Case Hanzestrohm
New-build logistics and DC integration. UC Group team supported Hanzestrohm in redesigning its processes.
New-build logistics and DC integration. UC Group team supported Hanzestrohm in redesigning its processes.
Hanzestrohm (previously Hemmink Groep) is a group of companies supplying specialised products and services from a technical brand portfolio. Its companies have in-depth know-how of building solutions, industrial solutions and infrastructure solutions. It is an independent family business with strong roots in the Zwolle area. It has a clear vision and strategy for achieving its long-term objectives, while being very aware of its employees’ needs and wishes and dedicated to individual and team growth.
A combination of organic growth and acquisitions meant Hanzestrohm’s logistics needed overhauling. A new build and integration were seen as the best way forward for boosting efficiency and simplifying processes.
Hanzestrohm’s acquisitions had resulted in three separate logistics sites, all operating almost totally independently of each other, and with some overlapping customer portfolios. On top of that, organic growth at the group’s home port in Zwolle meant this was no longer the most efficient distribution centre.
As a result, Hanzestrohm was looking to increase its logistics efficiency by integrating its operating companies’ logistics, including the back office. Integration would also create the volumes needed to fund investments in, for example, mechanising logistics flows.
Hanzestrohm’s management firmly believes in focusing on its core activities. That means bringing in specialists to deal with issues that the organisation does not have the knowledge or expertise to deal with itself. Building a new distribution centre was one such issue. That’s why Hanzestrohm contacted UC Group for help and advice on designing and structuring its new distribution centre, along with the related processes and resources. The aim was to achieve efficient operations, where logistics staff enjoy working. And for the project to be completed on time and within budget.
UC Group set up a team comprising a programme manager, logistics process engineers and a consultant for securing the result. This team worked with the Hanzestrohm professionals to structure the physical and logistics processes.
The overall programme was shaped in line with UC Group’s IPORS (Invent, Plan, Organise, Realise and Secure) principles. The programme manager set out to make life easy for Hanzestrohm’s operational organisation by ensuring that the new build and transition did not adversely impact on the company’s continuity and reputation, and also devoting the necessary attention to stakeholder management and project control.
The results of the new build and transition programme:
Hanzestrohm opted for a warehouse in which four Kardex plateau lifts play an important role. This mechanisation solution is at the heart of the distribution centre, supplemented by a put-to-light system enabling processing of large amounts of order picking rules.
For higher-volume goods, it was decided to opt for pallet stacking, small stacking, sphere stacking and long storage racks, with a separate picking area for each type of storage, and shipments coming together in a consolidation area. The combination of Hanzestrohm’s specific expertise and UC Group’s logistics knowledge and experience proved to result in practical solutions.
UC Group set up a team comprising a programme manager, logistics process engineers and a consultant for securing the result. This team worked with the Hanzestrohm professionals to structure the physical and logistics processes.
The overall programme was shaped in line with UC Group’s IPORS (Invent, Plan, Organise, Realise and Secure) principles. The programme manager set out to make life easy for Hanzestrohm’s operational organisation by ensuring that the new build and transition did not adversely impact on the company’s continuity and reputation, and also devoting the necessary attention to stakeholder management and project control.
UC Group drew up a clear plan, taking account of all the basic conditions the client specified. Together we and Hanzestrohm worked through all the steps needed to get the programme running effectively. UC Group’s solid approach and substantive knowledge meant Hanzestrohm was able to feel confident about the way forward and continue operating smoothly while the project was being implemented.
John Pannen, Director of Finance and Organisation – Hanzestrohm BV
