FleetWatch just loves it when we see local companies doing good things overseas as it serves as an inspiration for all South African companies to aim for great.
In this case, the company is Imperial Logistics which recently formally opened the new Volkswagen Group packaging centre which it is managing and operating at JadeWeserPort, Wilhelmshaven in Germany. The 40 000 sq.m. facility took nine months to complete.
Around 200 representatives of local and state government, senior management of Volkswagen Group and Imperial Logistics, along with service partners and others, attended the grand opening.
Astrid Lühring, a member of the management board of Volkswagen Group Logistics, told the audience: “With the integration of the packaging centre in Wilhelmshaven, we have optimised our supply network and so reduced logistics costs for the supply of our overseas plants. During the tender process, Imperial Logistics provided – among other things – a convincing materials flow concept and have done a very good job both during the project phase and since the start of operations.”
Thomas Zernechel, head of Volkswagen Group Logistics, added: “The choice of Wilhelmshaven as a location is of strategic importance for the Volkswagen Group. JadeWeserPort is the only deep-water port in Germany. With the location of the packaging site we have a direct link to a port through which our parts can be transported using the largest vessels in the world.”
Beatrice Liedtke, site manager at Wilhelmshaven for Imperial Logistics International, told those present: “This packaging centre complements the supply network of the Volkswagen Group’s overseas plants and ensures an optimal supply. We regard automotive logistics as the king of all logistics, for good reason. In no other sector must the links in the supply chain mesh so precisely.”
Imperial Logistics International chief executive officer, Hakan Bicil concluded: “More than 500 of our employees will consolidate components of the different Volkswagen brands and store them, pack them, load them into containers and send them all over the world.”
The new packaging centre comprises four halls occupying an area of over 40 000 sq. m. It will receive around 7 000 different Audi, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles parts lines from plants throughout Europe. These will then be stored, picked, packed and containerised for shipment.
Outbound shipments will be dispatched to over 30 locations in 13 countries including Mexico, China and the United States. Annual output is expected to exceed 11,000 40′ high cube containers (22,000 TEU). Imperial Logistics also provides logistics support to Volkswagen Group at ten other locations situated in Germany, Poland, Hungary and South Africa, employing a combined workforce of 3 600.
This is top stuff and we just have to say a big well done to Imperial Logistics. You see, South African companies can be world class against global competitors.
