LOGOTHE FIEGE MAGAZINE NO. 84 I 2015

BREAKING OF THE GROUND FORTHE SUPPLIERS’ LOGISTICS CENTER

Logistics in Indiapage 8

Gala 2014page 12

Logistics for Deichmannpage 27

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2 Contents

EditorialNew markets in old Europe 3

NewsContract extension with Rasch 4Falken Tyre Europe wins VRÖ Award 4A story of success and innovation 5First part of the Fiege logistics centerRhine-Main goes live 5FIT project Romania 5Imprint 36For globetrotters and business travellers 36Donation in kind for fashion designer college 36

Report31st German Logistics Congress 6Focus on India’s logistics sector 7Traditional family celebration in Shanghai 9A second location in Neuss 17New paths between Switzerland and China 30

GalaGala 2014 – around the world with Fiege 10

InternationalPerfect example of a successful partnership 14

CoverBreaking of the ground for thesuppliers’ logistics center 18

PortraitFrom Ludwigsburg into the world –Mann+Hummel filters 20

ProjectseCommerce business for sporting goods 22eCommerce trading with a wide reach 25

Press ReviewFollowing Deichmann and other top brands Fiegenow also serves customers of Puma 24Fiege – family-run enterprise in the fifth generation 35

SpecialRFID tag in apparel 26Maximised quality of life through sustainableconstruction 32

Social ResponsibilityCareer opportunities on the doorstepPersonnel development at Fiege 38

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Editorial 3

The outcome was clear: newmarkets in old Europe arethe focal point for the logis-tical business sector in 2015.

Europe’s southern crisis countries, onthe other hand, do not anticipategrowth. Also – so the assumption ofthe logisticians – the digitalisation inlogistics and the respective IT projectswill get the entire business sector andenterprises moving in 2015.This is the logistical response to newpolitical circumstances: the crisis inthe Ukraine and uncertainties in therelationships with Russia define theevaluation of relevant markets. BVL’smember survey conducted at the startof the year saw 57 per cent of thoseinterviewed state that the market inRussia and in the CIS countries willlose relevance. A rapid kick-off of theeconomies in southern Europe’s crisiscountries is considered unlikely for2015.Businesses place their trust primarilyin Germany’s domestic market, butalso in countries in Europe’s West andEast. The economic ties with crucial

About us:

New markets inold EuropeGermany’s logistics specialists have rung in the year2015 with much anticipation, according to the pollconducted amongst members of Germany’s logisticsassociation, Bundesvereinigung Logistik e.V., whichpublishes the opinion and mood of logistics providersand the future trend in logistics every year.

trading partners in Asia and SouthAmerica are considered stable. Andeven Fiege is relying on its tradingpartners in these markets, as indicat-ed by the many various new projectsof our company.Dieburg witnessed the first construc-tion phase of the new logistics centrefor tyre logistics go live already, andas early as April of this year, the sec-ond construction phase will havebeen completed ready to take up operations. In Neuss, after sevenmonths of construction only, the sec-ond location of the Fiege Group wasopened which, at the time of takingup operations, was already runningclose to full capacity. And Marklkofenin Bavaria saw the ground-breakingfor a suppliers’ logistics centre in Oc-tober 2014 which will be ready to ac-commodate tenants in summer 2015.Once again, Fiege lives up to its claimof being a reliable partner for all co-operations this year.

Your LOGO Editorial Team

4 News

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Falken TyreEurope winsVRÖ Award

For the first time since the company’s formationthe Japanese tyre brand, Falken Tyre Europe re-ceived the award from the Austrian Association ofTyre Specialists, the Verband der ReifenspezialistenÖsterreichs (VRÖ) in the category of passenger ve-hicle tyres. The tyre’s product quality, the price anddiscount policy as well as deliverability of all tyredimensions were honoured – an accomplishmentwhich Fiege contributed towards with its logisticalsolutions for Falken Tyre in Austria.

Contractextension withRasch

A successful and fair partnership in more than one way has beendefining the co-operation between the Fiege Group and the wallpa-per manufacturer Rasch at the Ibbenbüren facility for years now.Since 1996 already, logistics has been successfully handled for theBramsche-based wallpaper supplier at the Mega Center: duringthose years, Fiege proved to be a reliable partner who took up thecustomer’s wishes and integrated them into the logistical solution.The two companies, Fiege and Rasch now agreed to further extendthe contract laying down their co-operation which had been ad-vanced especially by Manfred Brosda, managing director of Gebr.Rasch GmbH & Co. KG, and Günter Westrup, CEO Mega CenterIbbenbüren – both of whom are “men of the very first hour”.

sNEWFalken Tyre Europe received an award.

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A story ofsuccess andinnovation

A central reason why Germany escaped the economic and financial crisis relativelyunscathed is its economic backbone: the success of family-run companies. Fromworld market leaders to successful mid-sized enterprises in niches, to small handi-craft businesses: over 90 per cent of Germany’s businesses are in the hands of fami-lies. And many of them contribute significantly towards “Made in Germany” becom-ing and remaining an internationally-recognised quality seal over the years. The twopublishers, Andreas Schober (Board) and Lutz Goebel (President of the association“Die Familienunternehmer – ASU”) delve deeply into the history and the inner life ofmany companies. For this, a team of authors travelled across the Federal Republic ofGermany and held intensive talks with entrepreneurs such as Fiege’s leadership duo,Jens and Felix Fiege, the founder of Butlers, Wilhelm Josten or the sports enthusiast,Franz Ziener. The result is a book which not only offers an informative cross sectionof Germany’s entrepreneurial landscape, but also proves that five centuries of indus-trial history can be quite entertaining.

FITprojectRomaniaThe Fiege International Teamcomprising eleven young Fiegeemployees from four countries –Poland, the Netherlands, Austriaand Germany – once againshows support for a social pro-ject this year so as to on the onehand become acquainted with in-ternational project work while si-multaneously helping disadvan-taged peopled. This time, anorphanage in Romania is the fo-cal point, which is operated bythe children’s charity namedRumänien e.V. “Romania has thehighest number of orphans in Eu-rope, the majority of whom aresocial orphans. The high level ofpoverty in Romania has led to al-most ten percent of the popula-tion having emigrated to workabroad. The children often endup in state institutions as thefamilies cannot afford to pay forthem”, explains Claudia Heuer ofthe FIT. The Romanian children’scharity operates 13 so-calledchildren’s homes where ten totwelve children aged four to 19live like in foster families. Thechildren are to be raised to be-come independent and responsi-ble human beings who prefer-ably, in spite of a goodeducation, remain in Romaniaand support their own country.The FIT wants to build a play-ground with a pavilion from do-nations, where children can playeven if the weather is bad. Addi-tionally, solid table tennis tablesas well as, depending on the do-nation volume, other playingequipment, shall be purchased.

First partof the Fiege logistics centerRhine-Main goes live

After around seven months of construction the first building phase of the Fiege lo-gistics centre Rhine-Main in Dieburg went live in November 2014. This brings the to-tal number of the nine new hall segments to five, offering around 50,000 m2. For thepremium tyre maker Pirelli, Fiege assumes the storage, order picking and Germany-wide dispatch of products. The goal is to support Pirelli with setting up as optimal aservice chain as possible. In addition to Pirelli, Fiege was able to win other tyre cus-tomers who will equally be supported at the multi-user warehouse. The secondbuilding phase which includes the remaining four hall segments of around 40,000 m2will start most likely in April of this year.

After only seven monthsof construction the

first building phase inDieburg went live.

tacts and for initiating business. At noother event in Germany is the “sup-ply chain market” as noticeable ashere: since 1985 it has been accompa-nied by a trade exhibition where theFiege Group was also present thisyear with an exhibition booth.BVL highlights included amongst oth-ers the presentation of the German Lo-gistics Awards to Mercedes-AMG andthe presentations by various top man-agers. Also, the football coach andmanager, Felix Magath held a paperabout teamwork and discipline withinfootball and in business.

This year once again saw many top-class applications for the German lo-gistics award, which has never lost itsattractiveness for the German indus-try:“We received an incredibly largenumber of intelligent and sustainableprojects”, emphasised the jury chair-man, Prof. Dr. Bernd Gottschalk dur-ing the award ceremony. During thepresentation of the finalists’ concepts,the concept of the Fiege Group in co-operation with a therapy productmanufacturer, which came third, wasalso introduced.

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Spreading logistical expertiseamongst professionals withthe respective PR effect andtaking it directly to the

broad public is the underlyingthought of the three-day event in Oc-

tober. The congress played a vital rolefrom the start as a platform for con-

Platform forinitiating contactsand business

31st GermanLogistics Congress It is and remains one of Europe’s most importantannual logistics events: The German LogisticsCongress. Over the years, it has become the centralmeeting point for Germany’s businesses.This year’s motto: Complexity, Cost, Collaboration.

The central meeting pointat this year’s congress wasonce again the Fiege booth.

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The presentations provided atotally new perspective onlogistics and about supplychain management in to-

day’s times to the listening audience.Christian Herzog, Vice PresidentApollo Fiege Integrated Logistics Ltd.,has been living and working in Indiafor some time now. He presented apaper about the key challenges for

the logistics industry and for whichsolutions have to be found. In his pa-per he also took a look at the growthand the main growth drivers of thesupply chain industry and gave acomprehensive overview of India’slogistics sector:logistics is the backbone of the econo-my and secures the efficient and eco-nomical material flow which othersectors build upon. India’s supplychain sector is developing drastically.The interaction between infrastruc-ture, technology and new serviceproviders will show whether the in-dustry is capable of assisting its clientsin lowering supply chain costs and of-fering effective services. In spite of aweak economic situation the logisticsand warehouse industry continues togrow, largely due to the growing re-tail trade within eCommerce andwithin the manufacturing industry.Expectations are for the global supplychain sector to grow between 10 to15 per cent between 2015 and 2016.To achieve this growth, the logisticsindustry must face some major chal-lenges. >

Focus on India’slogistics sector

Premiering at the 31st German Logistics Congressand set up for interested professionals,

the International Meeting Point is where supplychain experts from Brazil, China, Finland,Greece, India, Poland, Holland, Turkeyand USA explained the particularities of

logistics in their home countries.

Christian Herzog held a highly-informative presentation about India’s supply chain marketduring the Logistics Congress.

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with the fact that this is a workforce-intensive industry, in conjunctionwith missing training facilities has ledto there being only few specialistswithin management and customerservice. IT standards are also absent.The system integration and systemlandscape are both insufficient. Inadequate facilities and a weak man-agement are responsible for high loss-es of, damage to and deterioration ofstock, especially perishables. A fur-ther issue is the lack of special equip-ment, e.g. cold storages and refriger-ated containers.Even though not only practitioners,but even academics are increasinglybecoming aware of the relevance oflogistics and of the supply chain, thisarea still receives little to no consider-ation in terms of research and devel-opment. Only if research and devel-opment are ultimately considered apriority is it possible to identify anderadicate weaknesses.

Solutions

Improvements to the infrastructureshould be given special attention forthe logistics industry to flourish in theindustrial nations. One focal point isthe construction of top class road net-works, integrated railway corridors,modern freight facilities at airportsand the creation of logistics parkswhich are given the status of a specialeconomic zone (examples: The Gold-en Quadrilateral / Delhi – MumbaiIndustrial Corridor).Changes to the trading regulations:The Indian government is currentlypushing the implementation of theGST, a tax on goods and services.With the introduction, which isplanned for 2015, the tax could befully implemented by 2016. The GSTapplies India-wide and replaces legalregulations and agreements at statelevel.

Challenges

One of the most critical challenges isthe inadequate integration betweentransport networks, informationtechnology (IT), warehousing anddistribution facilities. A distinctive ex-ample here is the fact that 40 per centof perishable goods do not reach theshop in time before expiration oftheir best-before date.There are trading regulations at manylevels which are imposed by national,regional and local authorities. Theseregulations often differ from city tocity, hampering the creation of na-tional networks.Labour in the 3PL sector as well as inthe manufacturing and retail sectortends to be poorly trained in practicein such fields as IT, distribution andwarehousing as well as at the seniorstrategic level. The lack of organisa-tion in India’s logistics sector paired

It is crucial for India’s infrastructure to improve.

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existing technologies, renderingthe industry more competitivewhile upgrading service at thesame time.

Establishment of training facilities: inorder to close India’s qualification gap,training facilities are required. Suchadvantages must be implementedwhich are the result of Best Practicesin logistics for companies so that theservice quality within the sector ingeneral can be improved. The goal isto fill training gaps not only for new-comers but also for managers, whichcould be facilitated by specialist cours-es while and after studying, each withthe focal point on operations and Sup-ply Chain Management.Improvement of the warehouses:good warehouse facilities are a crucialelement for the growth of the logisticsindustry. By increasing transports forperishables those agencies dealingwith logistics will have to apply majorattention to the improvement of ware-house facilities. Warehousing mustequally take into consideration thechanging dynamics in JIT production aswell as in the global procurement andin new sales and distribution models.

Support research and develop-ment: The emphasis on researchand development is a crucial ele-ment because it advances the use of

Every year, Chinese companies, in-

cluding Fiege Far East in Shanghai

arrange for their employees and man-

agers to come together for a tradition-

al family celebration before the start of

Chinese spring festivities, to ring in the

New Year and thank all employees for

their work. This year saw 55 Fiege em-

ployees participate in the festive din-

ner at the Yuyuan restaurant in Shang-

hai on the Cool Docks. After dinner

and a few addresses by the manage-

ment, the best employee of the year

was honoured and the company’s ju-

bilarians were recognised – all in all a

successful evening for Fiege Far East.

Traditional family celebration in Shanghai

Employees and the management of Fiege Far East in Shanghai came together forthe traditional family celebration.

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while passing through the world ofFiege: this is the new and vivacious conceptof the Fiege Gala which turned out tobe very well received once again thisyear. The hot rhythms created by theAcoustic Pilots with the contrabass,guitar, saxophone and singing createdan excellent rock’n’roll sound of the50s, 60s, and 70s mixed with coverversions of modern classics in rocka-billy style as well as standards, blues,soul and swing. As always, there wassomething for everyone! And just onthe side and in a relaxed manner newnetworks were formed which surelywill continue beyond the galaevening.

Gala 2014 –around the worldwith Fiege

Fiege Gala, take twenty”kicked off the evening of the 23rd October in Berlin,when the Fiege Group had

invited numerous guests fromamongst their customers and partnersto the Spiegelpalast. For 20 yearsnow, this great gala is celebratedwith many friends of the company atthe Bar jeder Vernunft on theevening of the second day of the Ger-man Logistics Congress – a highlightnot to be missed! Time for an ex-change, to have a conversation awayfrom all the demanding issues talkedabout at the congress – to say hellohere and there and to enjoy culinarydelicacies from countries far far away

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Katrin Thomas, Christina Fiege, Felix Fiege, Mathias Thomas Ruthekolck, Andreas Meisel,Charis Choi.

Hannes Streeck, Annika Fiege, Jens Fiege, Karsten Schütt, Dr. Karl-Rudolf Rupprecht,José Mauro Pelosi.

Peter Scherbel, Werner Fischer, Dr. Regine Fischer,Jürgen Baldewein.

Petra Venneker, Jan Dünzelmann, Michael Schwöbel, Heinz Fiege,Albert Venneker, Uschi Fiege.

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Margarete Hamm, Klaus Hamm, Elke Delfmann,Prof. Dr. Dr. Werner Delfmann, Michael Deitmer, Alfred Messink.

Dr. Hugo Fiege, Lisa Fiege, Margit Flechsenberger, Dr. Dieter Flechsenberger,Prof. Dr. Raimund Klinkner, Prof. Michael Schenk, Hartmut Ostrowski.

Delicacies from around the world were prepared at the individualcooking stations while the guests looked on.

Lilli Schiebur, Kay Schiebur, Bernhard Metzger, Dr. Stefan Kurrle,Marc-Stephan Heinsen, Heidi Koch, Thomas Knopf,Karl-Heinz Czauderna.

Anna Hofmann, Brigitte Töpfer, Frieder Töpfer, Jan Fiege,Malte-Maria Münchow, Nicola Münchow.

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14 International

Perfect example of asuccessful partnership

A successful partnership between a logistics provider anda tyre manufacturer calls for a complex approach to services

and a high degree of professionalism on behalf of both.The co-operation between Fiege and Continental

which started in 2003 is a perfect example ofan effective partnership-based co-operation in Poland.

Fiege operates as an integrat-ed service provider for sup-ply chain solutions at thePolish location of the Conti-

nental Group. Within the context ofoperations that have been handedover, Fiege is fully in charge of all lo-gistical services, including transportservices, forwarding and warehous-ing. The company supports the fluidi-ty of the movement of goods for thesupply chain organised for the Polishmarket. “All services which Fiegerenders within the scope of logisticsenable Continental to concentrate onits primary activity, the sale of tyres”,says Magdalena Nowak, Market De-mand Manager Continental OponyPolska.

The behind-the-scenes

warehouse

Continental tyres are stored at theMszczonów warehouse, some 40kilometres from Warsaw. The ware-house has been designed to meet themost cutting-edge requirements interms of quality and safety. It isequipped with a gas heating, a firesafety system, automated loadingdocks, a ventilation system for a tem-

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perature range of between 11 and 27degrees Celsius as well as a slab-freefloor with a maximum carrying ca-pacity of 5,000 kg/m2. The storageheight in the warehouse is ten me-tres.A CCTV monitoring system has beeninstalled in the warehouse whichmonitors vehicular and pedestriantraffic, controls the activity outsideand inside the building as well as thepersons inside. It also serves to sup-port the warehouse flows, especiallyloading and offloading of the goods.To guarantee the highest possiblesafety for staff and for the storedtyres, the building and the installa-tions are checked weekly, and anypotential repairs are carried out im-mediately. Also, external auditorsperform a special check twice a year,and every five years the building un-dergoes a detailed inspection with thegoal of eliminating all potential de-fects and irregularities. Additionally,there are regular building checks thatare based on building code regula-tions.

The services chain

Continental tyres are supplied direct-ly from the European factories and

central warehouses to the warehousein Mszczonów. The first step at in-coming goods is to create a goods re-ceipt note using the warehouse-basedcomputer system. Following this, thetyres are stacked by size on a labelledpallet which details the respective re-ceipt. The manufacturer’s inherentflows guarantee that the tyres aresorted accordingly on StandardGroup Pallets (SGP).Fiege is also in charge of processingorders for Continental tyres as well asfor the delivery of goods throughoutall of Poland. Once an order reachesthe warehouse, the warehouse sys-tem generates a note based on whichthe dispatch is prepared. Tyres aresent out according to the FIFO model(First In, First Out). This is based onthe dispatch of products from thewarehouse, starting with the unit ofthe goods which first reached thewarehouse.At the same time the Fiege ware-house serves as a central collectiondepot for carcasses prior to being sentout throughout Germany. A key stagein accepting the returns is for a super-visor of Continental’s technical de-partment to check the tyres by com-ing to the Fiege warehouse and afterrating the carcass, making a decisionas to their future use.

Warehousing conditions

The proper storage of tyres warrants alonger life plus all the parameterswhich the manufacturer vouches for.In connection with this the condi-tions at the warehouse as well as thetype of storage must meet strict re-quirements. The warehouse in Mszc-zonów is kept clean accordingly, isventilated and the temperature re-mains constant. Also, tyres are notstored at the same location as fuels,oils, lubricants, solvents, acids, lyes orother chemical agents.And even the proper storage of Con-tinental products is relevant. Thetyres are stored in specifically builtSGP boxes of 1.5 metre height.Thanks to the tyre-friendly design >

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of the boxes the product is protectedagainst potential damage. There aretwo types of tyre storage at the Fiegewarehouse. The first type stores thetyres in high-bay warehouses – up tosix SGP boxes are stacked verticallyon top of each other so that the SGPboxes can be distributed to other lo-cations. The second type is a blockmodule which equally allows for upto six SGP to be stacked vertically ontop of each other. These storage mod-els save storage space. Thanks to theirdesign they are also easy to use andsubstantially facilitate ongoing opera-tions for warehouse staff.

Computerisationof logistics

The entire flow of the supply chainservices which Fiege renders for Con-tinental is computer-aided. With aproper management and optimisationof the warehouse flows as from thetime the tyres reach the warehouse tothe moment when they leave again,the Wamos system (Warehouse Man-agement and Operations System)takes charge. This system automati-cally posts documents and manages

the offloading points and the storagelocations. Also, staff monitor thesmooth flow of IT processes. Manyemployees have been providing sup-ply chain services for Continentalsince the day the contract was signed,which means for eleven years now. Inorder to guarantee a steady and highquality of service, Continental organ-ises annual product trainings.

Flexibility of orders

In light of the large sales volume fortyres and the seasonality of the ordersthe logistics provider must prove tobe highly flexible. Thanks to theprocess optimisation of the supplychain, it is possible to plan effectivesupply chain solutions for Continen-tal even during peak selling times.Currently wholesalers are not inter-ested in a large warehouse stock andexpect suppliers to carry out ordersfast. The long-term collaborationpaired with the experience whichFiege and Continental jointly gainedmake it possible to guarantee a fluidprocessing of orders and maintain therespective availability of goodsthroughout the entire year.

“Supply chain services for a customerof the tyre industry is not easy as it isa highly seasonable business. This iswhy we are proud to meet the setgoals in terms of punctuality and reg-ularity of orders for Continental”,says Iwona Grzelecka, head of theFiege customer services department.“Our long-term, by now eleven yearold collaboration with ContinentalOpony Polska results from the trustwhich the company has in us, as wellas the high quality of service whichwe offer”, she adds.

The standard

of success

The standard of success of the col-laboration refers to two parametersof effectivity: punctuality and flaw-lessness, i.e. accurate delivery.Every month, summary reports arecompiled. Thanks to this compre-hensive analysis the logisticsprovider is able to name the level ofeffectiveness of the applied supplychain solution and to establish thestrengths and possibly key areas forimprovement.

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Awarehouse with 20,000 m²of logistics space has beenbuilt on the new 32,700 m²-large property. In addition to

the roughly 1,800 square metres ofmezzanine floors which also include of-fices and recreational spaces, a 2,100m²-large fitted steel platform has beenset up. Order picking and packing ac-tivities will be performed on and be-low this platform. The new locationoffers jobs to some 130 people. Fiegewas able to win the WürttembergischeVersicherung insurance as the financialpartner for this project. The investmentvolume totals around Euro 17 million.

“We are convinced that Neuss is anew top supply chain location in Ger-many. The Rhine-Ruhr area is one ofthe champions amongst German lo-gistical regions. Within a 100 kilome-tre radius it is possible to reach 16million people, and within a one-daytruck ride, 40 per cent of the EU pop-ulation”, explained Jan Fiege, Direc-tor Fiege Real Estate Development,during the opening ceremony. Fol-lowing the recent opening Fiege op-erates logistical centres in Neuss witha total surface space of roughly70,000 square metres. The Rhein-Ruhr logistics Neuss II, offers roughly

100,000 square metres in space and ismanaged partly by Fiege and partlyby Techno Cargo Logistik GmbH &Co. KG, a joint venture between Vail-lant and Fiege. Neuss II was already running almostat full capacity at the time of theopening. Once Fiege had made deci-sion in response to the positive cus-tomer trend and the good infrastruc-ture in Neuss, to establish a furtherfacility the existing customer, Vor-werk addressed Fiege in spring 2013with plans for the new constructionin Neuss. Following these talks, Vor-werk developed within the scope ofthe Supply Chain Center Europe (SC-CE) project a concept which exam-ined the relocation of the distributionlogistics from Wuppertal to Neuss. Asthe logistical spaces in Wuppertalwere needed at the time for the ex-pansion of Vorwerk’s production, theconcept was implemented.This made Vorwerk the main cus-tomer at the Neuss II warehouse fa-cility, taking up over 60 per cent ofthe area. For Vorwerk, Fiege developsdistribution logistics for France, Aus-tria and Germany using Neuss as thestarting point, even with individualpackages for end-consumers. Othercountries are supplied from Neuss IIvia decentralised warehouses. Equip-ment and accessories are sent out toend customers, demonstration de-vices for specialist advisors as well asspare parts for service centres and de-centralised warehouses. Fiege alsohandles returns logistics for Vorwerk.

Overall, Fiege picks and sends out forVorwerk roughly two million pack-ages of all sizes every year. This devel-opment is a further step in the busi-ness relationship between Vorwerkand Fiege which started out in 1996.The remaining space is almost fullytaken up by another existing client ofthe consumer goods industry.

A second locationin Neuss

After seven months of construction the Fiege facilityNeuss II was officially opened on 24th September2014. In spite of some aerial bombs which had

been found on the premises, the warehouse wascompleted as scheduled in July 2014 already.

Cutting the ribbon: Jan Fiege, Director Fiege, Frank Preißner, managing directorVorwerk Elektrowerke, Dr. Jörg Geerlings, deputy mayor of Neuss,

Olaf Hügelmeyer, managing director Fiege Logistik Wuppertal, Thorsten Ullrich,Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG.

Vorwerk is thekey client

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Facts + FiguresMann+Hummel

Mann+Hummel is a globally leading

expert for filtration solutions and de-

velopment partner and series supplier

to the international automotive and

mechanical engineering industry. In

2013, a workforce of 15,200 at over 60

locations generated sales world-wide

worth Euro 2.7 billion. The group’s

products include, for example, air filter

systems, suction systems, liquid filter

systems, interior air filters and plastic

components for sound design, so-

called Symposers, as well as filter ele-

ments for vehicle servicing. For me-

chanical engineering, processing

technology and industrial applications

the product portfolio includes industri-

al filters, membrane filters for water fil-

tration and filter installations.

Breaking of theground for

the suppliers’logistics center

The first excavation marking the construction of thenew Suppliers’ Logistics Center of the filtration

specialist, Mann+Hummel has been completed: theground-breaking in Marklkofen, Lower Bavaria on21st October 2014 in the immediate vicinity to the

production site sealed the new partnership betweenMann+Hummel and Fiege Industrial Logistics.

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production logistics for Mann+Hum-mel is proof of the performance capa-bilities of the solutions created byFiege Industrial Logistics”, so PeterScherbel, member of the board of theFiege Group.The construction of the new logisticshall will not only increase the capaci-ty from 15,000 to 20,000 warehouseunits. Even the flexibility and materi-

al availability will be significantlyupped. Connecting the new ware-houses with the existing factory willbe largely handled by a driverlesstransport system (DTS) and shuttles.

Fiege’s concept aims towards consoli-dating the material for Mann+Hum-mel at the new warehouse and dis-mantling the exterior warehouses aswell as the space at the productiongrounds used for storage up untilnow. These measures reduce futuretruck transports at a scale of around42,000 transport kilometres per an-num.“The planned Suppliers’ LogisticsCenter forms a vital element in theoptimisation of our factory structureand as a result will contribute signifi-cantly towards the much needed material flow optimisation”, saysBernhard Wimmer, works managerMann+Hummel in Marklkofen.“Moreover, with the help of thecentre, the pollution in the areafrom truck traffic will be clearlylowered.”

Fiege will be taking over theconstruction and operationof the new centre which willoffer approximately 33,000

square metres of warehouse espace.The building’s dimensions are 224metres by 133 metres by 14 metres inheight. The investment total for theconstruction projects amounts toaround Euro 20 million. Presumablyas from summer 2015 onwards,bought-in parts and partially assem-bled parts for the production ofMann+Hummel will be stored inMarklkofen.“The breaking of the ground marksthe start of a new partnership whichwe look forward to. The Marklkofenconstruction project is not only anagreeable further step for Fiege inGermany’s south; instead, taking overthe extremely sensitive industrial

Sensitive industrialproduction logistics

Breaking of the ground: Peter Scherbel, Director Fiege, Hansjörg Herrmann, Group VicePresident Operations, Mann+Hummel, Bernhard Wimmer, works management Marklkofen,Mann+Hummel, Werner Bumeder, Second District Administrator of Dingolfing-Landau andPeter Eisgruber-Rauscher, mayor of Marklkofen.

Peter Scherbel and Bernhard Wimmer emphasised in their respective addresses the particularchallenges that came with the concept.

kofen. What only few know: from theforties to the seventies, Mann+Hummel was also active in the tex-tiles industry under the name of Pa-mina Moden. And this was no acciden-tal connection: at the time, the filterelements which nowadays are madeof paper or plastic were woven likegarment fabrics. In the seventies, thisbusiness unit was sold to Schiesser.Today, the Mann+Hummel Group isrepresented world-wide on five conti-nents with around 60 locations. As adevelopment partner and series sup-plier to the international automotiveand mechanical engineering industry,the company offers air filter systems,suction systems, liquidity filter sys-tems, interior air systems and plasticcomponents for sound design as wellas filter elements for servicing vehi-cles. With regard to mechanical engi-neering, process technology and in-dustrial applications the productportfolio include industrial filters aswell as membrane filters for water fil-tration and filter installations.

From car to lawn mower

Naturally, Mann+Hummel did not in-vent filtering. It is nature itself whichmakes sure that every organismmakes use of its own filter techniqueswhich make life actually possible.However, nature by itself can nolonger live up to the many challengeswhich modern life presents. To sup-port nature, Mann+Hummel contin-uously advances its filter techniques.The company’s products today ensureclean air around the world in hospi-tals or at airports, make cars drivefaster and cleaner, are used in boatsand even lawn mowers.The product range whichMann+Hummel offers today is devel-oped, produced and distributed viafour business units: Automotive Orig-inal Parts, Automotive Aftermarket,Industrial Filtration and Water Filtra-tion. The Group’s most well-knownbrand is without a doubt the Mannfilter. The green and yellow packa-ging has since been a guarantor for

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And neither did they knowthat they would becomeone of the leading manu-facturers in the global fil-

tration market, as the independentAmerican research institute, Freedo-nia, established in 2014. Roughly 80per cent of all available cars in CentralEurope by now feature at least onepart from Mann+Hummel.

Eventful success story

Throughout its almost 75 years of ex-istence the company has experiencedan eventful history: founded in the40s of the past century, it was initiallyespecially textile and felt air filtersthat were produced at the Ludwigs-burg-based production halls. Afterthe war the product portfolio grew –and with it the number of employeesand facilities. Bit by bit, further facto-ries were added throughout thewhole of Germany, including the stilloperating location in Bavaria’s Markl -

From Ludwigsburginto the world –Mann+Hummel filtersFrom a local manufacturer of textile air filtersto a globally-positioned group with more than15,000 employees – little did Adolf Mann andDr. Erich Hummel know when they formed theMann+Hummel filter factory in Ludwigsburg in 1941that their company would become such a full force.

and clear standards in terms of securi-ty, further development and work-life management of the employees.The company has been trying to fulfilthese standards with a future-orient-ed HR policy: next to company sportsand a large range of internal trainingoffers the company is trying, depend-ing on the region, to support parentswith flexible working hour models,home offices, holiday care for chil-dren or through the co-operationwith local day care facilities.

Social Responsibility

Even though the founders ofMann+Hummel would barely recog-nise the company today – the deve-lopments described are without adoubt under the sign of what AdolfMann and Dr. Erich Hummel wantedto create: a Group which, in spite ofits market leadership has not forgot-ten about social responsibility and itsSwabian roots.

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quality and service, thus reflecting animportant part of the company’s phi-losophy.However, Mann+Hummel’s strengthsdo not lie exclusively in the highestquality standards but also in the inno-vativeness and the skills of its em-ployees. With their ideas and com-mitment the filtration expert hasbeen one of Germany’s most activepatent applicant for years now andnot only manages to fulfil the currentneeds of its customers, but also tomeet their future challenges with in-novative products today already.

Global player with

family-based roots

Even though the company boasts15,000 employees world-wide,Mann+Hummel sees itself as a globalplayer with family-based roots. Theword “family” in family-run enterpri-se stands for responsibility, respect

Production at the Marklkofen site.

As one of the world’s leadingsports brands Puma distrib-utes its products aroundthe entire globe. eCom-

merce operations via its own onlineshop are becoming an increasinglyimportant distribution channel. Toguarantee a smooth flow Fiege as-sumes in the capacity of a full-serviceprovider the order management, pay-ment and debtor management, thecustomer service as well as the inter-national logistical fulfilment includ-ing customs clearance and multi-car-rier management. Logistics arehandled centrally at the Fiege MegaCenter in Ibbenbüren for 23 coun-tries in Europe.Be it a professional athlete or ama-teur: as a full provider Puma offers

sportswear from head to toe. Fiegestores all flat goods, from cap to sock,as well as accessories such as sun-glasses, perfume and bags. As an out-fitter of international top teams inworld-class football Puma also offersofficial jerseys from teams like Borus-sia Dortmund, Arsenal London aswell as numerous other clubs and na-tional teams in its own online store.

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From cap to sock

eCommercebusiness forsporting goodsSince April 2014 Fiege has been in charge of eCommerce fulfilment for the sporting goods manufacturer, Puma. Fiege is thus furtherexpanding its position as an eCommerce specialist for integrated,high-performance eCommerce solutions.

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Fiege ensures a smooth flow ofall aspects of the services.

eCommerce services for Jack Wolfskin

All eCommerce processes of the outdoor

specialist, Jack Wolfskin in Germany and

Austria are being handled by Fiege since

August 2014. In Great Britain, the online

shop already went live with much success

in April 2014.

The services of Fiege eCommerce include

order management, a bilingual customer

service, payment as well as debtor man-

agement and returns handling. In this

context, the Fiege site in Hamburg-Moor-

fleet will classify returned goods, post

credit notes and hand over returns to

Jack Wolfskin.

The modular structure of Fiege’s eCom-

merce system vouches for reliable and

quick process flows in all areas ranging

from order management to customer

service, to returns processing.

“In close co-ordination with Jack Wolfskin

we developed a durable and flexible com-

merce system which is geared towards

the individual needs of Jack Wolfskin and

which secures smooth work flows. We are

very excited about the positive feedback

in relation to the online shop in Great

Britain as well as the smooth start of the

online shops in Germany and Austria”,

emphasises Marcus Gropp, member of

the management Fiege Customer Solu-

tions.

Fiege’s own system solution alsoguarantees an efficient and safe han-dling of the entire ordering process.“As an internationally-operatinggroup Puma has its very own needsand requirements when it comes toeCommerce solutions. We are pleasedthat, as a reliable partner, we wereable to successfully implement theserequirements in a very short periodof time with our individualisable and international Fiege eCommerce solution”, explains Marcus Gropp, member of the management FiegeCustomer Solutions.

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Following Deichmann and othertop brands Fiege now alsoserves customers of Puma AUTHOR: Stephan Beermann

SOURCE: Ibbenbürener Volkszeitung, 29th November 2014

Football and Formula 1 arenot just a personal passion ofGünter Westrup andChristoph Mangelmans. The

two in charge of the Fiege Mega Cen-ter in the Hörstel industrial zone fol-low major sports events even profes-sionally with much excitement.For example, last weekend was allabout the outcome of the season’sGrand Prix race. Lewis Hamilton justcame out as the winner when thecountdown started for Fiege: whether T-shirt, jacket or cap, everything that saysHamilton will immediately be a hot sell-er in online retailing, also known aseCommerce. The sporting goods manu-facturer Puma can barely handle the in-flux of orders from the online store atthe moment. To ensure that the itemsreach the households fast and reliablythroughout the whole of Europe, Pumatransferred the implementation of itseCommerc business to Fiege this year.

“We have taken on all supply chainservices for Puma’s online shop. Allmerchandise ordered from Puma ispicked and sent out from the logisticscentre here”, says Christoph Mangel-mans, adding: “That is a huge suc-cess.”Success which will help to secure thecontinuation of the logistics centreopened over 20 years ago. Once Esprit had moved to FiegeMönchengladbach the goal was to fillthe vacated capacities anew as of2012. “We managed to build some-thing new and bring in new life”, saysMangelmans. Instead of two majorcustomers - Rasch wallpaper only justextended its contract with Fiege until2021 – there is a much greater spreadfeaturing currently 16 customers.In addition to Puma there are furtherrenowned companies like Deich-mann, Mexx, Liebeskind, Gerry We-ber, daheim.de or camel active. Over

150,000 different items are stored onthe racks found on several levelsacross the huge halls. Additional cus-tomers would be possible. “We couldcreate up to an additional 30,000square metres of space, we are flexi-ble in this regard”, says GünterWestrup. Articles worth a triple-digitmillion figure are sent on their wayfrom here every year. “This is Mün-sterland’s largest department store”,says Mangelmans.To ensure smooth operations at alltimes, the expertise of employees isvital in addition to cutting-edge tech-nology. Many factors determine theprocess, including the weather: It de-pends on the weather if customersare seated behind their PCs and placean order, or if they are out and aboutoutdoors. If Sunday is a wet and coldday, many stay behind their PCs, or-dering new merchandise online. Andthe personnel roster caters to this.Generally, Monday is considered themost important day at Fiege. That iswhen the orders from the weekendare in.Yet again totally different factors mayalso be decisive. Even before HalleBerry presents her collection at Deichmann, Fiege has been advisedand readied the matching footwear sothat order picking distances are keptas short as possible. The customer’smarketing calendar is tied closely tothe management at Fiege. And attimes, one has to be really fast. Suchas was the case, for example, duringthe football World Cup. Mario Götzehad not even kicked the ball into theopponent’s goal when four-starredjerseys already filled the racks.

Fiege teams up with Puma: the Fiege bosses in Hörstel, Günter Westrup (l.) and ChristophMangelmans (r.) present jointly with the employees, Katharina Krakowski and Ina Büscher(from left) products by the sporting goods manufacturer Puma, which leave Hörstel to headout to millions of customers throughout the whole of Europe.

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eCommercetrading with a

wide reachThe successful eCommerce collaboration between

the Fiege Group and Europe’s largest footwearretailer, Deichmann, is growing by the year.

Since January 2012 Fiege hasbeen handling the logisticsfor the German online shopof Deichmann at the Ibben-

büren facility. The particularity aboutthis project is the reach of the onlineshop: Deichmann operates individualonline shops for some countries andseparates the underlying logistics. Asa result, the German online customeris supplied from Germany, Austriancustomers from Austria, etc. Thisstrategy produces tremendouseconomies of scale which Deichmannexploits in co-operation with Fiege.In August 2012 already, the logisticsfor the Italian online shop was trans-ferred to the Fiege site in Arese. In2013, Austria followed with Vienna,and in 2014 Hungary with Budapestand the Czech Republic with Uzice.Fiege’s tasks are the same at the dif-ferent logistics centres: starting withtaking on the goods, to storing andorder picking, to packing the mer-chandise and the later handling of re-

turns, Fiege controls all processes.Dispatch orders are transmitted toFiege by the hour and divided intotwo batches or order lists. One batchis dedicated to orders for a single itemonly, while the other is reserved fororders that cover multiple items. Thissignificantly reduces distances as wellas packaging times.A major challenge within logistics isthe relatively high turnover speed atthe warehouse. Whereas othereCommerce warehouses turn aroundfour to six times, Deichmann’s stockturns around 16 times throughoutthe year. This prevents a classic ware-house structure that is divided into A,B or C articles as there are practicallyonly A items.A further particularity is that everyDeichmann shoe must have the anti-theft tag deactivated before being sentout. For this, conveyor technologyhas been installed in Ibbenbürenwhich takes the item in betweenpackaging and loading through a spe-

cial security sluice where these tagsare deactivated. This conveyor tech-nology circumvents the manual deac-tivation of the chip and cuts short thepackaging process.Deichmann was able to increase itsdelivery speed as a result of its collab-oration with Fiege and equally bene-fits from the possibility of packageconsolidation due to the high numberof eCommerce customers at theIbbenbüren site. Moreover, the start-up phase for every new online shop iscut short as the know-how gainedfrom existing business can be applied.With a considerable European com-mitment in 13 different countries,Fiege is thus the right partner to suc-cessfully implement this strategy.

Facts & FiguresDeichmann

Deichmann is Europe’s largest

footwear retailer with around 3,600

branches in 24 countries. Since its for-

mation in 1913, the company has

been family-owned. The product

range nowadays includes everything

from wellingtons for kids to high heels

for the fashion-forward woman, from

sneaker to elegant leather shoe, but

also accessories such as handbags

and scarves, rucksacks and caps and

belts.

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RFID tag in apparelThe clothing manufacturer Gerry Weber banks on the latest RFID technology

for locating and monitoring its merchandise. In co-operation with aMadgeburg-based system integrator, this innovative RFID technology from the Fraunhofer Institute was integrated at the logistics provider

Fiege into Gerry Weber’s transport chain in 2011.

AUTHORS: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Richter and Dipl.-Ing. Martin Kirch

read that the project had set a world-wide milestone in the use of RFIDtags. The application for the entireproduct range within the value chainas well as the integration of the trad-ing partners are pioneering well be-yond the textiles industry. “We areonly at the beginning of what thisnew technology can do for us and ourpartners”, so the content summary ofDr. David Frink, chairman of theboard of Gerry Weber InternationalAG. The group with over 425 “Hous-es of Gerry Weber” and more than2,000 shop-in-shops world-wide isthe first in Germany to use RFIDtechnology for the entire process

chain which includes anti-theft pro-tection to secure the merchandise.

RFID solutions

are the trend

Such no-contact solutions are verymuch the trend. The 2011 RFIDMonitor concludes that over nine ofthe ten companies interviewed in-tend to deal more extensively withthe matter this year. 31 per cent ofprospective users are based in the in-dustry; 15 per cent in transport; and7.37 per cent respectively in facilitymanagement and public administra-tion. The Magdeburg-based FraunhoferIFF has been developing technologi-cal solutions for the logistics providersof Gerry Weber which cater to asmooth tracking & tracing of mer-chandise in transit via RFID technolo-gy for roughly two years now. Textilelabels that are additionally equippedwith an antenna and microchip formthe starting point.

Continuous monitoring

from China to Germany

At two Chinese distribution locations,Shanghai and Hong Kong is wherethe path of the garments labelled likethis, starts. During production al-ready, the RFID tags are sewn into theapparel. Later, after several washes,they lose their function. Packed inboxes, the garments then make theirway to Germany.An RFID tunnel helps the logisticsprovider to record every single gar-ment on site in China and allocate itclearly to a box. Every shipping >

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In April 2014 Gerry Weber Inter-national AG received the covetedaward for the “best world-wideRFID implementation”. Just as

before, the international leading spe-cialist magazine, RFID Journal hon-oured the successful application andfurther development of this technolo-gy. This honour marked the develop-ment of systems using RFID tags ingarments. Be it jackets, trousers orcoats, the tag combines a garment se-curity function with the manufactur-er’s care details and an electronicproduct code.The statement about why the jury ofthe RFID Journal extended the award

Special 27

Incoming goods inspection with an RFIDdevice at Fiege in Ibbenbüren.

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box features a barcode which isscanned by hand prior to passingthrough the RFID tunnel. As of thatmoment onwards, any and allchanges during transport, all the waythrough to the racks of the retailers,are documented in data records thathave been created. One of the logis-tics partners involved is the FiegeMega Center Ibbenbüren GmbH.

Particulars

Dipl.-Ing. Martin Kirch has been work-

ing as a research assistant at the

Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Opera-

tion and Automation, IFF in Magde-

burg since 2007; his areas of expertise

include material flow technology and

systems.

Particulars

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Richter has head-

ed the Material Flow Technology field

of expertise at the Fraunhofer Institute

for Factory Operation and Automation,

IFF in Magdeburg since 2000. He was

appointed honorary professor for ma-

terial flow technology at Otto-von-

Guericke University Magdeburg in

2009. He oversees the contents of the

logistics-related focal point at the

Galileo test field in Saxony-Anhalt.

RFID labels in garments enable thecontinuous monitoring of the merchandise.

technology as possible. This processachieves a homogenous distributionof the field strength in the measuringchamber by continuously ‘stirring’the electromagnetic radio waves. Ap-plying this procedure in a UHF RFIDgate in the frequency range of around867 Megahertz means that any possi-ble polarisation of the same fieldstrength can be generated in a preci-sion-marked reading field anywhere.As a result, all pre-defined tagged gar-ments can be traced.This system can securely read all re-spectively tagged items even in themost difficult of circumstances. Sucha bulk detection of transponderswhich are firmly compacted into abox is a challenge for the recordingtechnology used. Ultimately the goalis to safely recognise every individualtransponder in any direction and po-sition as well as exclusively by thebox.

Shortfalls established in

real-time

As the result of the complete record-ing of the entire shipping box in thecountry of production already, GerryWeber increases the transparency ofits entire supply chain from the man-ufacturer to the individual warehous-es and transhipment points to everystore. Shortfalls in the boxes thathave been compiled by hand can beestablished in real time so that thestock can always be kept up to date.The Fiege Mega Center IbbenbürenGmbH checks the incoming goods onsite in Germany. The actual stock is

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System “stirs

electromagnetic signals”

The inside of the RFID tunnel marksthe start of this technology innova-tion. A UHF RFID recording systemfrom the Fraunhofer IFF is used forwhich a patent was issued in 2007 –the principle of mode stirring origi-nates from EMC measuring systems,to measure with relative ease inter-ference emissions and interferenceimmunity with as little measurement

reconciled with the target stock. Inthe case of inconsistencies the boxesare opened to check the differenceand if necessary, are adjusted. Fol-lowing this, the shipments are com-piled and handed over to the shippingpartner.

Flexible technology

In the near future, additional solu-tions are a possibility that is based onthe same principle. Not only that theboxes with the merchandise can beprecision-recorded and documentedat every location. Even at the shop itis possible to document the deliverythrough simple technology. It is notnecessary to always have a firmly in-stalled reading infrastructure. Thetechnology can be flexibly scaledwithout difficulties. Tent-like recep-tion points are even imaginablewhich fulfil the same task. And evena changing cabin that has the respec-tive metal shield is an option. Whenhanding over the merchandise, it ispossible to record this in no time.Taking stock would take up only afraction of the time used today.The future of this technology is seenhighly positively at the FraunhoferIFF. This is also because it offers alarge number of additional applica-tions next to textile logistics. Evenproducts that were difficult to recordwith radio signals so far, such as bot-tles filled with liquids can be safelyidentified with the principle devel-oped by the Fraunhofer IFF. The pos-sibilities are sheer endless and eveninclude an RFID tunnel for trucks.

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out the relevance of the Chinese mar-ket and emphasised in particular thepotential of the new free trade agree-

ment between China and Switzerlandwhich will open up many opportuni-ties for the logistics industry, but also

unveil many challenges. MarkusWarnebold, Director Air & Ocean ofthe Fiege Group, produced interest-ing background information aboutthe venue and introduced the lectur-ers to the guests. With Daniel Bont, Senior ConsultantChina/Hong Kong/Taiwan and ANZof Switzerland Global Enterprise, aFar East expert continued the eventafterwards. Daniel Bont spoke aboutthe “Free Trade Agreement Switzer-land-China in Practice” and showedwith the help of examples what thismeans in particular for customers.

The roughly 40 invitees re-ceived information on thisday during many intriguingpresentations about the di-

verse development of the relation-ship between China and Switzer-land. Valuable insights into majorchanges within the economy and so-ciety in connection with interna-tional material movements wereconveyed.The customer event was opened byFelix Fiege, member of the Fiegeboard and Thomas Knopf, CEO FiegeSwitzerland. Thomas Knopf pointed

New paths betweenSwitzerland and China“New Avenues – New Sustainability – New Commonality” was the mottoheadlining the Air & Ocean customer event organised by Fiege Switzerland atthe EuroAirport Business Center in Basel on 28th October 2014.

Ampleopportunities forthe logisticsindustry

The versatile development between China and Switzerland was debated by the attendees ofthe customer event in Basel.

Hannes Streeck, CEO Fiege Far East,spoke about his personal experiencein the country and explained the“possibilities and traps in the FarEast”. Especially the specific examplesof innovative technologies and build-ings as well as the deep insights intothe local way of thinking of a fast-changing society generated plenty of“aha” moments for the guests.Following this excursion into theChinese logistics market the topic of“Sustainability in Container Busi-ness” was brought closer to the listen-ers by Michel Gadron, Sales Director

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Maersk. His presentation includeddifferent innovative ways to save ma-rine diesel, but in essence stated thatgenuinely sustainable solutions areonly feasible through a co-operationbetween all companies involved inthe supply chain.Giano Carlo Alessi, head of the cargodepartment at EuroAirport, endedthe presentation part with his papertitled “EuroAirport – Shanghai / To-gether into the Future”. A tour of thenew cargo terminal at EuroAirportconcluded the Air & Ocean customerevent with fully satisfied guests.

An exchange of experience at eye level

was offered to existing and prospective

new customers during the Fiege work-

shop staged in Frankfurt. Whether with

the help of a specific entry strategy or at

the very beginning of the planning – a di-

verse team of experts debated jointly

with the participants the potential and the

risks of entering the Chinese market. Chi-

na’s economic growth potential has been

magically attracting foreign companies

for years. In addition to rapid growth and

low labour costs, it is especially the

quickly growing buying power and pen-

chant of Chinese consumers towards

Western brands that convince. In order to

point out hurdles and identify possible

“China Take-off” with Fiege Far East

risks, experts held papers during the Fiege

workshop held on 19th November 2014

about marketing and distribution channels,

legal outline conditions, supply chain man-

agement and logistical requirements as well

as personnel strategies, and in the following

were available to answer the participants

questions.

“The Chinese market is defined by strong

cultural differences as well as divergent cus-

toms and requirements within the national

borders. Strategies and products that work

for the European market can easily fail in

China”, explained Hannes Streeck, CEO Far

East. International businesses had to adjust

to the changed conditions and find the right

partners who are familiar with the market.

Potentials and risks related to enteringthe Chinese market were debated by theparticipants and experts of the workshop.

Maximised quality oflife through sustainable

construction In the construction and real estate industry,

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen DGNB e.V.has been an established institution since 2007.

DGNB pursues its declared goal of advancing andlasting promoting sustainable construction.

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Roughly a third of the re-sources consumed in Ger-many, as well as waste andCO2 emissions are caused

by buildings. Issues such as the cli-mate change and scarcity of re-sources, as the DGNB understandsthem, are to be dealt with by our soci-ety rather than be left to future gen-erations to take care of.DGNB’s sustainability concept is notonly based on a classic three-pillarmodel which takes into considerationecology, the economy as well as socialaffairs; beyond this, the planning andimplementation of sustainable build-ings or city districts as well as thetechnology, processes and the sites fornew buildings are to be appraised andrated. This comprehensive sustain-ability concept is to become the phi-losophy and the need of society. Thebuilt environment is to be plannedwith the interest of all parties in mindand shall be implemented in accor-dance with the requests of those whorun and use the respective property.Efficiency, sufficiency and consisten-cy are the generic goals of DGNB.This means that the available fundsare to be put to better use; resourcesshall no longer be over-consumed butused as needed; and technology is tobe applied which is nature-friendlywhich the eco-system provides for.

Six categories to

be assessed

When it comes to a building’s certifica-tion, three different target values aredefined. A building can achieve thebronze, silver or gold status and is rat-ed in six categories: quality of location,ecological quality, process quality, so-cio-cultural quality and functionalquality as well as technical quality.

To rate a building’s ecological quality,the life cycle assessment, the risks rel-ative to the local surroundings, theenvironmentally-friendly extractionof materials, the drinking water andwaste water supply as well as the useof the space are rated. The economicquality is rated based on the costwithin the life cycle, the building’sflexibility and convertibility for alter-native use as well as the general mar-ketability. The building’s socio-cul-tural and functional qualities refer tomultiple topics, in particular, for ex-ample, the thermal, visual andacoustic comfort, the security andrisks relative to the building, whetherit is barrier-free, and layout qualities.The protection against fire, noise,heat and emission is part of the tech-nical quality. Moreover, the processquality which amongst others in-cludes the integral planning, the proj-ect preparation, the project imple-mentation, commissioning andinvitations to tender as well as thequality of the location, meaning themicro-location, connection to thetraffic infrastructure, the surround-ings as well as the image and the con-dition of the location and the sur-roundings, are all rated.To rate a new building such as, for ex-ample, the Rhein-Main (Dieburg) lo-gistics centre in compliance with theDGNB code, there are many differentassessment criteria which have to bemet to a certain degree. These indi-vidual assessment criteria, dependingon the user profile, are rated differ-ently. The score for reaching the settarget as well as the individual ratingof the criteria jointly form the specificdegree of fulfilment for the six cate-gories to be assessed. The total degreeof fulfilment resulting from this formsthe basis for the individual DGNB cer-tificate.If a building is awarded an overall de-gree of fulfilment as of 50 per cent, >

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For the Rhein-Main logistics centre tobe awarded its certificate, many

assessment criteria have to be met.

and in a final step certified byDGNB.

Integrated approach

to complete lifecycle

As already mentioned the DGNB as-sessment system is based on an inte-grated consideration of a building’sentire lifecycle. The certification ratesa property’s sustainability. A sustain-able property offers benefits for theinvestor or the client, but also for theuser. The economic advantage of thecertification lies in the building’s sus-tainability and thus its value beingdemonstrated. A sustainable buildingprofits during the phase of use fromlow operation and maintenance costs.Studies also show that sustainableproperties suffer from lower vacancyrates and achieve higher rents. Con-sequently, a certified building reachesa higher and in the long run, bettermarket and resale value.The additional cost of the DGNB certi-fication in relation to planning,reaches less than 0.5 per cent, and interms of construction, between zeroand four per cent. Sustainable con-struction therefore cannot necessarilybe called a cost driver, but instead is avalue driver.Investors and clients can draw on therespective advantages such as, for ex-

ample, the long-term economic effi-ciency, good market opportunities,easy rentability and also, the certain-ty of a steady quality throughout theentire building as well as consistentrelevance of economic, ecological, so-cio-cultural and technical aspects. Inaddition, a DGNB certificate offers theprospect of more favourable terms ofa loan, which thus secures values andreduces risks.

Great advantages

for users of a

certified property

There are just as many advantagesfor the user of a certified property.The certification takes into accountthe well-being and health as well asthe safety of the building’s users,which minimises absences due tosickness and maximises the qualityof life. From an economic perspec-tive users profit from lower operat-ing costs and a timely process opti-misation. Also, certified buildingsprotect the environment as they arebuilt in a resource-friendly manner,generate fewer emissions and alsocreate significantly less waste. ADGNB-certified building is thus last-ingly sustainable and therefore ofrelevance even for future genera-tions.

it is awarded the bronze certificate.And with 65 and 80 per cent respec-tively, the building is awarded a silverand gold certificate accordingly. How-ever, it is not the overall degree of ful-filment or the individual measuresalone which are relevant for the cer-tificate; the minimum levels of fulfil-ment must be reached for the individ-ual topics to guarantee a consistentlyhigh quality of the building.

New logistics centre

by Fiege in

assessment phase

The Rhein-Main (Dieburg) logisticscentre is currently undergoing theassessment phase and will presum-ably be awarded a rating of above 82per cent, meaning it will be issuedwith the gold certificate. During thebuilding phase of the Rhein-Mainlogistics centre, project audits wereregularly carried out. In meetingsheld between the DGNB auditor, thegeneral contractor, the client andthe architect the current certificationstatus is documented and debated.To reach the level of fulfilment ofthe described assessment criteria it isnecessary to provide for a compre-hensive documentation and the sub-mission of comprehensive records.This documentation is then audited

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Press Review 35

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member of the Management Con-sumer Goods & Retail.These days, the company offers com-plex services of this nature not onlyin Germany; since the 90s, it has in-creasingly been offering them

throughout the whole of Europe aswell as the People’s Republic of Chi-na, and even India since 2012.“Fiege is an independent, family-runservices provider that develops trust-ing and long-term partnerships anddevelops these further”, so MichaelLorca’s summary about the corporatephilosophy of the family-owned busi-ness, now run in the fifth generation.World-wide, more than 11,000 em-ployees work actively for the Greven-based company at roughly 200 loca-tions in 17 countries. And with this,the Westphalians generated salesworth Euro 1.4 billion in 2013: “Weconsider ourselves to have a solid po-sition and will continue to grow fur-ther in the years to come with ourcustomers’ requirements regardingoptimised supply chain solutions", sothe conviction of Michael Lorca. Ex-cellent prospects indeed.

The logistics company Fiegefrom Greven in Germanycan look back at a history ofover 140 years. Everything

started with a horse-drawn cart. To-day, Fiege is considered a pioneer ofcontract logistics. The company oper-ates around the world.Michael Lorca, member of the Man-agement Consumer Goods & Retail atFiege Logistik, can barely stop grin-ning when being asked about the cor-porate past of his employer. “Natural-ly, we also started with horse-drawncarts, that’s just the way it was backthen when the company was found-ed in 1873.” At the time, Joan JosephFiege formed a transport company asa sideline to his agricultural business.This quickly developed into a pros-perous haulage company which to-day is one of the pioneers in contractlogistics.Fiege’s services spectrum today com-prises much more than just the gen-uine transport of goods from A to B.“We here at Fiege are specialised inorganising processes and optimising

material flows.” The company is fullyspecialised in value chains for materi-als of a variety of industries. Industri-al goods, tyres, healthcare, fashionand other commodities are only a fewof the industries where Fiege offers itsservices. The palette of these servicesextended to customers is comprehen-sive. “Tailored and individualisedsupply chain solutions”, is howMichael Lorca explains the topicwhich is currently much debated bymany customers.As a full-service provider Fiege offers,for example for different customersfrom the fashion and consumer goodsindustry so-called multi-channel so-lutions. These solutions combine sev-eral types of distribution in one hand,such as online and traditional retail-ing. As a service provider, Fiege isable to handle the full eCommerceorder process for customers – fromthe genuine ordering process, to la-belling, anti-theft tagging and pay-ments processing, to risk manage-ment and last but not least, transportand professional returns processing.In doing so Fiege is able to performthe logistics required for both distri-bution channels thanks to cutting-edge IT systems from a single ware-house. “We have, for exampleIT-aided systems which our specialistsalso take care of – i.e. not only the co-ordination of material flows, but alsoinformation services”, explains the

Fiege – family-run enterprisein the fifth generationAUTHOR: Nicole Wildberger

SOURCE: Rheinische Post Duisburg, 5th December 2014

Trusting andlong-termpartnerships

36 News

LOGO

Donation in kind forfashion designer college

Georg Brockhoff (r), Laurèl,Hanno Reekers, DOB and AnneTrendkamp (l), DOB handed overthe donation in kind to the principal of the fashion designercollege, Beate Welp-Gerdes.

The Munich-based fashion label, Laurèl and the wholly-owned subsidiary, DOB TextilService handed over a substantial donation in kind to the fashion designer college inMünster at the end of 2014. For several years now the two companies have been sup-porting the school with outer fabric and lining that is no longer needed, as well as withnotions like buttons and zippers, from which the students of the fashion college can cre-ate DOB has been providing services for Laurèl at the Münster location for the entire val-ue chain, from managing the raw materials warehouse to handling the finished product,to returns processing, since 2012.

For globetrotters andbusiness travellers

The Hamburg-based company travelite GmbH + Co. KG has been a sym-bol of quality luggage for 65 years. In 2012 the managing partners of traveliteGmbH + Co. KG took over TITAN and formed the independent company TI-TAN Hamburg GmbH. TITAN is one of the world’s leading brands for quality,functional yet stylish luggage. Since January 2015 Fiege has been in chargeof the logistics for the products of both companies at the Hamburg facility ofthe Fiege Group: supply chain processes start at the Hamburg port with acontainer shuttle and include incoming goods, storage, order picking and var-ious value added services, all of which lie in the hands of the experiencedteam at the Mega Center Hamburg. VAS include repacking activities like sep-arating sets, tagging, price labelling for suitcases and compliance with pack-ing guidelines. The entire packing station at the Mega Center Hamburg wasre-designed for the customer. The broad product portfolio includes in additionto lightweight, solid and functional suitcases and carryalls also many acces-sories for the business traveller and globetrotter.

sNEW Imprint

Logo 84/March 2015Das Fiege MagazinAddress:Redaktion LogoJoan-Joseph-Fiege-Straße 1D-48268 GrevenPublisher: Fiege Logistik Holding Stiftung & Co. KG Joan-Joseph-Fiege-Straße 1D-48268 GrevenEditor:Renate Schindler-TiedemannTel. 0 2571-56 06 65, Fax 0 25 71-91 83 18renate.schindler-tiedemann@fiege.com

Photos: Fiege, BVL, Mann+Hummel,Wojtek Lesiuk, Starface Ingo Schwarz,Dirk Mahler Fraunhofer IFF, Fotolia,iStockLayout: Wietheger Druck NordwaldePrint: Steinbacher Druck GmbH, OsnabrückSteinbacher Druck GmbH, OsnabrückThe reproduction of excerpts or of thecontents of this issue is only permitted byindicating the source and is subject to theprior approval by the editors.Contributions naming the author need notreflect the opinion of the editors. Logo isalso published in German.Download your logo version from:http://www.fiege.de/de/presse_events/kundenmagazin_logohttp://www.fiege.com/en/press_events/customer_magazine_logo

Social Responsibility 37

LOGO

opment at the Fiege Group, wel-comed with her team the roughly 40students to Ibbenbüren.

Christoph Mangelmans, member ofthe Management Fashion & OnlineRetail, introduced the company andexplained the functions of a multi-user centre with all of its logisticalparticularities.Sonja Frühauf, junior speaker HR,provided a comprehensive overview

of the various possibilities for stu-dents during their course, from a na-tional and international traineeshipsto working student activities whilestudying at Fiege.Bettina Pick, responsible for the cen-tral HR development tools at theFiege Group, introduced the variousprojects in Germany and Europe foryoung specialists and executives.The Boot Camp student project pro-vided a major contribution towardssecuring specialists and shows howimportant it is for science and busi-ness to dovetail further, emphasisedMartina Schlottbom at the end of theevent during which the visitors took atour of the Fiege Mega Center afterbeing divided into multiple groups.

Career opportunitieson the doorstepThe City of Münster and the surrounding region presents itself not only as aplace for studying, but also offers good job and career opportunities touniversity graduates, as witnessed by the participants during the premiere ofthe “Marketing Master Boot Camp” in October of last year.

The joint initiative betweenthe Marketing Center Mün-ster, Wirtschaftsförderungand Münster Marketing is to

contribute towards the students re-maining in the region once their edu-cation has been completed, and forthem to recognise and locate careeropportunities and internationally-op-erating companies in the region thatoffer good jobs.With the motto “Experiencing com-panies live from the Münsterland”the students were amongst others al-so invited to come to the Mega Cen-ter Ibbenbüren of the Fiege Groupwhere they could experience logisticsfirst hand. Martina Schlottbom, incharge of Strategic Personnel Devel-

Experiencingcompanies live

Strategic personnel

management

“We gladly are willing to face thesenew requirements. The goal of thepersonnel development strategy atFiege is to tie potential candidates andhelp them evolve further; at the sametime, we save a six-digit total everyyear through internal further devel-opment by filling vacancies fromwithin the company”, says JensFiege, responsible director for Strate-gic Human Resources. “The new or-ganisation of the business unit sawmany top functions filled by employ-ees who referred to structured HR de-velopment tools – a clear example of

the important input which these toolsare providing.”

Identifying potentials

“It is the immediate superiors whoare often predisposed to spot thosewith major potential”, explains Betti-na Pick, Manager Personnel Develop-ment. Consequently, one require-ment for good personnel developmentis good management. The outlineconditions for this are defined in thecorporate principles which Fiege hasbeen implementing for over tenyears. Based on these, a leadershipculture evolved at Fiege which en-sures that employees have a fair, de-

38 Social Responsibility

LOGO

Generation Y

In sociology, Generation Y or Gen Y

refers to those population cohorts

whose members were considered

teenagers between 1990 and 2010 ap-

proximately. Depending on the source,

this generation is also called the Mil-

lennials. It is thus considered the fol-

low-up generation to the Boomers and

Generation X. The name is due to the

fact that the letter Y follows the letter

X in the alphabet. Y, when pro-

nounced can be understood to mean

why, also reflects Gen Y’s tendency to

question matters. The following gener-

ation will be Z, starting with 1999 as

the year of birth.

Source: Wikipedia

For many years now, succes-sion planning and personneldevelopment measures forpotential candidates have

been actively pursued in order tomaster today’s market conditions. Es-pecially Generation Y is no longer sat-isfied with a well-paid job alone – forthem, factors like culture or teamspirit are just as important. This gen-eration seeks meaning and personalfulfilment and demands time for fam-ily and friends.

Personnel developmentat FiegeRetaining and acquiring high potentials is becoming more and more importantin today’s market environment. Competition for the excellent candidates,graduates and executives is felt more and more so that Fiege places an evenstronger focus on the strategic development of human resources.

ious tools. The needs must be met re-gionally. A seminar or job rotation as-sists in the immediate implementationby the business units or the branches.In addition to regional/local pro-grammes the Strategic HR depart-ment has various tools that serve asplatforms to make potentials withinthe Fiege Group known. The require-ments for the successful utilisation ofthe central tools are naturally at alltimes that the employee has the in-tention to progress.“Within the context of the new Fiegestructure we want to use our centraltools to maintain an overview of thehigh potentials in the individual busi-ness units, so that there can be an in-terdisciplinary exchange of talenttoo”, explains Martina Schlottbom,Head of Strategic Human Resources.

Development

programmes

Three development programmesform the essence of central personneldevelopment: Fiege Junior Pro-gramme, Fiege International Teamand Fiege Professional Programme.This is where potentials can try thingsout, prove their methodological andleadership skills and, based on a vari-

ety of routines, obtain direct feedbackfrom members and coaches.“Programme participants often takeon a new task within a year of theirparticipation – as a specialist, in proj-ects, or even as a manager. It is greatto see the participants work straightaway with the knowledge and meth-ods gained from the programmes andbecome successful with them”, saysBettina Pick, Manager Personnel De-velopment.

International

opportunities

Those who want to take the opportu-nity could discover exciting new jobsin different areas with Fiege at homeand abroad. Job descriptions are gen-erally offered internally at Fiege andprovide especially to young develop-ing candidates time and again theright new challenge. Since 2007,some 215 high potentials have partic-ipated in the programmes – since2010 over 40 per cent of these partic-ipants have taken on a new task/posi-tion in the company.

The role of

on-the-job training

Naturally, training also plays a majorrole at Fiege: as soon as a high poten-tial progresses at Fiege, there are newopportunities for newcomers. “We at-tract these mainly from within ourown ranks of training”, explains Mar-tina Schlottbom. “In 2014 alone weprovided training for 18 training oc-cupations and last year’s graduatesbenefited from a 46 per cent takeoverrate. When it comes to the dual-course students we often reached a100-per cent takeover rate. This ishow we obtain well-trained youngemployees who want to specificallyevolve further.”And this is where the circle comes toa close: these young newcomers aretomorrow’s high potentials.

Social Responsibility 39

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Martina Schlottbom Bettina Pick

manding and supportive environ-ment which opens up new perspec-tives for them.The conceptual basis of the personneldevelopment is the Fiege C.I.R.C.L.E.This C.I.R.C.L.E was created at inter-national HR level and based on it allcountries shall now align their person-nel strategies accordingly. For exam-ple, in some countries it has alreadybecome the basis for job descriptions,employment processes and develop-ment discussion guides.The first step towards a thought-outpersonnel development is the annualemployee assessment. Managers dis-cuss jointly with their employees theirindividual need for qualifications andimplement them with the help of var-

FIEGE Logistik Holding Stiftung & Co. KG I Joan-Joseph-Fiege-Straße 1 I D-48268 GrevenTelephone: +49 2571 999-0 I Facsimile: +49 2571 999-888 I www.fiege.com