External factors that demand increasingly shorter shipping times may, however, result in air freight being used more widely in future. Bottlenecks affecting the supply of electronic components to Tridonic in the year under review, for example, resulted in larger volumes of air freight. For the 2011/12 financial year, the Zumtobel Group has set itself the target of developing a scheme to collect statistics on CO2 emissions produced by transport activities in order to give a fuller picture of the Zumtobel Group’s carbon footprint.

Implementing a logistical network in 2002 was an important step towards ensuring efficient transport logistics. The logistical network was initially set up exclusively for the Lighting Segment, but the Components Segment has been integrated into this hub system since 2010. In addition, a double-decker loading system in which a metal framework creates an “upper deck” in a truck makes for optimum use of payload capacity when goods are shipped between plants.

In Great Britain, Thorn uses the so-called “milk run” system, which optimises the transport system further still. Wherever it makes sense, return trips from customers are used to transport raw materials and semi-finished products to the respective production plants. Thorn has implemented a new concept for palettes and repackaging at its plant in China. In the year under review, this made it possible to raise the container fill factor from 50% to 90%. Tridonic is currently examining which other plants are eligible for implementing this concept. It will then be rolled out to the selected plants.

Selection criteria:

• Cost
• Quality (schedule effectiveness and damage in transit)
• Preference is given to accredited service providers (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Ökoprofit)
• European vehicle emission standards (Components Segment: at least EUR 5)
• Service providers who offer rail transport are given preference
• Double-decker loading system (Lighting Segment)

The Lighting Segment’s logistical network comprises seven hubs in total. The main hub in Venlo (Netherlands) provides a central link to the plants in Dornbirn, Lemgo, Usingen, Landskrona, Spennymoor and Les Andelys.

Tridonic also uses the main hub in Venlo to supply the plants in Les Andelys and Landskrona with products from its central distribution centre. The fact that all transport services are provided by external carriers makes it possible to avoid trucks running empty, since along with the main hub, trucks can also call at the relevant haulage company’s hubs. Trucks can also pick up goods for other customers, making optimum use of their payload capacity. Where it makes sense because of the volume of the load, plants can also be linked to each other directly (full loads).