Inside the network, we often see ideas that improve how projects run. Small shifts that change the outcome. One example is ZUFALL’s “4:1 Mission”.
At the heart of this collaboration was one thing: the customer. A customer needed to source 18 different items from suppliers across Asia, over 200,000 pieces in total, and deliver them as fully assembled displays to central warehouses. In the past, these were imported already assembled, requiring significant volume. In 2022, this approach was rethought. Instead of shipping finished displays, assembly was moved to Göttingen.
To make this work, Bert Brinckmann, Customer Advisor at ZUFALL, developed an approach during a time of extremely high sea freight costs, focusing on closer collaboration across teams and a more sustainable setup.
By shifting assembly to Germany, the impact was immediate. Import volume was reduced by around 80%. What previously required five 40ft containers to transport finished displays from China could now be handled with just one container by shipping unassembled goods packed efficiently in cartons.
An additional benefit followed naturally. The display cartons could now be produced locally in Germany, improving the sustainability of the entire process.
An A-Team Was Formed
Building on this idea, a detailed plan was developed and executed together with colleagues across multiple locations, a true A-Team effort.
The order was clear: import 200,000 individual parts from Asia and deliver them as 4,000 fully assembled displays to central warehouses on fixed deadlines.
The plan brought multiple divisions within the ZUFALL logistics group together on a single project. One team managed overall coordination and transport from Asia to Göttingen. Another handled customs clearance. Additional teams took care of assembly, packaging, and final delivery to the warehouses.
The plan worked.
With assembly and packing moved to Germany, freight costs were significantly reduced by eliminating the need for multiple containers. At the same time, the sustainability footprint improved, with packaging produced locally.
“It’s fun to implement such large-scale projects with reliable and committed partners,” the customer shared. And when the customer is happy, the team is even happier.
The Outcome
For the very first order, the goods arrived late from Asia while the delivery deadline was brought forward at the same time.
Even so, the teams handled the challenge with flexibility and commitment. All displays reached the warehouses on time, resulting in a satisfied customer and a third follow-up order.
Learn more about Zufall Logistics Group : https://www.zufall.de/en/
