Logistics
Stable productivity and service level
At the end of 2024, Group logistics at Geberit comprised the central logistics centre for installation and flushing systems and piping systems in Pfullendorf (DE) as well as a decentralised network of 13 European distribution sites for ceramic appliances and bathroom furniture.
Productivity and the service level in logistics remained stable overall in the reporting year. While ceramics logistics recorded a strong productivity growth, the logistics centre in Pfullendorf was faced with challenges – particularly in the first half of the year. This was due to increased volumes, but also to the trend towards a smaller-scale business with lower volumes to a larger number of customers. In the second half of the year, the situation in Pfullendorf stabilised, which led to a balanced annual performance as a whole.
Further automation and ergonomic improvements
At the start of the reporting year, a picking robot was put into operation at the logistics centre in Pfullendorf, which then became an integral part of the workflow for putting orders together during the course of the year. It is used for picking smaller product orders and learns constantly as it works.
Land contract for second logistics centre
As the logistics centre in Pfullendorf has been working to capacity for several years, a search was made for a site for a second logistics centre. As a result, a building rights agreement was signed at the end of 2024 for a plot of land in North Rhine-Westphalia (DE). Commissioning of the new second logistics centre is planned for 2029/2030.
Reliable partnerships in transport management
Available freight capacities remained in short supply in 2024. This situation is not expected to improve in the foreseeable future. Among other aspects, this is due to the shortage of truck drivers across Europe and reductions in vehicle fleets. Despite this, the associated challenges were overcome thanks to close partnerships between Geberit and the transport service providers.
In Sweden, Geberit received approval for high-capacity transportation. This involves trucks with a significantly larger loading capacity per trip. These trucks will carry out various trips in Scandinavia from 2025. The measure will relieve the shortage in freight capacities and also lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions per trip.
Geberit’s transport service providers are contractually obliged to actively support Geberit in its efforts to use energy and packaging material efficiently and to reduce emissions. They also have to provide the corresponding data for Geberit’s environmental reporting. In the reporting year, Geberit and the transport service providers invested in a fleet of cleaner electric trucks and the use of larger loading units. Further initiatives led to additional synergies and a reduction in the number of empty kilometres (see also logistics).