Mühlacker/Warburg, 6th May 2025 – Craiss Generation Logistik GmbH & Co. KG celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Warburg site. The logistics centre on the factory premises of the automotive supplier BENTELER was opened in 2005, once Craiss and BENTELER already had a successful collaboration to look back on. Since then, the company from Mühlacker has been taking care in Warburg of incoming goods, the storage of purchased parts, and the subsequent supply of the customer's production department. What's more, Warburg plays a central role in the logistics company's IT system landscape: a new warehouse management system (WMS) was implemented here in 2012, which is now used across locations. As part of the anniversary, Craiss is planning a reception, which BENTELER will also attend.
"Our successful collaboration with BENTELER in warehouse logistics began in Warburg and was later continued in Schwandorf and Kleinenberg," says Jörg Schneider, Managing Director of Contract Logistics at Craiss Generation Logistik GmbH & Co. KG, stressing the strategic importance of the location for the group of companies, and adding: "Over the years, we have built up a close and trusting partnership with the customer, and we are constantly developing this further."
Having started with 20 people in 2005, the Warburg location is now home to 50 employees. Ralf Schulte, Logistics Manager at BENTELER in Warburg, says: "The location has grown over time, for example, through new production areas. Our collaboration with Craiss takes place on equal terms and is characterised by flexibility and a solution-oriented approach."
Introduction of the WMS in Warburg
The introduction of a new WMS in 2012 was a milestone. Compared with the previously used system, this WMS, according to Koltermann and Schulte, is more user-friendly and offers comprehensive analysis features, as well as the creation of rush orders. Schulte emphasises: "Craiss took all our requirements into account during implementation." This includes the option of establishing production supply sets during order picking. Marco Koltermann, Site Manager of the Warburg and Kleinenberg logistics centres at Craiss, explains: "If BENTELER needs materials from different containers, we are able to combine the items in advance in a single load carrier to save space and to document everything precisely."
Furthermore, the system allows for optimal traceability: "We can track the movements of each individual load carrier and are therefore always able to state the whereabouts of any container and its location. This data can, in turn, be used to increase efficiency," says Koltermann. In addition, the WMS is able to take account of different storage strategies and thus offers potential for optimisation. The system was implemented while operations were ongoing, without any downtime for BENTELER. "The successful introduction of the system in Warburg was also a test phase. By now, the warehouse management system is in use at six Craiss locations, and an expansion to three more is planned," says Koltermann.
Strong team spirit in Warburg
Over the past 20 years, the Craiss team in Warburg has grown closer and closer together. "We practise a culture of mutual support, not only in our collaboration with the customer but also internally. This has proven particularly effective in challenging times, such as during the coronavirus pandemic or when introducing new production lines," emphasises Koltermann. As a token of its appreciation and to give thanks for the last 20 years, the company is planning a joint reception with the local staff, the management, and BENTELER Warburg.
For the future, Craiss plans to further automate the processes in Warburg. Both companies also continue to strive for long-term collaboration.