Intelligent logistics solutions for Southern Europe

1. What kind of company is Dematic?

Dematic is one of the leading worldwide suppliers of integrated and automated logistics solutions. We provide the whole range of products and services for industry logistics and distribution logistics: from individual components for conveying systems and materials flow systems through to complete turnkey logistics solutions, as well as complete logistics service offerings. Whether you need package or pallet conveyors, storage and retrieval machines for high-bay warehouses, sorters or order-picking systems: Dematic can provide you with everything from one single source – including the appropriate logistics IT. This also comprises project planning and realization of entire distribution and logistics centers, as well as integrated warehouse management systems.

2. How did the company start?

In the 1960s we belonged to the then Mannesmann Dematic, namely to their "Automation systems for logistics" division. In 2000 Mannesmann Dematic was bought by Siemens AG and positioned in the market as Siemens Dematic. In 2005 the company separated away from the Siemens Group and the current Dematic GmbH was founded, focusing on the automation of storage and distribution centers.

3. How is Dematic organized in Spain?

Thanks to our long tradition and depth of experience and know-how we are active in all industrial sectors. We can list diverse reference projects and testimonials: for example Cobega-Coca Cola, Leche Pascual, García Carrión, Galletas Gullón etc. in the food & beverage market; Laboratorios Normón, Almirall, Dr. Esteve etc. in the pharmaceutical industry; El Corte Inglés, Mango, Zara, Pull&Bear etc. in the textile industry; Holmen Paper, Papresa, etc. in paper manufacturing; El País, La Vanguardia etc. in the media sector and Biblioteca Nacional, Colegio Notarios de Madrid, etc. in robot archiving. We provide integrated logistics solutions in all these sectors, offering our customers appropriate added-value and numerous operational benefits.

We current employ 250 staff, the majority of whom have several years’ experience in engineering, as well as in automation and IT integration. Our headquarters are in Madrid and we have an agency in Barcelona and a wide network of service providers throughout Spain.

Dematic is organized in five world geographical regions (hubs). Spain is the hub for Southern Europe and Latin America, including Protugal, Greece, Turkey, Mexico and the MERCOSUR countries. The other four hubs are Central Europe (Germany, Austria), Northern Europe (Great Britain, France etc.), Asia Pacific (Australasia, China etc.) and North America (USA and Canada). Our high level of know-how and engineering competence in integrated logistics and automation solutions in the logistics sector means Spain has a high standing within the company. This importance is shown by the fact that I am a member of the Dematic global board of directors. 

4. What are the benefits of working with Dematic?

I believe our customers profit from the following six factors:• Depth of know-how gained from decades of experience, providing them with the best conceptual solutions• Quality products and services using cutting-edge technology• Our high degree of flexibility and close cooperation with them• From R & D through to our main focus on I+D+i in logistics automation• Our highly skilled employees • Pooled knowledge and experience in a global organization 

5. What kinds of solutions do you offer?

We first study the customer’s individual situation, followed by a statistical analysis of his company’s reference projects, materials flow systems, delivery systems, planned future growth etc. We finally define the best conceptual configuration for him that will enable him to achieve the most cost-effective return on his investment. It must be taken into consideration that the costs incurred with logistics solutions are often linked to substantial investment in additional infrastructure (building, fire protection etc.).

Today we are one of the largest provider for worldwide logistics solutions; we are a systems integrator for our customers’ logistics business because we know that nowadays this is a necessary tool for improving a company’s development and growth. One example of this is our automated classification and distribution center "El Corte Inglésin" in Valdemoro, which is currently the best reference project in Europe for an integrated "supply chain" system. This logistics system processes orders coming in from individual stores and deliveries from suppliers on the same day via the logistics platform and controls the automated classification and distribution of orders to the different store departments. In this way a balance is reached between supply and demand, all entirely without holding stock (every day up to 300,000 cartons are processed).

Other examples of integrated logistics solutions are projects such as Mango in Barcelona, Zara Meco in Madrid, Pull&Bear in Ferrol, etc., which are currently being realized in Spain.

Where automated storage systems are concerned, we integrate robotic storage into production and delivery systems which are similarly set up (picking), as well as tracking products to the end customer.

I would finally like to point out that we also offer our own in-house products: storage and retrieval machines, sorters, conveyors and miniloads. Similarly our solutions also include our own IT products, both electro-mechanical and conceptual, making us one of the leading manufacturers in the logistics sector.

6. Where are your products manufactured?

Our production units and R & D department for our storage and retrieval machines is located in Wetter/ Germany together with an additional production unit for conveyors in Offenbach/ Germany. Our production center for sorter is situated in Agrate Brianza/ Italy; there is a further one for conveyors in the Grand Rapids/ USA as well as in Shzhou/ China and in Sydney/ Australia. In Madrid/ Spain we are the global competence center for special storage and retrieval machines.   Around 50% of our staff possess university engineering degrees.

7. What can you say about your quality assurance policy?

Our policy is based on 100% quality, both in terms of our products and our processes, management and design, systems, solutions etc. We are ISO 9001- certified and have certification for all the usual standards in this sector.

8. What are your goals for the future?

We want to consolidate our position as market leader and technological partner for our strategic customers, while at the same time expanding into new logistics markets and exporting to countries with growing or fledgling markets.

9. Can you summarize your company policy in one sentence?  

That is best summed up by our company motto "Creating Logistics Results".