Digitalisation and increased efficiency in the automotive industry

Goodbye walking routes! - Witte Automotive takes logistics processes up to top speed at the touch of a button

In modern logistics, every minute counts. But what if outdated processes cost valuable time and are prone to errors? Witte Automotive and status C have risen to this challenge and taken a decisive step towards the future: by automating and digitising their outgoing goods processes, the company was able to noticeably increase efficiency and save over three hours a day. Read here how this digital transformation revolutionised everyday logistics and what benefits the employees enjoy today.

From ‘paperwork’ to digital efficiency: Witte Automotive relies on automation for more throughput and fewer routes.

The outbound logistics process at the Witte Automotive production facility in Wülfrath was characterised by inefficient and manual work steps. Complex, paper-based SAP transactions and manually calculated partial quantities led to lengthy work processes and high error rates. Employees had to travel long distances to check storage locations and make bookings manually - a time-consuming marathon through the warehouse that was now to become a sprint.

With the strategic focus on the internal future programme nextWITTE, in which more efficient processes and optimised production processes are to be developed, it became clear that familiar processes urgently needed to be digitalised. The aim was to find a solution that would save time, increase efficiency and reduce error rates at the same time - all in close collaboration with the internal IT department.

Introduction of modern technologies for fast, error-free processes.

Together with the IT team, status C developed a well thought-out and fully digitised picking process. The new process was based on a thorough value stream analysis, which identified all weak points and defined a future-proof target state. The solution was implemented step by step and put through its paces in a comprehensive test phase.

The centrepiece of the new solution is the integration of modern hardware and software: picking and goods issue processes are now controlled via intuitive tablet applications. Instead of paper lists and manual calculations, all booking steps are carried out directly in SAP via touchscreen and barcode scan - precisely, quickly and without detours.

Time savings, fewer errors and satisfied employees.

With the new, digitalised solution, Witte Automotive was able to achieve impressive time savings of over three hours per day. Manual bookings and cumbersome routes are a thing of the past. Employees who used to carry out time-consuming tasks now benefit from a significantly simplified process.

  • Rainer John

    Incoming/outgoing goods, WITTE Niederberg

    ‘Today, I scan a container, press a button and the label comes out of the printer immediately. There's no more running to the office and back - with 40 to 50 processes a day, that's a huge relief.’

  • Said El-Aissaoui

    Order picking dispatch, WITTE Niederberg

    ‘No more paper lists, no more manual calculator work - everything is available directly on the tablet. It only takes a few clicks to complete work that used to be much more complicated.’

A big step towards a digitalised future at Witte Automotive

This project impressively demonstrates how the targeted digitalisation and automation of processes not only increases internal efficiency, but also improves employee satisfaction. By reducing manual work steps and automating central logistics processes, the error rate is minimised and employees can concentrate on more value-adding tasks.

Witte Automotive has thus set an important milestone towards fully digitalised and future-proof logistics. With the successes achieved, the company is well equipped to tackle the next steps in the nextWITTE strategy and drive digitalisation forward.

Lars Wilke

Consulting Logistics SAP, status C AG

‘Thanks to open, direct and trusting communication at eye level, we have managed to improve and digitise the tried-and-tested together and make it fit for the future.’

Success to go – download:IT

Value stream before vs. after

Value stream before (PDF) Value stream after (PDF)

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