In cooperation with sales partner Fahrzeug-Werke LUEG AG, Mercedes-Benz Van Sales Germany is starting an innovative and completely new operator programme at the parking area connected to the recently inaugurated Amazon Logistics Distribution Centre Bochum. In addition to parking space rentals, it comprises other service modules that provide support for the logistics companies and their drivers operating at the location. A chip on the number plate gives delivery vehicles automated access. Entering vans will soon be checked for potential damages by means of an innovative vehicle scanner. In addition, maintenance and repair services for the van fleets are available in the nearby Commercial Vehicle Centre of LUEG AG. An offer for renting Mercedes-Benz vans to bridge short-term bottlenecks in fleet availability is planned. The operator concept for parking areas is part of a comprehensive Logistics Partner Programme, with which Mercedes-Benz Vans responds to the trend of the changing transportation and logistics industry.
“With the bundled range of services in combination with the parking space rentals, we are breaking new ground in van logistics”, states Stefan Sonntag, Member of the Board of Management and Head of New Vehicle Sales at Mercedes-Benz Van and MPV Sales Germany. “We are delighted that, in cooperation with Amazon and our sales partner LUEG AG, we have the opportunity to implement this extensive operator concept and to support the logistics partners and their drivers.”
Stefan Jansen, Head of Commercial Vehicle Sales and Member of the Management of sales partner LUEG AG: “The innovative concept brings us even closer to our customers and enables us to implement comprehensive digital solutions – that creates advantages for both sides. In light of the increasing importance of alternative powertrains, we will – together with a partner – furthermore develop an innovative concept for securing the charging infrastructure at the location. With this we make e-mobility more and more practical for everyday use in the logistics field.”
Bernd Schwenger, CEO of Amazon Logistics Germany: “Innovation on the last mile is of great importance to Amazon Logistics. Mobility and especially e-mobility play an important role in this regard. Thus we are delighted about such newly developed concepts which benefit the end customer.”
An industry in transition
The growth in online trade and same-day delivery is changing the courier, express and parcel industry (CEP, for short). The CEP market has been exceeding all expectations for years: in Germany, the volume of parcel shipments has increased by 75 percent in the past 15 years. According to forecasts, it is set to double yet again by 2025 to an estimated volume of almost six billion delivered parcels. The main players in the CEP services market are increasingly smaller, more flexible companies working as logistics partners for larger parcel services or mail-order companies. They take care of last-mile deliveries to the end customer. As a result, large logistics and distribution centres not only serve as distribution warehouses but also as the interface between mail-order companies and such smaller delivery services.
Complete range of offers for CEP businesses and their drivers
At the Amazon Logistics site in Bochum Mercedes-Benz Vans and LUEG AG for the first time employ a comprehensive operator concept for a parking area of 6000 m2 in direct vicinity of a distribution centre. The concept offers the locally operating CEP delivery services a holistic solution. The drivers are offered on-site parking spaces for their own private vehicles and future plans call for lounge and food-service areas for their breaks to be added. A host of service offers for the administration of and care for their van fleet is available to logistics companies. This includes options for vehicle cleaning and tyre pressure checks on site. A vehicle scanner will soon inspect delivery vehicles entering the site for potential damages. This so-called Digital Vehicle Scan is a digital measurement collection and imaging system in one. It was initiated by Daimler Business Innovation and is being piloted together with the Mercedes-Benz Paul Service Centre in Passau, Germany. Detected damages can be repaired at the nearby location of the Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Centre of LUEG AG, saving time and money. All standard maintenance work and inspections can also be carried out there. A range of Mercedes-Benz vans from the innovative Daimler mobility concept CAR2SHARE cargo available on site offers flexible and smartphone-based rentals to ensure mobility in the event of a vehicle breakdown or to cover order peaks. The logistics partners can save time and money as a result of avoiding additional empty or private runs, prompt detection of damages and a comprehensive product range related to the vehicle. At the same time, the extensive package of services and the associated improvement of the vehicle condition also ensure compliance with the quality standards of Amazon as the client of the transportation services providers.
One of the first logistics partners that will use the operator concept in Bochum is AZ-LogistiX GmbH from Berlin. CEO Petra Frönicke is enthusiastic about the planned concept: “As a young company in the rapidly growing market of transportation logistics, this innovative concept provides us with outstanding support in ongoing operations and an additional level of safety for potential vehicle damages or order peaks. Our drivers’ workplace environment and thus their job satisfaction are also improved.”
Mercedes-Benz Vans as logistics partner
For Mercedes-Benz Vans, the operator concept is part of a comprehensive partner programme in the logistics field (Logistics Partner Programme), which is currently being developed in cooperation with the sales network. As a service interface between mail-order companies and the carriers hired by them, the automotive manufacturer will in future be offering special leasing and service terms for Mercedes-Benz vans.
