Major distributor of cleaning and hygiene products turns to Yale Europe Materials Handling for a complete solution

A major distributor of cleaning and hygiene products in southern Germany has turned to Yale Europe Materials Handling for a complete solution to its warehouse needs after expanding into new, custom-built facilities on the outskirts of Nurnberg. The company recently took delivery of several new high level order pickers to boost its materials handling fleet to ensure that the new warehouse operates as efficiently as possible in a fast-moving market place.

Founded in 1932, Durner GmbH & Co. KG has seen continual growth over the past decade and is now one of the leading suppliers of its kind in and around the historic Bavarian city of Nurnberg. Its clients include schools, hospitals, industrial plants, facility management enterprises and civic buildings. Thanks to its continued growth Durner GmbH & Co. KG was able to move into new headquarters with a combined area of approx. 26,000 sq m, including 8,000 sq m of warehouse space, 2,000 sq m of offices and training rooms, and a 300 sq m showroom.

Between 400 and 600 pallets per day are loaded or unloaded at its 12 inward and outward gates, whilst a 24 hour pick up station also operates outside the usual 07.00 to 16.30 shift pattern.

The operation at Durner is both fast-paced and complex with over 10,000 product lines located in 8,500 pallet locations. The company’s reputation for on time delivery of customer orders required the development of a flexible materials handling solution to ensure that its 34-strong warehouse team could meet the company’s ‘on time every time’ philosophy.

As a result of a long-standing relationship with dealer, M + S Bauer GmbH, Yale was approached to develop the ideal solution for the new warehouse facility.

Sunhild Bauer-Signorotto, Geschaftsfuehrerin of M + S Bauer GmbH , explained: "Durner now operates a fleet of 17 trucks, all supplied as part of a wider service and maintenance contract with our company.

"At the heart of the fleet are 10, new MO10E mid-level order pickers, backed up by five MR14 reach trucks and a number of pedestrian pallet trucks and other ancillary equipment."

Frau Bauer went on to explain that pallets of incoming goods are unloaded using pedestrian pallet trucks before the reach trucks are used to move them into their allocated space in the racking system. The highest level of the racking, at a height of 6.8 m is used for unopened pallets and these are moved to a lower position when they are needed.

"The MO10 is ideally suited to this type of work," Frau Bauer continued. "The open platform offers easy access and picking whilst also providing good all round visibility.

"Other key features include advanced steering controls for maximum manoeuvrability and a low, 170 mm step height with a cushioned operator presence platform allows the operator easy unobstructed access from both sides of the truck. This versatility makes it easy for operators to move quickly and safely between locations to pick individual items for orders that may include a wide range of products. Orders are then despatched from one of the despatch bays or collected in person by the customer from a 24-hour collection counter."

The new equipment has been well received by both operators and management at the facility, according to Herr Ettel, Durner Warehouse Manager.

"We have worked successfully with M + S Bauer and Yale for the last six years and during this time reliability of the Yale product and the service provided by the dealer has never been an issue. We know we can rely on excellent service and routine maintenance support from them when we need it."

"Since moving into the new warehouse earlier this year, the new order pickers have proved to be ideal for our operation. The operators have all commented on how intuitive the controls are and how much more comfortable they are to operate. This has resulted in increased productivity throughout the warehouse."

Durner is one of the larger companies in a nationwide group of companies that has become a quality leader in the cleaning and hygiene industry. Following the move to new premises the company is prepared for future growth, with the new facility in Nurnburg designed to accommodate further expansion.

Herr Ettel went on to say the decision to award the contract to M + S Bauer was based on three key factors. "The first was the experience we have had over the last six years in the reliability of the Yale product and the service support M + S Bauer has provided," he continued. "The second was the specification of the Yale products and the flexibility it could bring to our business.

"Thirdly and most importantly, was the willingness of M + S Bauer to provide the technical and application support we needed to develop a materials handling solution that would meet our existing and future needs."

Added Heribert Kosa, Yale regional manager: "As Durner goes from strength to strength, Yale and our distribution partner M + S Bauer, will always be on hand to ensure the company has the most flexible, efficient and cost effective materials handling solution for their needs."
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