On a fast-track schedule, consolidate three warehouses into a central automated distribution center, located in Cincinnati, OH.

Beiersdorf®, Inc. is an international manufacturer and distributor of skin care, health support, and first aid products, with leading brands including: Nivea, Eucerin, Futuro, and Curad.

When Beiersdorf acquired Futuro, it operated three U.S. distribution centers, all utilizing outdated technology. The company needed advanced distribution systems and better processes to achieve labor-cost efficiencies and provide excellent customer service.

Working with Beiersdorf’s U.S. and German corporate staffs, FORTE designed and implemented a state-of-the-art 250,000 sq. ft. distribution center, which utilizes very narrow aisle (VNA) storage, high-speed conveyors, radio frequency technologies, and a powerful WMS.

FORTE engineering consultants utilized the CONTINUIMi™ DC Planning and Design software module to evaluate Beiersdorf’s operations and develop recommendations for improvement. FORTE determined the size and configuration of the new facility and engineered the building to an “architect-ready” state. With single-source accountability, FORTE provided planning, design, and implementation services for all material handling, packaging, and software integration.

• Beiersdorf’s host ERP system and WMS, both located at the Norwalk, CT offices, communicates in real time with the automation system in Cincinnati via FORTE’s CONTINUIMi DC Automation Director middleware module.
• Following a fast-track schedule, the entire project was completed in 11 months.

• Beiersdorf received the “Excellence In Logistics Award” from LogisticsToday magazine (formerly Transportation and Distribution magazine).
• Modern Materials Handling magazine featured it as “Warehouse of the Month”.
• Beiersdorf, Inc. was named a Wal-Mart® “Vendor of the Year” for its on-time shipments and quality customer service.

• Order turnaround capability is less than 1 hour
• Received a 15 percent return on investment
• Increased capacity 100 percent
• Increased shipping accuracy to more than 99 percent
• Increased picking accuracy to more than 99 percent
• Increased on-time delivery to more than 99 percent
• Reduced labor cost by 25 percent
• Reduced operating expense by 15 percent

“Beiersdorf was looking for a single firm with the experience and capabilities to deliver a highly-automated facility in a very short time frame… FORTE told me what their team could do, and they delivered.”

- Director of Distribution, Beiersdorf®