trailer world issue Three 2009

Issue Three 2009 31 LogisticsPhotos:Sennheiser,Hellmann Acompany producing auditory pleasure offers both innovative technology and the emotional aspects involved in sound. For lifelike reception by the most active of all human sensory organs. Sennheiser – that is music in the ears of a global fan community. Synonymous with mikes, headphones and wireless transmission technology in first-class quality. Wedemark is a small town with a population of 30,000 to the north west of Hanover and home to good sound. Research and de- velopment centre, production site, company headquarters. And the heart of global supply chain management (SCM). This is where four years ago, Sennheiser launched a “global distribution” initiative. The intention was to optimise delivery capability to the company’s cu- stomer base and realign the worldwide network of production sites, supplier firms, subsidiaries and distribution partners. “Essentially it was a case of pooling and reducing glo- bal stocks”, is how Andreas Kahl, SCM and Logistics Director at Sennheiser, describes his demands for the logistics concept. “And we also wanted to enhance the performance of our delivery processes.” The service provider of choice was Hellmann Worldwide Logi- stics. The firm from Osnabrück fulfils the audio specialist’s ideal profile in several respects. In 2002 the global logistics company had already demonstrated its capabilities in numerous projects for Senn- heiser. It offers a complex transport and logistics network spread all over the world with 210 branches in 47 countries. It offers the ex- pertise of an experienced contract logistics service provider. And it offers the flexibility of an SME company which places Hellmann at Sennheiser’s side as an ally when it comes to globalisation. “We feel well taken care of at Hellmann, as a customer we are not just an also-ran”, says Heidrun Streich, SCM and logistics employee with Sennheiser. “Hellmann is an SME business just like we are. The cultural match plays a crucial role in a well-functioning, long- standing partnership between the two companies”, she emphasises. Both firms stand out with low staff fluctuation levels, a high degree of direct responsibility and swift response times. “Many important interfaces are on a personal level”, says Streich, who also appreciates “the immediate accessibility of Mr. Hellmann himself”. Time and again, observers are amazed by the perfect nature of the cultural match. Both companies operate on the same wavelength, sometimes forming “tandems” where employees are given a chance to gain a better understanding of how things run in the other side’s warehouse, ship- ping division or commercial departments. Trips to Hellmann’s central warehouse in Osnabrück are part and parcel of the training opportunities made available to the Senn- heiser workforce. Even so, Sennheiser is still a demanding customer, as Andreas Kahl underlines: “We are a premium brand which means we also make high demands particularly in terms of logistics.” Sennheiser defines the principles for restructuring its global logi- stics, and Hellmann develops a corresponding “Sennheiser Master Plan”. The result is a logistics infrastructure that focuses the global flow of goods on three warehousing sites. “Central versus local, »As customer not just an also-ran.« Premium logistics for a premium brand: the logistics ﬁrm Hellmann from Osnabrück is out on the roads of the entire world for Sennheiser.

trailer world issue Three 2009

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