Mühlacker/Augsburg/Munich, 22 April 2025 – Craiss Generation Logistik GmbH & Co. KG is pressing ahead with the expansion of its logistics network and is expanding its strategic collaboration with a leading manufacturer from the mobility sector. As part of this, the logistics company is opening two new locations in Augsburg and Munich, which are scheduled to be gradually put into operation by the end of 2025. With this expansion, the company is responding to the increasing production requirements of its customer. While the Munich location is directly integrated into the production supply, Augsburg will take on the function of an external logistics centre, with extensive storage and handling infrastructure.
"With these new locations, we are continuing our successful strategy in the field of production logistics and creating an efficient connection to our customer's production operations," says Michael Craiss, Managing Partner of Craiss Generation Logistik GmbH & Co. KG. The decision to base the logistics centre in Augsburg was founded on economic and logistical factors. The logistics company has moved into two halls that already offer modern storage infrastructure. The site will be expanded in two phases: the first hall, encompassing 10,000 square metres, is currently in the implementation phase, and the first incoming goods tests are already being carried out. Full regular operations will be achieved with the gradual commissioning of the second hall: the full ramp-up to 20,000 square metres is planned for the end of 2025.
Michael Mantel, Head of Project Development at Craiss, says: "Munich is an expensive place – and that applies both to living space and to logistics properties. The price conditions make a relocation to nearby locations such as Augsburg sensible from an economic point of view." The modern storage infrastructure and the convenient connection to the A8 motorway enable cost-efficient and flexible supply of the plant in the Bavarian capital.
Craiss already successfully implemented the concept of the external logistics warehouse for the mobility customer in a comparable project. "At the Austrian site in Ebergassing, we are already operating a logistics centre for the same customer that covers more than 40,000 square metres, and we have proven there that our external logistics solutions can be successfully integrated into its production processes," explains Mantel. This tried-and-tested experience now serves as the basis for the new locations.
Specific functions of the new locations
The location in Munich is directly integrated into the supply of the plant and takes on central tasks in production logistics. These include receiving goods, unloading with crane technology, putting items into storage, and request-based just-in-time delivery of structural components for the railway industry to the relevant production areas in the plant.
The external logistics centre in Augsburg enables efficient materials management and flexible control of delivery flows. The Munich plant is supplied via a shuttle system with semi-trailers, which ensure regular, precisely timed deliveries several times a day. The goods are picked on demand, loaded, and delivered to the internal consumers upon arrival in Munich.
"We are talking about a deep integration of materials management into our customer's process landscape. In the railway industry, in particular, the logistical requirements are particularly high – from punctual delivery to strict safety and quality standards. Our experience from comparable projects helps us to meet these requirements," says Mantel.
An essential part of production logistics is the safe handling of complex components. The range of components to be moved extends from small parts to 23-metre-long components for passenger carriages, locomotives and control cars. The range of parts includes interior fittings, cables, electronics, batteries, chassis components, windows, doors and transition elements. In order to meet the special requirements, Craiss is investing in industrial truck technology, which is needed for handling heavy and long-format components.
Capacity expansion and long-term strategy
In addition to the construction of modern storage and transshipment areas, Craiss is investing in specialised crane technology for the safe handling of heavy components. At the same time, the staff will be increased in order to meet the growing demands. The plan is to gradually expand the workforce at both locations to a total of around 75 employees.
With this expansion, Craiss is strengthening its role as a strategic partner in its customer's production logistics. The company is continuously evaluating further expansion opportunities in order to provide flexible and scalable logistics solutions for the industry in the long term. Michael Craiss emphasises: "Thanks to our proven concepts and close coordination with our customer, we are creating a highly integrated logistics solution that guarantees both efficiency and process reliability."