The new plant in Berlin is actually the old one. However, in the summer of 2024 it was expanded and reorganised. The result after the first 100-plus days: extremely encouraging.

X-Family, the Micros and the MAGNUM XXL, plus the Service Branch East and even the FAUN Customer Centre: despite a total of 7,000 square metres, things were starting to get quite cramped in Rigistrasse in Berlin. With the greater need for kit assembly in Germany, it quickly became clear that additional space was needed. This was found at the beginning of the year in the immediate vicinity of the site on Malteserstrasse. Conveniently, it was an existing property that was ready for occupancy in the summer after a little renovation work. With more space for trucks, more customer parking spaces, excellent transport links and additional workstations in the workshop. In just two weeks, the service branch, customer centre and the special construction area moved with the Micro HG from ZOELLER. The latter now has plenty of room to grow. And the colleagues from the rear loader assembly line on Malteserstrasse are pleased about the extra space and new capacities. ‘They can now use the full 1,800 m² of the hall for assembly. Before it was 1,200 square metres,’ explains Markus Dautermann, COO ZOELLER GROUP.

More efficiency through focus on material flow
The company invested in an extension of the exhaust system and a new layout with a focus on material flow. This means that there is now more space for assembly, manoeuvring losses are minimised and additional space has been created for material supply, thus reducing distances. ‘All in all, this has led to higher assembly capacity with optimised throughput time,’ says Dautermann. ‘There are now half as many vehicles in the yard, yet output has increased.’

Jürgen Kowalke, Head of Sales and Service in Germany, explains: ‘The reorganisation has shortened delivery times and ensured even better adherence to delivery dates. Delivery quality has also been improved because there is now space to match orders even more meticulously.’ But there is something else that pleases the sales team, in addition to all the efficiency: ‘Vehicle handovers can now take place in a more pleasant setting!’