German provider Rhenus Logistics has opened a new logistics centre at its site in Mannheim to provide production supply and factory logistics for John Deere’s German operation – John Deere Werke Mannheim.
The new centre features two halls with warehousing, loading and picking areas, covering an area of 16,000m2 on the 35,000m2 site. It also provides 16 truck loading bridges and 6,000m2 of open storage space, 1,000m2 of which is covered. The facility will stock up to 8,000 stock items for John Deere Werke.
"By expanding our site, we do not only have additional land, but can provide our customers with advanced storage technologies and provide cost-optimised service," said Clement Rethmann, CEO of Rhenus, at the opening.
Rhenus is supporting just-in-time delivery to the plant with a warehouse management system that coordinates the complete storage, optimised picking and delivery processes. Delivery of the parts to John Deere’s facility is made by shuttle trucks.
The company has supported production, supply and logistics at the John Deere plant in Mannheim since 1997. It is the largest business location for the agricultural and commercial vehicle maker outside the United States. The new logistics centre has been designed to enhance Rhenus’ service offering.
"Rhenus has long been a reliable partner. We are very excited about the new modern store. [Now], we can optimise our production processes further and more efficiently," said Dr Volker Knickel, factory manager at the John Deere Mannheim plant.
The facility was built by the logistics property developer Garbe in just five months.
