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- TGW and Utz revolutionized PUMA’s logistics
Executive summary
PUMA streamlined its European logistics by partnering with TGW Logistics to create a state-of-the-art distribution center using the FlashPick® system, reducing customer order processing to just 10 minutes. With over 700,000 storage locations and the capacity to handle 74 million items annually, the facility boosts efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. Utz Group supported the project by supplying 80,000 EUROTEC containers and 550,000 plastic trays designed for optimized storage, transport, and seamless integration with TGW's automated system.
The Client
PUMA, one of the world’s leading sportswear brands, distributes sneakers, apparel, and accessories to over 120 countries. With a 2023 revenue of €8.6 billion, the company consistently seeks innovative solutions to enhance its logistics and customer experience. Driven by its "Forever Faster" strategy, PUMA needed a world-class intralogistics system to meet rising customer expectations and streamline its operations in Europe.
The challenge
Prior to partnering with TGW Logistics, PUMA faced the following challenges in its European logistics network:
- Decentralized warehousing: PUMA needed to merge fragmented European logistics operations into a single, efficient hub.
- Inefficient omnichannel distribution: Serving retail, wholesale, and online customers through a unified system presented complexities in speed and accuracy.
- High storage volume requirements: Managing over 700,000 storage locations highlighted the need for a scalable solution.
- Processing speed: PUMA pursued a solution capable of processing up to 74 million items per year while ensuring quick turnaround times for customer orders.
- Sustainability goals:Reducing environmental impact and energy consumption while maintaining operational excellence was a key objective.
The solution
TGW Logistics addressed PUMA’s complex omnichannel distribution challenges by implementing the FlashPick® system—a flexible, high-throughput solution featuring automated shuttle robots for dense storage, a KingDrive® conveyor network for reliable material flow, and optimized picking and packing processes to accelerate order fulfillment and drive efficiency across the distribution center.
For this project, Utz delivered 80,000 EUROTEC containers (700x500x335 mm) and 550,000 plastic trays (700x500 mm). These durable, automation-compatible containers and trays support secure, space-efficient storage and fast material flow. Their precise dimensions and robust design ensure optimal performance within TGW’s automated shuttles and conveyor networks, supporting continuous, reliable operations and seamless handling of high order volumes.
Utz’s precise adaptions of geometries at the welded bottom of EUROTEC containers and Trays ensured a low noise emission on the conveyor network and a high ergonomic at the workspaces.
The logistics center serves as a model for environmental responsibility with its co2-neutral infrastructure, leed gold certification, and solar-powered energy. These features highlight a strong commitment to reducing environmental impact through sustainable building practices. The Utz solution is made of 100% UIC® material and can be 100% recycled after the products reach their end of life.
Results
- 10-minute order processing: The entire end-to-end customer order cycle—including picking, packing, and dispatch—is completed in just ten minutes.
- Capacity for 74 million items annually: TGW's scalable solution ensures inventory keeps pace with PUMA's annual throughput.
- Streamlined logistics hub: Consolidation of European operations into a centralized, advanced distribution center.
- Sustainability gains: The facility reduced environmental impact through energy-efficient KingDrive® conveyors and the reuse of building resources.
- Optimized space utilization: With 700,000 storage locations spanning roughly nine football fields, space management is maximized.
We greatly value our partnership with Utz. Their proactivity, particularly during the sales phase, and their creative solutions played a key role in enabling us to implement a forward-looking logistics solution for PUMA.
Key takeaways
Through the integration of TGW Logistics' FlashPick® system, PUMA has strengthened its foothold as a leader in retail logistics, excelling in both performance and sustainability. Utz Group played a vital role in supporting the project by supplying products, which optimize storage capacity and enhance transport efficiency within the automated logistics system. The partnership continues to demonstrate the potential of innovation in intralogistics, setting PUMA up for long-term success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Looking ahead, TGW, Utz Group, and PUMA remain committed to further enhancing efficiencies, exploring additional automation capabilities, and ensuring operational excellence in every facet of warehousing.
The Utz team provides proactive project management skills that help to reduce risks, avoid delays, and ensure smoother execution. Our innovative solutions focus on a faster time-to-market and higher product quality by anticipating challenges and trends. Our customers benefit with higher resource efficiency and access to the latest technologies, keeping them competitive.
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