New Logistics Center for STRAUSS | FORTNA
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Case Study

Fit for the Future: Expansion of Warehouse Capacity with Construction of New Logistics Center for STRAUSS

 

STRAUSS has built a new service and logistics center, CI Factory for short, in Hesse, Germany. The company has thus paved the way to integrate previously outsourced processes, increase capacities and logistically map the expected business growth. FORTNA was entrusted with the comprehensive logistical planning for this significant project.

About STRAUSS

STRAUSS is one of the world‘s leading manufacturers of workwear, utility-wear and protective equipment. STRAUSS products have achieved cult status with fans. As one of the top five online retailers in Germany, STRAUSS has been a leader in customizing and branding for decades. Based in the Main-Kinzig district of Hessen outside Frankfurt, STRAUSS employs 1,700 people and manufactures in 28 countries worldwide, with a focus on Southeast Asia.

Distribution and operations

Steady sales growth and the need to bundle several production areas and a product range of around 35,000 SKUs under one roof were the key factors for STRAUSS to invest in the CI Factory, a new building of remarkable dimensions: On a total area of 91,000 square meters – including 4,000 square meters each for shoe production, textile finishing and returns management – all items that can be ordered via catalog and an online shop are also stocked, picked and shipped worldwide. In addition, the new building is designed for central returns management and as a replenishment warehouse for further logistics centers.

The project

In order to increase capacities and logistically map the expected business growth logistically, the long-standing customer STRAUSS decided to entrust FORTNA with the overall logistics planning for this major project, which has an investment sum in the triple-digit million range.

 

fortna
FORTNA has been our expert partner in logistics issues since the year 2000. The chemistry is right between us and over this period of cooperation we have worked really well together. All the consultants there are aware of our demands for efficient operations and always bear this in mind when planning. So, it made sense for us to call on their support for the current project.

Matthias Fischer

COO-Board Member at STRAUSS

The solution

On the basis of all the data collected, the requirements for the new building were defined and an appropriate concept was worked out, which will be implemented in stages. With the introduction of an automatic small parts warehouse with 20 aisles and integration of a shuttle warehouse with 16 aisles, a scalable design was developed for a total of approx. 1 million storage locations.

The goods-to-person principle is consistently implemented with fully automatic transport of articles to a total of  32 pick & pack workstations. Eight carton erectors, lidders and labeling systems ensure that articles are picked directly into cartons that are ready for dispatch. Pick-by-light reliably helps employees with A+ articles and saves lengthy search times. Finally, in the outgoing goods area, the sorter system currently transports 4,000 shipments/hour.

fortna
I have been working with STRAUSS for 24 years. Being responsible for a project of this size is an exciting challenge that marks the culmination of this successful collaboration to date.

Andreas Beermann

Project Owner FORTNA

FORTNA Can Help

FORTNA takes you from the first steps of an optimization plan to a fully realized project implementation.

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Images © Engelbert Strauss GmbH & Co. KG

Published/Updated 11/20/24