ZOW 2015: The cost-efficient handling of small lot sizes

Logistics Forum to showcase efficient logistics solutions with value-added potential

[Bad Salzuflen, 16 December] Furniture buyers demand individualised products, top quality and short delivery periods at the lowest possible price. With far-reaching consequences for the furniture logistics sector – after all, the customised furniture must reach the client on time without any missing parts or damage, and has to be assembled on site. “The significance of logistics as a factor for success is still underestimated – manufacturers and dealers could, for example, optimise their material and information flow by means of consistent data communication”, explains Andreas Ruf,
Deputy Manager of the Association of the German Household Furniture Industry (VdDW - Verband der Deutschen Wohnmöbelindustrie e. V.).
Ruf, who will be curating the Logistics Forum at the forthcoming ZOW, does not only wish to raise the awareness of exhibitors and visitors concerning these problems but also seeks to prepare them for future standards. The focal point of the Forum will, therefore, be methods and technologies with which enterprises can gear their logistics systems towards the one-of-a-kind trend.

In order to meet customer requirements concerning individualised, one-off products, furniture producers and their suppliers are also increasingly resorting to product differentiations. However, the increase in the diversity of variants also results in higher demands being placed on these industry players. The forthcoming ZOW will, therefore, be focusing its attention on the individualisation of serially produced furniture and providing potential solutions for individual steps along the value chain in seven forums and special exhibition areas. Exhibitors and visitors coming to the Logistics Forum will learn which methods can be adopted by producers, suppliers and dealers for the holistic optimisation of logistic processes – a condition required for lean production and thus also for product individualisation.

Optimised information flow minimises waiting times
Batch size reduction results, for example, in an increase in the number of components. “The larger the programme, the faster and more flexibly logistics needs to react”, explains curator Ruf. “The synchronisation of production and logistics processes is, therefore, necessary in order to be prepared for these demands brought about by individualisation.” Material flow concepts such as “on demand” and “just in time” can be brought to bear in the organisation of complex production processes and transport chains: In the case of the just-in-time concept, inventories are kept as low as possible at the production site by delivering exact quantities of materials at a specified time – requirements are synchronised with demand accordingly. At the same time, however, there is an increase in the amount of time and effort required when it comes to communication, which can be handled by a parallel information flow: “Nevertheless, a high diversity of variants requires consistent data communication as well as intelligent logistics systems in the form of networked order picking, transportation and storage of the furniture systems”, remarks the sector specialist. Therefore, the integrated data model IDM Wohnen is currently being developed under the aegis of VdDW and the association Daten Competence Center e.V. This model is a cross-company standard for catalogue data, which serves as the basis for all downstream, electronic processes, from the order to invoicing. “Uniform standards are the key to raising the potential along commodity flows which is still lying dormant”, explains Ruf. This has been recognised by retail, industry and logistics trade associations: These movement processes are currently being devised in an interdisciplinary study group and tested in practical situations.

One focal issue of the forum dealt with by the Deputy Manager of VdDW will be new furniture logistics and thus the storage, delivery and assembly of furniture systems. “New furniture logistics has become a bone of contention between manufacturers and dealers. Therefore, we will be illustrating at the Forum how all of the parties concerned can benefit from an efficient, networked supply chain” states Ruf.
At the same time, the effects of product differentiation on individual parameters within the field of logistics will also be addressed as a central issue. A case in point here concerns furniture fitters who are required to familiarise themselves with specifications for each delivery due to swift product changes and an increasing number of variants. Members of staff must undergo continual training in order to keep complaint rates low. This is also taken into careful consideration in holistic logistics concepts, which thus also play a role in optimisation.”

With its clear focus on the exchange of knowledge and experience along the entire production chain, the forthcoming ZOW will once again be offering exhibitors and trade visitors a high degree of value added - from design to production and logistics through to store presentation. The 21st edition of the international fair for suppliers to the furniture and interior design industries will be held at Bad Salzuflen Exhibition Centre from 9th to 12th February 2015.

Clarion Events can trace its roots back to 1947 and takes great pride in being one of the oldest independent event organisers in the UK. More recently the firm has developed an international portfolio of brands and now has interests in a number of global vertical industries.

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This release was published on openPR.