ELSEN Logistics and ZF Celebrating 20 Years at the Koblenz Location

On June 10, 2002, ELSEN Logistik GmbH in Mülheim-Kärlich near Koblenz processed the first goods receipt for the automotive supplier ZF, then TRW Lucas Automotive: a special transport from France. Until that point, the now full-service logistics provider operated solely as a freight forwarder. With the order from the international automotive customer, the leap into logistics was made. This year, both companies are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their partnership.

(Mühlheim-Kärlich) “The commissioning by ZF was an important milestone for us for two reasons. At that time, we not only won our first intralogistics contract through a tender, but we also entered into a special partnership that is still successful today,” says Peter Dennert, Managing Director of ELSEN Logistik GmbH. In Mülheim-Kärlich near Koblenz, the first operational logistics operation for ZF (then TRW) was established in 2002 with 28 employees, who managed an area of 2,500 m² in a three-shift operation and supplied production at the customer site in Koblenz from there.

Starting with classic logistics activities such as goods receipt, order picking, and transport to production, ELSEN today not only takes over a large part of the intralogistics processes but also highly specialized value-added services for the customer. Quality controls such as microscopic and air-tightness tests, packaging and container management, as well as complaint management in goods receipt are handled at Carl-Spaeter-Straße 4 in the Koblenz industrial area. There, ELSEN established itself in 2009, when the business was expanded, directly next to the customer’s plant on a logistics area of 8,500 m². At the production plant in Koblenz, ZF produces brake and driving stability systems and develops mechanical and electronic brake systems as well as driver assistance systems.

Supply of Production Within Two Hours

The supply of ZF’s production takes place within two hours. For this purpose, scheduled transport trains from ELSEN supply the production lines in the plant with an average of 2,100 orders per day. ZF has relied on ELSEN as a logistics partner for 20 years. “We are proud to maintain such a long partnership with ZF, especially since, as is common in the automotive industry, we regularly have to undergo assessments and price reviews,” says Dennert.

Andreas Brune, Plant Manager and Managing Director of ZF Active Safety GmbH at the Koblenz location: “By strategically deciding to outsource parts of the logistics chain to ELSEN, we were able to fully concentrate on our core business. At ELSEN, we know that high process affinity meets deep logistics know-how. Moreover, they impress with flexibility and have always offered a good price-performance ratio. Last but not least, we appreciate the very trusting partnership with the team.”

Represented at Various Other Locations

In addition to the Koblenz region, ELSEN is also represented in Wittlich, Nuremberg, Schwäbisch Hall, Fürstenwalde near Berlin, and Erfurt. Companies such as the machine manufacturer BOMAG, the premium aircraft seat supplier Recaro Aircraft Seating, and the automotive supplier Musashi rely on ELSEN. In addition to contract logistics and transport, ELSEN also offers logistics consulting and personnel services.

Photo: © ELSEN / Image Caption (from left to right): Thomas Welter (Regional Operations Director ELSEN Logistik GmbH), Markus Jansen (Head of Logistics ZF), Andreas Brune (Managing Director of ZF Active Safety GmbH) and Peter Dennert (Managing Director of ELSEN Logistik GmbH)