New central warehouse for e-commerce and store supply
io was commissioned as a lead consultant for the architecture, TBE and logistics, from initial planning through to implementation.
E-commerce and store supply
After a four-year search for a location for its new central warehouse, the company finally found an appropriate site on the outskirts of Munich. E-commerce business, in particular, had outgrown its throughput and warehouse capacity. It quickly became clear that Best Secret needed to centralize its multiple warehouse locations for e-commerce and conventional retail outlets.
Flexible automation
Alongside the cost-effectiveness aspect, a key factor was to ensure flexibility in order to react to changing growth forecasts and usage scenarios. The new logistics system is also designed to cater for potential shifts between typical e-commerce processes with small, short-term client orders and high return rates to cross-docking supply chain management.
The central and flexible heart of the system encompasses three major platform systems for storing, picking and sorting hanging and flat-packed garments. io predominantly focused on optimizing all labor and time-intensive processes. Returns handling, in particular, is a constant logistics challenge. io implemented various automated processes to manage these smoothly.
Up to 25,000 parcels with the prestigious logo leave the logistics center every day. A usable logistics area of 100,000 m2 was created across the 30,000 m2 of floor space, providing 200,000 storage places for flat-packed goods and 30,000 running meters for hanging goods.
io was the perfect partner for us in planning and implementing the largest investment in our company’s history. io’s industry expertise and experience, the integrated approach to the project’s logistics, architecture and IT challenges, and the team’s professional project management skills completely convinced us.
Key Facts
Client
Best Secret GmbH is a family-run company in its third generation that looks back on more than 90 years of entrepreneurship. Founded in Munich in 1924, it is now an international fashion corporation with an established global clientele. The exclusive Best Secret online store is a closed shopping community.
The challenge
- Mastering increasing demand in e-commerce
- Logistical challenge of returns handling
Solution
- Expansion of throughput and storage capacity
- Centralization of several warehouse locations
- Optimized personnel and time-intensive processes
