Since 1994, approximately 190 employees have been preparing around 500,000 meals a day on an area of 15,000 square meters in the Fontane city Neuruppin. A broad fleet of Jungheinrich order pickers, forklifts, and reach trucks aids them in this. The food manufacturer has opted for a rental solution in order to, on the one hand, calculate with monthly predictable rates and, on the other, reduce maintenance and repair costs, especially those incurred in the cooling area, in the long term.
Lithium-Ion Technology on the Rise
Sustainability is a priority in Dreistern's production. This applies not only to the freshness of the food and the environmental friendliness of the packaging solutions. Almost the entire vehicle fleet has already been converted to lithium-ion technology to improve the company's CO2 footprint. Especially in demanding multi-shift operations, the customer benefits from short charging times and long service readiness. In addition to their low weight and maintenance-free nature, lithium-ion batteries convince with high safety and user-friendly handling.
To handle large turnover volumes, Dreistern relies on a three-story flow and drive-in racking warehouse. The space-saving racking solution forms the optimal basis for the timely picking of goods with a best-before date and the temperature-controlled storage of food in the low-temperature range.
“Whether it’s a special vehicle solution or
a complex racking system – we appreciate the competent advice from Jungheinrich,” says Florian Buschkühle, authorized signatory at Dreistern Konserven GmbH & Co. KG.
In the cold storage room, galvanized ETV reach trucks and low-lift vehicles are used, as the floor conveyors are more susceptible to corrosion and other signs of wear at low temperatures. Furthermore, the vehicles in the cooling area are replaced with new vehicles every 4 years to comply with strict hygiene standards.
High Availability Thanks to Full Service
When it is time to replace a forklift or perform necessary maintenance, the customer need not worry – the booked rental solution includes Jungheinrich's full-service package.
“The technicians come on their own, we don’t have to hire them or schedule an extra appointment,” says Uwe Krusius, technical director at Dreistern.
The service ranges from oil changes and battery inspections to due repairs. A performance that keeps the customer’s back free in stressful times and ensures consistently high vehicle availability at all times.
The intralogistics specialist Jungheinrich has re-equipped various storage areas, including cold storage, at the food producer Dreistern to increase storage capacity and optimize the picking of food with a best-before date. A comprehensive logistics solution was implemented with multi-place, drive-in, flow, and shuttle racks, lithium-ion vehicles, and special floor
conveyors for use in low-temperature storage areas. The result is maximized space capacity thanks to space-saving racking systems, a wide-ranging fleet with suitable vehicles for every need, and increased efficiency through the enhanced use of lithium-ion vehicles.
In conversation: Uwe Krusius, technical director of Dreistern Konserven.
Why did you choose a comprehensive logistics system from Jungheinrich?
For us, it is ideal to have a fixed contact person for the implementation of logistics solutions for our complex processes and to obtain all components from a single source. The responsible employees of Jungheinrich know our logistics requirements and specifications exactly. Whether flow racks for dynamic pallet storage, racks with shuttle systems, or drive-in racks in the cooling area – at the end of the day, it always comes down to optimal interaction between racks and devices in the full warehouse. With Jungheinrich's logistics system, which has grown over the years, we have achieved exactly this: a perfect symbiosis of all components.
The majority of your fleet consists of lithium-ion vehicles. Can you explain what you see as the main advantages of the technology?
We have consistently evaluated the use of lithium-ion technology in our warehouse positively. Initially started with a single lithium-ion vehicle for testing, we are now upgrading as many vehicles as possible to
the advanced technology. The advantages are numerous, and the investment for the acquisition is not much higher than the costs for a "normal" vehicle. With lithium-ion technology, our vehicles are available around the clock. The lithium-ion battery is lighter, maintenance-free, and does not require water. Inspections by employees are unnecessary, which saves time. Charging times are also much shorter, improving our entire workflow.
As a long-standing customer, are you satisfied with Jungheinrich's services and would you recommend the collaboration?
Within the scope of our partnership with Jungheinrich, which has existed since the 1990s, a very good relationship has developed between our employees and the Jungheinrich team. In the event of unexpected failures, we can always rely on Jungheinrich's fleet and receive replacement vehicles at very short notice. This is not something we take for granted. Although Jungheinrich's floor conveyors are priced, we have never been disappointed by the quality and performance of the vehicles. Maintenance runs smoothly, repairs are carried out quickly, and when new projects arise, we always feel well advised. Therefore, we can definitely recommend the collaboration with Jungheinrich.
The project at a glance:
- Customer: Dreistern Konserven GmbH & Co. KG
- Industry: Food Manufacturer
- Company size: 190 employees
- Location: Neuruppin, Germany
- Warehouse size: 15,000 m2 production area (10,000 m2 storage area)
