31 new vehicles, 13 second-hand vehicles, and three vintage cars, which are still fully operational thanks to good maintenance, handle the dispatch of 1,700 containers annually at Simba with products from the world's most popular toy brands. In addition to quality tests and packaging, the employees in the Thuringian warehouses ensure that all toys reach their destination safely and on time to bring joy to children. Jungheinrich also provided the shelf systems and a local service technician who is well-acquainted with the vehicles and assists in daily operations.
Fewer Emissions, Higher Productivity
The vehicles of the "Jungheinrich POWERLiNE" stand out not only for their performance and agility but also for high ergonomics and safety standards. The vehicle line also impresses in terms of sustainability, as the reduced energy consumption of lithium-ion technology leads to significantly lower CO2 emissions. Already now, toy manufacturer Simba has switched almost the entire fleet to electric vehicles and intends to continue this in the future.
"Get in, turn the key, drive off," Simba forklift driver Markus Schubert is enthusiastic about the ease of use of the lithium-ion vehicles.
Thanks to the ergonomically optimized comfort charging process, the lithium-ion batteries can be quickly charged even during short breaks. And all without the need to refill water or perform
other checks. This pays off particularly when business is booming, such as during the Christmas season. The significantly smaller integrated battery also allows for maximum maneuverability and optimal visibility – for efficient and safe working.
24/7 On-Site Customer Service
To ensure smooth one-shift operations in the warehouse, Jungheinrich service technician Tino Stephan takes care of necessary repairs to the equipment on-site. He is in close contact with those responsible and has long become an integral part of the team. Simba employees can contact him around the clock. He quickly resolves any malfunctions and ensures the timely execution of maintenance. This extends the lifespan of the vehicles and reduces repair costs. An individual service that the customer no longer wants to miss.
"Jungheinrich provided us with an all-round care package with the latest technology and comprehensive service for high reliability," comments Norbert Pillmann, Branch Manager Simba Dickie Group.
Modernizing the fleet with lithium-ion vehicles and optimizing warehouse processes increase productivity, safety, and sustainability in handling global merchandise shipments at toy manufacturer Simba Dickie Group. The POWERLiNE reach truck ETV 216i, the order picker ECE 220, the pallet truck EJE 114i, and other electric industrial trucks are used. In addition, there are shelving systems in all 16 warehouses and mobile workstations for fast and
efficient labeling.
The modernization of the vehicle fleet led to higher productivity, while the increased use of lithium-ion technology enhanced sustainability, and the presence of the Jungheinrich technician on-site reduced repair costs.
In conversation with: Norbert Pillmann, Head of Simba Central Warehouse Sonneberg.
What were the reasons for the modernization of the fleet and why did you choose vehicles from the Jungheinrich POWERLiNE?
To handle the high turnover in our central warehouse, our fleet must be maximally efficient at all times. To achieve this, we have switched almost the entire Simba fleet to lithium-ion technology with the help of a trained Jungheinrich customer service technician on-site, who continuously optimizes our fleet. Besides the main goals of better energy efficiency, higher safety, and easy charging processes, the sustainability of the fleet is incredibly important to us. Therefore, we rely on modern technologies to improve our CO2 balance and remain competitive in the long term. Jungheinrich POWERLiNE vehicles are the perfect solution for us to reconcile our sustainability goals with our efficiency requirements.
How would you describe the main advantages in daily work with the lithium-ion vehicles?
On the one hand, we are impressed by the agility of the vehicles, which results from the significantly smaller battery. The forklifts are extremely maneuverable, greatly improving
space utilization in the warehouse. On the other hand, the sustainable drive technology reduces our daily energy consumption. The lithium-ion vehicles are more powerful, faster, safer, quieter, and easy to operate. The operator enjoys the highest comfort in a more spacious workplace and benefits from uncomplicated charging processes. We love to see how all our lithium-ion vehicles are neatly lined up at the charging stations, ready to refuel energy for the new workday.
Would you recommend Jungheinrich and do you plan to undertake future projects together?
The Simba Dickie Group already looks back on a long and successful cooperation with Jungheinrich. We would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to keep their logistics up to date and appreciates good quality. We are especially convinced by the open communication, the use of innovative technologies, and the willingness to explore new paths together. What may now seem like future music could soon become reality: After expanding our fleet in terms of electromobility, the first steps towards automation are surely not far away. We would like to realize this vision with Jungheinrich as a partner by our side.
The Project at a Glance: Simba Dickie Group
- Industry: Toy Manufacturer
- Company Size: 3,000 employees
- Location: Sonneberg, Germany
- Warehouse Size: 55,000 m² warehouse area (Outdoor warehouse:
