Logistics planning

We optimize your supply chain. Logistics planning directly impacts key economic performance indicators and influences both utilized and potential capacity. In other words, logistics planning is (almost) everything. Our service includes close, hands-on support with a sharp focus on performance and efficiency. In line with our approach to optimized logistics planning, we focus on the following key objectives for your organization.

• Efficient capacity utilization & effective warehouse expansion
• Inventory reduction on demand
• Optimization of delivery service and internal transport flows
• Transparent automation
• Increased logistics flexibility for changing requirements
• Room for customization

Optimization: We show you where you stand—and where the journey can take you.

The term “optimization” is often overused in the context of logistics planning. At its core, it means improving processes in terms of cost and time—faster and better, with reduced costs. What may sound simple in theory can only be achieved through precise project management and a strong focus on logistics. Invite us to learn more about your company.

Are you looking to improve the cost efficiency of your logistics or increase performance and capacity? Do you want to realign your logistics setup or expand your warehouse? Do you need to reduce inventory while improving service levels? Are you aiming to optimize internal transport flows and increase automation? And are you facing the challenge of adapting your logistics to changing requirements?

Logistics planning is the process of optimizing workflows and resources within a supply chain to ensure the efficient, cost-effective, and reliable delivery of goods and services. It includes planning inventory levels, production schedules, transport routes and costs, as well as coordinating suppliers and customers. Logistics planning plays a central role in supply chain management and helps reduce costs, improve delivery reliability, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Warehouse design is about more than arranging racks and material handling systems in a layout. We develop warehouse solutions that are seamlessly integrated into your end-to-end processes and enable maximum operational efficiency. Our service offering covers the full scope of planning, implementation, and project management—from targeted optimization measures to the realization of complete logistics centers. We operate globally and support your sites worldwide.

• Logistics System Audit
• Inventory Optimization
• Optimization and Modernization of Existing Facilities
• Development of Logistics and Warehouse Concepts
• Preparation of Requirements Specifications
• Detailed System Design
• Tender and Bid Management
• Implementation Support and Interface Coordination (Logistics, Construction, IT)
• Project Management (on time, within budget, within scope)
• Outsourcing Studies

Logistics planning takes place within a highly interconnected and complex environment. An increasing number of internal and external interfaces influence the required logistics performance on a daily basis. As a result, response times continue to shorten while peak demand levels continue to rise. Daily and seasonal fluctuations must be handled economically within a single system, creating a wide range of operating scenarios. The result is a high degree of complexity throughout your logistics operations. We help you manage this complexity. Our logistics concepts are validated through simulation, giving you confidence that the proposed solutions are practical, implementable, and capable of performing reliably under all operating conditions. This enables us to develop solutions that are flexible, scalable, and economically sustainable in operation.

For more than 40 years, we have been dedicated to developing customized logistics solutions for our customers. We design efficient, cost-effective, and future-ready solutions that take into account the dynamic requirements of your business as well as the future demands placed on your logistics operations. Our services cover both greenfield planning projects and the re-engineering of existing logistics systems to support expansion and optimization. From warehousing, order picking, and internal material handling to inbound and outbound logistics, we design your logistics processes from receiving through shipping—and beyond. Thanks to our comprehensive market knowledge, we develop efficient and economically viable solutions tailored to our customers’ needs. This also enables us to determine the economically optimal level of automation for your logistics processes. We support you throughout the entire project lifecycle, from selecting the right system suppliers and technologies to the successful implementation of your solution.

Developments across almost every area of business have led to an increasing degree of specialization among all stakeholders involved in the planning process. We specialize in the planning of logistics systems and facilities. Our expertise extends beyond technical know-how to include the coordination of interdisciplinary project teams for logistics planning, bringing together specialists from a wide range of disciplines—including the subject matter experts within your organization.

Each specialist contributes a unique perspective and set of requirements to the planning process. Our role is to consolidate these requirements and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop solutions that meet their objectives. To achieve this, we establish evaluation criteria and work with you to define their relative weighting when assessing the design alternatives developed throughout the planning process.

This means carefully balancing factors such as performance, cost-effectiveness, safety, and flexibility in every project to identify the solution that best fits your specific requirements.

Today, logistics has become a critical success factor for maintaining a competitive position in the marketplace. For us, the primary goal of logistics planning is to strengthen your competitiveness. A well-designed logistics operation enables you to reliably meet your delivery commitments while operating efficiently and economically.

We are happy to support you in this effort and take responsibility for the design, optimization, and implementation of your logistics systems. Get in touch with us.

Our planning activities are based on a proven and goal-oriented methodology that has been refined over many years. This approach enables us to develop logistics concepts tailored to your specific requirements. We begin by designing efficient processes and then plan the supporting systems accordingly. We refer to this principle as planning from the inside out.

The process starts with a thorough analysis of your planning requirements. This includes evaluating your existing processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. The results of this analysis form a solid planning foundation that enables us to design future-ready processes.

In the next step, we perform the required sizing and capacity calculations, select the most suitable systems, and develop alternative planning concepts. These alternatives are then evaluated based on their operational effectiveness and economic viability. Finally, we develop a detailed implementation roadmap to support the successful realization of the selected solution.

Our approach to logistics is shaped by dynamic market conditions. We align our planning with fluctuating market requirements and develop solutions that are both adaptable and scalable. Thanks to our process-oriented and holistic perspective, we are able to create innovative solutions that can grow with your business.

For every project, we determine the economically optimal balance between automation and mechanized or manual systems.

Achieving this often requires tailored and sophisticated system designs that help control both investment and operating costs. We validate the performance, functionality, and reliability of our concepts and designs through simulation, providing confidence that the proposed solutions will perform as intended in real-world operations.

We see ourselves as an objective and independent partner in the realization of your logistics projects. This ensures a neutral and unbiased approach to planning and solution design. We work closely with our customers’ internal departments as well as with their equipment suppliers, technology providers, and other project stakeholders.

We provide end-to-end support by drawing on a network of experienced experts and practitioners in areas such as facility design, transportation planning, financing, and operations. Following the principle of “one face to the customer,” a dedicated SDZ project lead serves as your central point of contact, coordinating all activities and supporting the consistent implementation of your strategic and economic objectives.

Through close collaboration with leading universities and research institutions, SDZ maintains access to the latest developments and findings in logistics, simulation, and related fields.

Shouldn’t your warehouse be delivering higher performance?
Are you struggling to accurately identify bottlenecks in your warehouse operations?
Has the complexity of your logistics become difficult to manage?
Are your warehouse processes operating as efficiently as they should?
How should you respond to fluctuating or seasonal demand requirements?
What improvements can be achieved through changes to your warehouse layout and processes?
Do you need to expand your warehouse capacity?
Are you making the most efficient use of your workforce?
Can you accurately determine your staffing requirements?

Many warehouses have been operating for years without significant process improvements or system modernization.

The Warehouse Check provides you with a detailed analysis and assessment of your processes, workflows, and systems.

Together, we determine whether action is required and identify areas with the greatest improvement potential. We provide clear recommendations on where action should be taken and outline practical measures to help you achieve your operational goals.

Inbound Logistics, Outbound Logistics, Order Picking, Production Supply and Line Replenishment, Inventory Management and Materials Planning, Order Fulfillment and Shipping Planning

As part of our one-day workshop, we develop a catalog of recommendations and a concrete action plan tailored to your operation.

We present the results of our analysis on-site, document our findings, and provide you with a comprehensive report for further use and implementation.