Efficient transport logistics
One important lever when it comes to reducing emissions is making transport logistics as efficient as possible. To enable the more flexible implementation of the transport concepts of the two segments, all transport activities have been outsourced to external service providers.
Means of transport selected in line with commercial and ecological criteria
The transport concepts in both segments are aligned with multiple criteria. When it comes to selecting the means of transport, commercial considerations and scheduling take priority. At the same time, the volumes of CO2 emissions generated by the different means of transport are also taken into account. In many cases the best commercial option is also the most sensible from an ecological viewpoint. Air freight, for example, is avoided on account of the high costs and products are preferably dispatched by sea instead. When selecting a transport provider, the Lighting Segment gives preference to suppliers who use rail transport or have integrated the railways into their network.
When transporting goods to market, the volume of goods being transported is another criterion that is taken into account. This means that different service providers are commissioned depending on whether small parcels, consignments of goods, part or full loads are to be shipped.
When transporting goods to market, the volume of goods being transported is another criterion that is taken into account. This means that different service providers are commissioned depending on whether small parcels, consignments of goods, part or full loads are to be shipped.
Optimised transport processes during procurement, production and sales
Making use of combined procurement, production and sales consignments is becoming increasingly common. This means that along with the choice of the right logistics partner, internal processes including transport processes are subject to ongoing optimisation. By way of example, at many Zumtobel Group plants baling presses are now in use to reduce volumes of waste and minimise the number of truck runs required to collect it.
In the Lighting Segment deliveries involving the collection of goods from several warehouses are largely avoided. Along with the use of double-decker loading for trucks, one key aspect of the transport system for procurement and production is the use of a logistics network. This involves bundling the transport runs via a hub system (a star-shaped network with a central hub) which the Components Segment will also be utilising from May 2010 onwards.
This logistics network in the Lighting Segment is also linked to the sales network which works in line with the fast and ecologically meaningful "milk run principle" (with just-in-time deliveries). Wherever it makes sense, return trips from customers are used to transport raw materials and semi-finished products to the respective production plants. Another aspect that supports the more efficient use of resources in the transport sector is the ongoing optimization of order picking processes.
The increased level of procurement in China by the Components Segment is to be offset by making better use of the volume of freight, e.g. using less packaging material or loading the chosen means of transport more efficiently. The capacity of containers, for example, is to be exploited more effectively and to this end a suitable packaging concept is being drawn up. Prototypes were tested in the 2009/10 financial year.
In the Lighting Segment deliveries involving the collection of goods from several warehouses are largely avoided. Along with the use of double-decker loading for trucks, one key aspect of the transport system for procurement and production is the use of a logistics network. This involves bundling the transport runs via a hub system (a star-shaped network with a central hub) which the Components Segment will also be utilising from May 2010 onwards.
This logistics network in the Lighting Segment is also linked to the sales network which works in line with the fast and ecologically meaningful "milk run principle" (with just-in-time deliveries). Wherever it makes sense, return trips from customers are used to transport raw materials and semi-finished products to the respective production plants. Another aspect that supports the more efficient use of resources in the transport sector is the ongoing optimization of order picking processes.
The increased level of procurement in China by the Components Segment is to be offset by making better use of the volume of freight, e.g. using less packaging material or loading the chosen means of transport more efficiently. The capacity of containers, for example, is to be exploited more effectively and to this end a suitable packaging concept is being drawn up. Prototypes were tested in the 2009/10 financial year.
