SUCCESS STORY
Manufacturing and production

ebm-papst

A full 15,000 people work at ebm-papst every day to develop the best technology for fans and drives. They also use technical aids in their logistics to optimize processes.

80 %

Less communication with partners

50 %

Reduction of internal queries

100 %

Transparency in delivery coordination

SUCCESS STORY
Manufacturing and production

ebm-papst

A full 15,000 people work at ebm-papst every day to develop the best technology for fans and drives. They also use technical aids in their logistics to optimize processes.

80 %

Less communication with partners

50 %

Reduction of internal queries

100 %

Transparency in delivery coordination

€2.28 billion
Net sales 2021/22
51
Sales locations
29
Production sites
15.000
Employees

Digitization and the desire for progress  

The ebm-papst Group is the world's leading manufacturer of fans and drives. Since its founding in 1963, the technology leader has set international market standards with its core competencies of motor technology, electronics, digitalization and aerodynamics. In fiscal year 2021/22, the hidden champion generated a turnover of 2.288 billion EUR and employs nearly 15,000 people at 29 production sites and 51 sales locations worldwide.  

ebm-papst Landshut is part of the ebm-papst Group as the Heating Technology Division. Accordingly, the company is the world market leader in the development and manufacture of innovative gas-air systems. These technologies also use green and synthetic gases, as well as hydrogen or biogases. Furthermore, ebm-papst Landshut is working on future-oriented (system) solutions in the field of heat pumps and distribution.  

Coordinating the loading and unloading processes can be challenging when handling 1,250 pallets a day at inbound and 1,150 pallets a day at outbound. Until 2021, a traditional Time slot management supported the company in coordinating their deliveries. However, the desire for progress and transparency was great.  

The aim was to optimize capacities through the use of AI and to achieve transparency by making all data available in a single system. The goal was to find a platform that offers a person-free check-in and a modern and clear Time slot management . In addition, there should be the possibility of empties management and personnel deployment planning on the platform. The close cooperation with the forwarding agents should always be in focus, which is why it was clear that a collaboration software is needed that extends the classic Time slot management even further.  

Search and find

An effective Time slot management can make the work of both the manufacturing industry and the logistics service providers and forwarders involved easier. The best possible coordination of loading and unloading processes is necessary to ensure timely supply of production and thus punctual delivery of finished products to end customers.  

In order to make logistics more collaborative and efficient, TradeLink has set itself the task of filling the gaps in the existing systems. Since the handling of the conventional Time slot management systems is sometimes an obstacle for employees and partners, TradeLink was developed in such a way that the operation of the tool is very simple and self-explanatory. In addition, care is taken to ensure that the settlement process is also as simple as possible for partners, helping them to work more efficiently. A high-performance bidirectional API connection supports this.  

You can read more about the differences to conventional Time slot management systems here: https://www.tradelink.co/tradelink-versus-time slot  

The set up  

Once contact was established between ebm-papst Landshut and TradeLink, the set-up was designed to create results as quickly as possible. The focus was also on the development of the platform and the input of Landshut's employees.

ebm-papst Landshut defined their requirements for the new platform. In collaboration with TradeLink's Customer Success Team and the project team, these were specified and implemented.  

The TradeLink Check-In Terminal was created with ebm-papst Landshut and used directly at ebm-papst Landshut. In cooperation, the person-free check-in was developed in 21 languages for the Drivers . This represents an enormous relief for the information exchange with the Drivers from the most different countries of origin. In addition, a pager system was used to inform the Drivers specifically about information such as ramp assignment.

The check-in terminal is a great relief and time-saver for ebm-papst Landshut in its daily work. No employees are needed to register at the terminal and the process is contactless, which is very important to us, especially in times of Corona. Check-in is simply designed and understandable for everyone - the application is available in 21 languages.
Tina Hohenschläger
Project Manager, ebm-papst Landshut

First, ebm-papst Landshut's partners tested the platform's functions. Three in-house forwarding agents were brought on board for this purpose. The feedback was very positive:  

- The forwarders were satisfied  

- Communication to forwarding agents was reduced -> more efficient communication  

- Better coordination with subcontractors  

- A fast, efficient and transparent platform  

- Very good and fast support for questions  

Good collaboration is a prerequisite for a promising switch between two systems and an increase in satisfaction along the entire supply chain. That is why the positive feedback from the partners was so important for further collaboration.

In January 2022, the complete switch to TradeLink took place, in which all other freight forwarders were also included. Internal departments such as sales, purchasing and material planning were also quickly familiarized with the platform in order to be able to extract information from it independently.  

ebm-papst is the world market leader in the development and manufacture of innovative gas-air systems

Fast and measurable success

By using TradeLink, the logistic processes in inbound and outbound have been made more transparent. Among other things, it is now possible to track how long the loading of the trucks takes on average. Processes such as load securing protocols or the storage of external driver instruction are handled via TradeLink. In addition, supplier reporting is possible and personnel deployment planning can be simplified.  

"TradeLink has helped us not only in the logistical processes. Thanks to the platform, our processes have become leaner and more efficient, greatly reducing internal communication. The new system not only maps our requirements, but also those of our partners."

- Christian Stamp (Logistics Manager, ebm-papst Landshut)  

Communication with the forwarding agents could be reduced by approx. 80 % through TradeLink, since, for example, a change in a delivery can be corrected directly on the platform and the information is automatically communicated to the correspondingly stored delivery partners.  

According to ebm-papst Landshut, internal communication between departments has been minimized by using TradeLink. In addition, all stored data can be called up and processed by internal Users , which has led to a reduction in queries regarding deliveries and collections by around 50%.  

The future awaits us  

TradeLink provides ebm-papst Landshut with a central communication platform that can be used to map a wide range of logistics requirements. Forwarders and partners appreciate the free use of the portal and can carry out bookings independently. Functions requested by ebm-papst Landshut are, for example, an SAP connection, track & trace and the adjustment of status points. Connections for other ebm-papst Heating locations are being planned.  

TradeLink stands for further development and the whole team is working daily to use the platform to make cooperation in logistics more collaborative and transparent

Challenge:

Every day, 1,250 pallets are handled at inbound and 1,150 at outbound at ebm-papst Landshut. With this mass, there were repeated difficulties in coordinating the loading and unloading processes. Optimal utilization of the warehouse capacity was thus not possible.

Solution:

  • Use of the check-in terminal
  • Onboarding of all carriers and internal departments such as sales and purchasing
  • Storage of documents such as load securing protocols or the third-party driver instruction on the platform for more transparency

Key figures:

  • Communication with freight forwarders could be reduced by 80 %
  • Inquiries from partners have been reduced by 50%
  • Check-in terminal allows easy registration for truck drivers with 21 languages

Calculate your savings

More TradeLink success stories

Wholesale & Retail

Denner

With around 850 sales outlets, Denner AG is the leading discounter and the third largest food company in Switzerland in terms of sales.

Read now
Logistics service provider

TRAVECO

TradeLink digitizes and streamlines logistics processes at TRAVECO.

Read now
Wholesale & Retail

JBS

Read now
€2.28 billion
Net sales 2021/22
51
Sales locations
29
Production sites
15.000
Employees
Convinced to work with TradeLink:
SportScheck LogoThe Fiege logoHofmeister LogoThe Dehner logoLillydoo LogoThe Neumarkter Lammsbräu logo.The logo of Pets Premium
Internet Stores LogoThe Finecom logoDenner logoOutfittery LogoVossko LogoThe Traveco logoThe logo of Phoenix
SportScheck LogoThe Fiege logoHofmeister LogoThe Dehner logo
The Finecom logoOutfittery LogoDenner logoThe Traveco logo
Lillydoo LogoInternet Stores LogoThe logo of PhoenixThe Neumarkter Lammsbräu logo.

Your cost advantages with TradeLink

Calculate here how much savings you can realise with TradeLink based on your weekly transport volume.

Details of your logistics

Personal details

By submitting this form, you agree to our general terms of use for the management of your data.

Thank you very much, we will send you your calculation immediately.
Sorry, this did not work. Please make sure that all fields are filled in correctly.
TradeLink Design
Calculate savings