Berner Group reports that it is sticking to its ambitious investment plan despite the coronavirus crisis. The family-owned business will invest nearly €60 million in numerous projects to expand logistics and production capacities in Germany and the Netherlands.
Christian Berner, CEO of the Berner Group, states: “We want to gain market share in the long-term. That is why we are investing. The past few months in particular have shown how well our business model can support us, even in crisis mode.”
The centerpiece of this investment will be the new European central warehouse in Kerkrade, the Netherlands. From there the Berner Group will not only serve the Benelux countries as before, but soon also the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region. The aim is to supply customers on the day they order.
Despite the coronavirus crisis, the Berner Group has been able to push ahead with its mammoth project in Kerkrade as planned. The first employees have already moved into the office wing of the new headquarters. Final preparations are currently underway to transport products from the previous logistics centre in Landgraaf. The available floor space will increase from the current 7,000m² to 25,000m², with the possibility of expanding to up to 40,000m². At the same time, the number of articles in stock will increase from 18,000 to 25,000. The project is expected to be completed in autumn.
The new logistics centre and the good local infrastructure will then enable Berner to supply customers not only in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, but also in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region – a densely populated area with an additional 10 million inhabitants and more than 60,000 businesses – within hours of ordering. “This can be a very decisive advantage in a highly competitive market,” emphasises Christoph Möltgen, member of the Berner Group executive board responsible for logistics.
Strengthening the headquarters
Over the coming months, the wholesaler will also invest a mid-six-figure sum in the delivery centre of the subsidiary Berner Deutschland. “The modernisation of our delivery centre in Künzelsau is another important component in our European logistics offensive,” says Christoph Möltgen. “Through investments in technical systems, IT and operating equipment, as well as the targeted improvement of workflows, structures and processes, we can further consolidate our strong position as the leading B2B specialist in the Central region.”
Berner is primarily investing in conveyor technology enhancements. For example, the storage section and two empty container sections in the goods receiving area are each being extended by about 20 metres. This will enable workstations to be created that are directly linked to the installations. Here, goods destined for storage in the pick/pack warehouse can be directly processed. The mounting of storage containers on the conveyor belt is also completely integrated into this process. This reduces the manual effort – thereby saving valuable time.
Will joined Fastener + Fixing Magazine in 2007 and over the last 15 years has experienced every facet of the fastener sector - interviewing key figures within the industry and visiting leading companies and exhibitions around the globe.
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