Caterpillar is celebrating the launch of a new logistic center located in Henstedt-Ulzburg, Germany, north of the city of Hamburg. The warehouse, comprising an interior area of nearly 161,450 sq ft, is the fourth facility in Germany for Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co, and will serve as a hub for MaK spare parts for customers throughout the world. With its close proximity to both the international airport and the port infrastructure in Hamburg, the logistic center will increase velocity for parts availability to customers and reduce costs.
The modern warehouse was designed and built according to logistic standards developed by Caterpillar, as well as the manufacturing standards developed through 6 Sigma and Cat Production System (CPS). This methodology has been incorporated at every Caterpillar manufacturing facility and creates a network of best practices to streamline processes and maximize the potential of every employee to ensure industry leading quality and velocity. For example, the architecture of the building was designed to shorten the distance people and parts would need to travel through the cycle of unloading, storage, and shipping. A reduction in process time and movement is one critical element of CPS – eliminating waste by limiting excess motion.
Construction of the logistic center was complete in February 2010 and full operation at the new logistic center is set for 15 May. Nearly 40 employees at the facility will manage parts stocking and distribution, order processing, accounting, information technology, legal and human resources.