color=”#002e5b” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hakan Bicil, CEO of Imperial Logistics International<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Facts” _builder_version=”4.4.9″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_title=”display: inline-block!important;||background: #002754!important;||padding: 5px 13px 3px 13px!important;||position: relative!important;” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#002754″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” header_text_color__hover=”rgba(255,255,255,0.71)”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.8″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nImperial Logistics International<\/strong><\/h2>\n