Smooth picking processes in the warehouse are a top priority for PACCAR Parts. The spare parts supplier relies on Crown, one of the world’s largest material handling solutions companies, for support.
With brands such as DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt, PACCAR Inc. is one of the world’s largest commercial truck manufacturers. The group’s subsidiary, PACCAR Parts, is responsible for global spare parts supply and operates 20 distribution centres on four continents. One of its core markets is Germany, where PACCAR Parts opened a state-of-the-art warehouse in Maßbach, Bavaria, at the end of 2024. With an area of 22,500 square metres and around 15,000 pallet spaces, the Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) offers space for over 80,000 spare parts of various sizes and types. As in all its warehouses, PACCAR Parts relies on a high-performance fleet solution from Crown.
Efficient order picking and handling in a state-of-the-art warehouse
The PDC was designed for the rapid processing of high-order volumes, which is currently supported by approximately two dozen employees. Working in two shifts, they handle over 2,000 order lines per day and are well prepared to fulfil time-critical orders.
The fast processes required for this are significantly supported by the fleet of 29 Crown forklifts. This ensures time-saving and efficient handling of storage and retrieval. PDC Manager Kai Rohden confirms this: “The Crown products are perfectly tailored to our workflows. They also meet the high demands we place on our trucks.”
Three Crown SC Series electric counterbalance forklifts are used at the beginning and end of the material flow in the warehouse. In addition, there is a C-B Series counterbalance forklift, which is designed for the fast picking of particularly demanding loads. Among other things, the four robust forklift trucks are responsible for loading and unloading and transporting pallets and heavy parts.
PACCAR Parts relies on ESR Series reach trucks specifically for pallet handling in its high-bay warehouse. Eight of these reach trucks have been in use since the PDC opened, contributing to effective staging processes. Thanks to their manoeuvrability and precise control, the reach trucks can also demonstrate their performance daily in the limited space of the narrow aisles of the warehouse. With their fast lift and lower speeds, they support order picking, especially at greater heights, with the process being further accelerated by Crown’s Xpress Lower technology.
Another key contributor to high performance is the use of nine SP Series man-up order pickers. Designed for dynamic, high-density environments, they help busy operators efficiently handle a wide range of tasks.
OnTrac traction control enables safe manoeuvring in narrow aisles, while excellent all-round visibility allows operators in the high-bay warehouse to precisely target pick locations at heights of over 11 metres.
At PACCAR Parts, spare parts are stored not only in high-bay warehouses but also at low and medium heights. To optimise picking operations in these areas, the company uses six Crown WF Series stackers. These ensure fast transport of bulky and heavy loads. The intuitive operation of these stackers also makes daily work much easier, as PDC Manager Kai Rohden confirms: “Our employees are convinced of the quality and user-friendliness of the trucks. They offer comfortable handling and ergonomic workstations, coupled with high reliability.”
PACCAR Parts is another example of how the success of a project depends on more than just the hardware and software used. Decades of expertise and consulting services provided by the Crown service team laid the foundation for the design of fleet solutions and efficient logistics flows at the PDC in Maßbach. Even after the project’s completion, two Crown service technicians remain available to PACCAR Parts, ensuring Crown’s brand promise: when every minute matters, customers can count on Crown to keep their businesses moving.
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