07.21.22
Henkel is celebrating the expansion of its largest and most technologically advanced logistics operations in North America at Bowling Green, Kentucky.
The state-of-the-art facility supports Henkel's ‘Laundry & Home Care’ and ‘Beauty Care’ production, storage and distribution. Brands produced at the facility include Schwarzkopf hair care and Dial soaps.
The logistics hub underwent a $70 million upgrade over three years to integrate Industry 4.0 innovations to help optimize storage space, enhance efficiency, and drive digital automation.
Mark Fratamico, vice president of laundry supply chain operations, North America, comments, "Increased automation allows us to provide efficiencies and superior customer service, help our retailers meet consumer demand and increase operational agility so we can continue to respond to a rapidly changing business environment.”
The new digital automation capabilities strengthen Henkel's supply chain resiliency and are a key enabler to proactively respond to dynamic market conditions.
Digitization and cutting edge technology allow more rapid exchange of data, streamline processes and increase supply chain resource efficiency, which optimizes the warehouse structure and workflow. The 1.4 million square foot logistics hub has the capability to store 200,000 pallets (up from 88,000) and enables up to 1,000 trucks per day throughput (up from 200).
Dirk Holbach, corporate senior vice president of Global Supply Chain, says, "We actively invest in products, technologies and innovations that help boost our productivity and efficiency. Through digital transformation we use data to gain additional insights that help improve decision-making across our supply chain.”