Logwin AG of Grevenmacher, Luxembourg, which provides procurement, warehousing, distribution and valued-added services, says that it has been chosen to manage the logistics of LED chip and luminaire maker Optogan of St Petersburg, Russia.
Founded in Helsinki, Finland in 2004 by Russian entrepreneurs and scientists from Ioffe Institute in St Petersburg, Optogan is a vertically integrated manufacturer of LED chips, components, lamps and lighting equipment for applications including general lighting. In addition to having an R&D facility in Helsinki, since founding Optogan GmbH in Germany in 2005 it has established epitaxy and chip R&D plus a pilot line in Dortmund and its Fab1 chip fabrication plant in Landshut. Also, after founding CJSC Optogan in Russia in 2009, in 2010 it acquired an industrial facility in St Petersburg, where it has established LED component and luminaire production lines.
Optogan opened its production site in Landshut in Bavaria at the end of 2011. The firm commissioned Logwin to manage its global supply chain. "Our entire goods handling is now in Logwin's hands," says Optogan's general manager Markus Zeiler. "This challenge can only be met with international presence and powerful networks," he adds.
Logistics for Optogan are centred on the Logwin warehouses in Karlsfeld near Munich, Germany and Taipei, Taiwan. Each location serves as the distribution centre for its region. Up to 7600 pallet storage positions are available in Karlsfeld and in Taipei for the storage of Optogan products on a non-mixed basis. Logwin says that, since LEDs are highly sensitive, high standards regarding equipment, cleanliness, fire protection and security apply in the warehouses and while the goods are being handled. Besides storage and transportation, Logwin will soon be providing incoming goods checking and quality inspections, the assembly of lighting units, and returns processing. "Optogan is particularly interesting for us," explains Marc Styrnal, manager sales & key accounts solutions at Logwin. "First, because it is a company undergoing dynamic growth whose development we can accompany constructively. Second, because Optogan's products fit in well with our striving for sustainability," he adds.
Logwin stores finished and semi-finished goods from Optogan at its location in Karlsfeld, and is responsible for order picking and distribution throughout Europe. The logistics specialist organizes the shipment of smaller quantities using CEP services and distributes other consignments via its own networks.
Logwin's second distribution centre in Taipei is responsible for the distribution of LEDs within Asia. At the same time, it is from here that the firm organizes Optogan's entire air freight operations, together with its location in Munich. Whether global import and export of finished goods or international shipments with semi-finished goods between Germany, Russia and Taiwan, Logwin organizes air freight transportation, arranges insurance and takes care of customs formalities. "Optogan relies on fast and flexible solutions in procurement and distribution, which is why air cargo is the right choice," says Eva-Maria Jackermeier, senior sales manager Air + Ocean at Logwin. "In the further course of the project we will develop additional concepts together with Optogan and thus play an active role in setting up logistics structures."
In addition, Logwin is now also a customer of Optogan, since a section of the warehouse in Karlsfeld is being equipped with LED lighting. "Logwin will benefit from energy savings and the lower maintenance effort involved," says Zeiler. The average lifespan of LEDs is about ten years. Whereas in the past lighting elements suspended from the high warehouse ceilings had to be replaced on a regular basis, this work will in future be reduced to a minimum. "We hope the installation of Optogan LEDs will lead to improvements in the working conditions of our employees, because LEDs provide a more pleasant light, consistent brightness and they do not flicker," says Styrnal.
