Wernau relies on sustainable logistics solution
With the opening of its new logistics warehouse and the use of an electric truck, Bosch is setting an important example for efficient production and sustainable logistics. The new off-site warehouse in the Neckar valley and the plant in Wernau are now connected by a fully electric, emission-free shuttle.
New off-site warehouse reduces inner-city truck traffic
The Bosch Home Comfort Division has every reason to celebrate: its new logistics warehouse in Wernau was officially opened at the beginning of October. On this occasion, Executive Managers Birte Lübbert and Thomas Volz as well as Wernau Site Manager Michael Bühler and Plant Manager Michael Staudinger welcomed the Mayor of Wernau, Armin Elbl. The off-site warehouse is part of a comprehensive logistics concept developed by Home Comfort to make production and logistics in Wernau fit for the challenges of the future. The Division has leased the off-site warehouse, which was completed in just ten months from the start of construction, on a long-term basis. With sustainability in mind, special emphasis was placed on environmentally friendly construction and operation. Features such as the use of glulam instead of reinforced concrete for the load-bearing structure and the photovoltaic system installed on the roof make the building particularly sustainable, which is why it has been awarded the Gold Seal of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).
With an area of more than 14,000 square meters, the new off-site warehouse is the size of two football fields. It serves as a new central hub for the storage of raw materials and semi-finished products for the Wernau plant.
Conveniently located & sustainably built: The new external warehouse
Global warehouses for robust supply chain
The logistics center in Wernau is part of the Bosch Group’s logistics network, which includes more than 700 warehouses worldwide. Bosch relies on a global network of approximately 35,000 regional and local suppliers ensuring a high degree of resilience and availability. This local-for-local strategy has proven its worth even in times of crisis.
Whereas the plant used to be served directly by several trucks from the individual warehouses, the new warehouse now serves as a central hub. It replaces several off-site warehouses, including those in Esslingen, Kirchheim, Lenningen, and Wendlingen. This reduces complexity, which in turn makes administration and control easier and will save many trips in the future.
Emission-free transport between off-site warehouse and plant
A particularly important feature is the new electric truck from Zeh, which now ensures carbon-free transport between the off-site warehouse and the plant. “With our new logistics concept and the collective transports, we will significantly reduce inner-city truck traffic,” emphasizes Site Manager Michael Bühler. The electric truck is charged once a week at Zeh’s own PV system. This is the first electric truck to be used within the Home Comfort Division.