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Unlock the full potential of your fulfillment and distribution

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Optimize, connect and digitize your fulfillment and distribution
 

  • Design and implement new distribution centers and navigate your smart warehouse transformation  

     

  • Achieve process optimization and sustainable cost reduction

     

  • Benefit from end-to-end-support and task force management
     

How can you successfully implement digital transformation to prepare your fulfillment and distribution network for the future? How can you reduce costs while increasing efficiency?

4flow supports you in to establish new logistics locations, enhance existing distribution centers and transition them to smart warehouses. From strategic planning and process optimization to digital transformation, we provide tailored solutions to meet your business needs.

How we optimize your fulfillment and distribution centers

Distribution center design and implementation 

Implementing a new logistics site is a complex transformation project. It requires effective and efficient collaboration between all stakeholders. With over 20 years of experience, 4flow supports you through each step of your distribution center transformation: from strategic planning through tendering and equipment procurement to go-live.

4flow also handles the central project management to coordinate between stakeholders such as logistics, construction, IT and human resources. In this role, we ensure all relevant functions are considered in both planning and implementation.

Smart warehouse, automation and robotics 

Autonomous internal transport systems, robotics for material handling, AI-driven demand forecasting and flexible warehouse automation are setting new standards in warehouses. In many organizations, these solutions – especially robotics – are often implemented in isolation. Even businesses with advanced digital capabilities frequently leave untapped potential by not fully integrating smart technologies and information flows across their warehouse operations.

We work closely with your team to assess your current state and identify the best path toward a truly smart warehouse. We help you develop a clear vision and an actionable roadmap, tailored to your needs and priorities.

Our approach covers:

  • Seamless integration of IT systems
  • Implementation of state-of-the-art automation and robotics solutions
  • Utilization of advanced identification technologies
  • Optimization of digital management and data processing using business analytics platforms throughout your process chain

We help you connect, automate and digitize your logistics – from strategy to implementation – so your warehouse is ready for the future.

A smart warehouse with connected processes

Distribution center cost and performance optimization 

4flow delivers efficient solutions to optimize your distribution centers for today and tomorrow. We analyze your current processes and infrastructure, align them with your growth plans and identify the ideal setup for your needs. With targeted adjustments to processes, layouts and material flows, we help you unlock cost savings and boost efficiency. 

Our experts also support you to evaluate investments and implement measures that ensure long-term improvements. Through scenario analysis and sensitivity checks, we make sure your distribution center remains resilient and flexible – even as volumes or product mixes change. 

The result: cost- and space-optimized distribution centers, ready for the future.

Task force management 

Unexpected bottlenecks, inefficient processes and high inventory levels can quickly disrupt your operations and drive up costs. When transparency is limited and processes are poorly coordinated, these challenges become even more difficult to manage. Rigid or poorly integrated IT systems can further complicate matters, making it harder to respond quickly and effectively.

In today’s fast-paced environment, businesses need solutions that deliver results – without interrupting ongoing operations. With structured task force management, 4flow helps you quickly identify and address vulnerabilities in your processes. Our experts analyze the root causes of bottlenecks and inefficiencies, then work side by side with your team to implement targeted improvements for immediate impact.

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The benefits of your future-ready fulfillment and distribution with 4flow

  • Smart warehouse transformation

    Smart warehouse transformation

    Integration of automation, robotics and IT systems for a future-ready warehouse.

  • Resilience and flexibility

    Resilience and flexibility

    Scenario analysis ensures your distribution center adapts to change and remains robust.

  • Cost reduction and efficiency

    Cost reduction and efficiency

    Targeted process improvements deliver measurable cost savings and greater efficiency.

  • End-to-end support

    End-to-end support

    Comprehensive guidance for planning, optimizing and digitizing new or existing distribution centers.

  • Rapid problem solving

    Rapid problem solving

    Task force management quickly identifies and resolves operational bottlenecks.

  • Global team at your side

    Global team at your side

    Leverage 4flow’s over 100 intralogistics and production experts for your project.

What our customers say

"Transparent processes, clearly defined procedures, low inventories in the supply chain and the optimal integration of our suppliers provide us with sustainable and efficient logistics."

Dr. Armin Lohse

Vice President Supply Chain & Logistics, SMA

"What we valued most when collaborating with 4flow were the detailed data insights that ensured the information was accurate. Using such insights, we were able to create realistic targets through each phase of the project."

Erin Templeton

Senior Program Manager, Business Process Excellence, BD Biosciences

“4flow has integrated into our team almost seamlessly, quickly familiarized itself with the topics and has done a great job of accompanying us around the clock on the shop floor. This has enabled us to quickly and sustainably change our processes. A 25% improvement in output and 10% efficiency increase in just four weeks is an excellent result.”

Alexander Bayerlein

Vice President Production International, HelloFresh

“Working with 4flow, Schneider Electric will be able to maximize cost effectiveness and operational efficiency at our new logistics and warehouse site. Our labor efficiency is expected to improve by 30%, thanks to 4flow and the selection of the right automation solutions for us.”

Cyrille Pacaud

Project Manager, Schneider Electric

“The progress we have made in the global hub project has exceeded our expectations. With 4flow’s support, we can significantly improve the availability of spare parts globally while also increasing process quality.”

Karl-Michael Schlick

Head of Global Spare Parts Operations – Digital and Service Solutions, KraussMaffei

"Together with 4flow, we carried out a first pilot with little investment in time or money and after only two weeks, were able to significantly save costs and increase process quality and speed. The investment quickly paid for itself, and now we continue to benefit from the savings and knowledge advantage.”

James Jian

Head of Transportation, Packaging and Warehousing, Continental

"The transfer of know-how from the 4flow consultants to our staff, and the teamwork throughout the entire project were key contributors of the project’s success."

Dr. Marc Sielemann

former COO, Nordex

"The ambitious timeline for the planning, implementation and go-live of our new global logistics center was only possible thanks to close collaboration and 4flow’s structured project management."

Thiemo Ruthenberg

Director Global Logistics, JOST

“4flow laid the optimal foundation for a smooth handoff to our site operator and the corresponding operational startup. We anticipate that the new warehouse concept’s significant, comprehensive improvements to our delivery performance will give us as a major competitive advantage.”

Harald Wegerer

Vice President of Customer Service Division, ENGEL

Proven success with top businesses

How an efficient foundation for future growth in China with a new distribution center was created

Success story in high-tech

Infineon Technologies AG is a global semiconductor leader. To respond to rapid business growth and the global trend towards warehouse automation, Infineon partnered with 4flow to develop a state-of-the-art, highly automated distribution center.

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Project scope:

  • Concept design for a new distribution center in Shanghai, China, including layout, technology, operating model and overall business case

The results:

  • Best-fit technology and layout scenario selected for the new warehouse
  • Layout designed based on different business requirements
  • Best-fitting business operating model recommended
  • Efficient processes established as global reference for future warehouse operations
  • Labor efficiency increased by 40%

4flow and the fashion retailer CCC increased distribution center throughput for new HalfPrice brand

Success story in consumer goods

The fashion retailer CCC S.A. based in Poland, established in the traditional retail business as well as in e-commerce, decided in late 2020 to launch its own off-price brand: HalfPrice. The ambitious business plan called for opening about 60 stores from May to December 2021 in the short term and aims to more than double that number in 2022.

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Project scope:

  • Implementation of the rapid growth strategy of the Polish fashion retailer CCC S.A. to establish a new brand in the off-price retail sector

The results:

  • 2.5-fold increase in throughput in 4 months at existing logistics facility
  • Optimized processes to enable shipments to 3x more stores
  • Space- and process-optimized material flow planning of warehousing, picking, value-added services and shipping processes
  • 15% increase in productivity

4flow task force collaborates with HelloFresh to rapidly increase production output

Success story in consumer goods

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, business was going well for HelloFresh, the world’s leading supplier of meal kits. As the pandemic spread, its growth accelerated. As positive as this looked on paper, it also presented a tremendous challenge for the company’s production and supply chain processes – thus leading HelloFresh to seek support early on. Together with 4flow, HelloFresh quickly restructured processes. In just four weeks, the business increased throughput by 25% and efficiency by 10%. 

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Project scope:

  • Process restructuring and conversion to a 3-shift system without interrupting operations at the company’s distribution center in Verden, Germany 

The results: 

  • 25% increase in production output in just 4 weeks
  • 10% increase in efficiency 
  • Stabilization of all production lines after converting to a 3-shift operation 

Planning the relocation and go-live of a global logistics center for JOST

Success story in automotive

JOST is a leading global manufacturer and carrier of security components and systems for commercial vehicles. With its global sales network and production sites on five continents, JOST relies on a global logistics center (GLC) with the capacity to execute all its distribution processes.

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Project scope:

  • Completion of a network study to identify the optimal location for the logistics center. Planning of processes and warehouse layout. Support in procurement of equipment, relocation and go-live of global logistics center for JOST.

The results:

  • Erfurt, Germany, determined as optimal site for the GLC
  • Layout and process design
  • Planning and execution of relocation
  • Go-live of GLC within budget and on time

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