- New building includes automated warehouse as well as logistics and office space
- Increased logistics capacity for growing wheel loader production figures
- Investment, job creation in logistics and new vocational training
After just two years construction work, a new logistics centre was put into service in April in Bischofshofen, Austria . Since it was founded in 1960, Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH has been writing success stories: over the decades, its factory has developed into a centre of expertise for the Liebherr Group’s wheel loaders and has distinguished itself through technical innovations, continually increasing production figures and wide-ranging job opportunities. To stay successful, Liebherr continually invests in the future of the site.
The investment of around € 26 million includes a state-of-the-art automated warehouse with space for over 12,000 pallets and over 33,500 small load carriers, generous logistics and office space and a photovoltaic rooftop installation to generate electricity. “This year, we will produce another record number of wheel loaders. Our unit numbers have more or less doubled in the last six years. The new logistics centre is an essential part of the infrastructure necessary to meet the continually rising global demand for Liebherr wheel loaders in the future”, explains Peter Schachinger, Director of Production and Operations at Liebherr Werk Bischofshofen.
With the new logistics centre, Liebherr is also creating an exciting work environment for skilled jobs in logistics. Innovations such as modern operating materials, ergonomic lifting devices and automated material flows reduce physical strain for staff. They optimise working conditions for employees and also make it easier for workers from other industries to enter the profession. “I am particularly pleased that we could add another apprenticeship to our wide range of options: to become an operation logistics specialist”, Schachinger adds.
New logistics centre: more efficient processes and more jobs
The automated warehouse, which is designed as a fully automatic high-bay warehouse, is the heart of the new logistics centre. Its massive storage capacity and the automation of complex storage processes help make optimal usage of the limited factory space. For example, the material flow from receipt of goods to the station at which the tugger trains are prepared for delivery to the assembly line can extend over multiple storeys in the new building complex. A practical and special feature is the innovative storage technology which automatically moves the goods onto trolleys after order picking. This removes the need for complicated manual intermediate steps, for example using a pallet truck, before the new tugger trains deliver the prepared material to the assembly lines.
“These innovations in our intralogistics help us to handle the increasing material flows and make our processes even more efficient. The growth in automation will not put any jobs at risk, but will in fact create additional attractive jobs”, says Schachinger. The fields of work are diverse, from logistics planning, warehouse and goods administration to in-house transportation and plant technology.
