The distribution warehouse operated by Rudolf Ostermann GmbH in Bocholt, Germany, processes up to 3,000 orders per day. This makes Ostermann Europe’s leader for edgings and fittings. Part of the recipe for success is a distinct focus on service. Ostermann guarantees customers all orders will be processed and shipped by 4pm on the day the order is received. 33 UniCarriers forklifts ensure orders are picked rapidly and loaded on trucks on time. Last year, the mail order company signed a full-service contract for the entire fleet that includes preventive maintenance, UVV accident prevention audits as well as spare parts supplying.
Everything at Ostermann is about edgings. They are the wholesaler’s main product range for carpenters and cabinet makers. Ostermann processes up to 3,000 orders a day for their 30,000 customers. The foundation of this output is a functioning and reliable fleet of forklifts. 31 warehouse trucks and two counterbalance trucks from UniCarriers make the operators’ work easier. “Because all our order picking is manual, logistics here depends entirely on the smooth operation of the forklifts,” Christof Wauters, head of Logistics and Materials Management at Ostermann, explains. “That is why the requirements for the suppliers of our forklift trucks are so strict. UniCarriers not only offer us a convincing price-performance ratio, they also provide us with a service concept customised to our particular needs.”
Forklifts as the heart of logistics
With the exception of the fullyautomatic high-bay warehouse which serves as a storage warehouse and is equipped with two stacker cranes, the forklift trucks are used everywhere. The heart of logistics is the manual order picking warehouse with a total of 12,000 pallet storage locations. When replenishments are needed, eight UniCarriers TERGO reach trucks type UNS and UMS go into action. They collect pallets at the warehouse’s stock removal zone and store them in the assigned places. Order picking in the 15-aisle pallet warehouse is done by 17 type OPS 100 high-level picker trucks.
Speed as a distinguishing feature
Part of the Ostermann philosophy is strong customer orientation. In addition to staging edging systems in short lengths or small batches on request, this also means processing orders rapidly. Within the framework of their 24h delivery service, the company guarantees that orders are delivered by 4pm the next day. The delivery capability of this just-in-time service is 97%. “Sometimes there is no more than an hour between order entry and dispatch because the trucks are at the door no later than 5.15pm,” explains Christof Wauters. “About that time, we are running at full throttle in. It only works when all processes are optimally coordinated.” Most trucks run during the entire shift and reach speeds of up to 14km/h when transporting in-house. To prevent accidents, a high standard of safety is a must. With good driving stability, optimal all-round visibility, and a tilt function for the mast, the TERGO trucks meet the high requirements of intense stock handling.
Full service for full performance
To further optimise the use of their equipment, Ostermann signed a full-service agreement last year for the entire fleet. It includes a flat rate for maintenance including the annual accident prevention (UVV) audits, spare part supplying and replenishment as well as the exchanging of wearing parts as needed. Ostermann pays a fixed monthly installment for each truck based on age and intensity of use. On the basis of the operating hours it is also possible to determine whether a forklift has been used too intensively or too seldom. The aim is to keep the operating hours of all forklifts at a similar level to prevent individual trucks from premature wear. Another advantage of the all-round service package is the short response times in the event of a service incident: If a forklift breaks down or a spare part is needed, a UniCarriers technician is on site within a matter of hours.
Results
Ostermann has profited from the concept of distinctive service orientation and short delivery times: In the last ten years, the company has doubled throughput and thus also the external sales volume. Thanks to their close contact to UniCarriers, Ostermann can also adjust the size of the forklift fleet to the order volume at short notice. Moreover, the fleet is constantly updated by the regular replacement of older trucks with new ones. Consequently, Ostermann benefits from a fleet that is constantly state-of-the-art and provides maximum performance. Due to the positive experiences in Bocholt, the mail order company has decided to extend their cooperation with UniCarriers to their six foreign subsidiaries.
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