Arvato Supply Chain Solutions expands location network in China

Arvato Supply Chain Solutions has further expanded its network in China with two new locations in Shanghai and Guangzhou. The supply chain and e-commerce service provider now has a total of six distribution centers with almost 40,000 square meters of storage space in China.

“Within the past few months we have added two key sites to our footprint in line with our strategic goal to grow our Asian business together with our international customers," says Raoul Kuetemeier, Head of Asia at Arvato Supply Chain Solutions.

In Shanghai, the new warehouse is located in the Yangshan Free Trade Zone (FTZ). Since September, Arvato has been providing 5,000 square meters of warehouse space there for a well-known high-tech company to store, pick and pack and globally distribute products such as AR and VR glasses. The site went live just in time to support a new product launch that started days after the first shipments were received. Around 20 employees handle a volume of 400 pallets inbound and outbound every day. With exception of the labeling, all inbound processes are controlled paperless. Worldwide distribution takes place by air freight via the nearby Pudong Airport. In addition to the geographical and the infrastructural benefits, the Yangshan FTZ, which is supported by the Chinese government, offers particular advantages in customs clearance. Goods can be imported and exported duty-free, which enables faster processes and reduces costs.

Prior to this, Arvato Supply Chain Solutions had expanded its domestic (non- bonded) footprint for a customer from the automotive supplier industry by opening a 2,000 square meters warehouse in Guangzhou, the largest city in the Pearl River Delta. The site compliments the existing sites in Shanghai, Kunshan, Shenzhen and Beijing. In addition to the warehouse logistics services in Guangzhou, Arvato is responsible for national distribution in the B2B business and supplies retailer and repair centers throughout China with automotive spare parts and high-quality engine oils. Up to 100 pallets inbound and outbound are processed daily. "While Guangzhou is not our largest warehouse in China, it is the first to house our new IT system: offering an almost paperless cloud based Warehouse Management System with networked mobile devices," explains Raoul Kuetemeier. Among other things Pick-by-voice systems, text recognition, RF handhelds, ring scanners and portable label printing equipment are used for this. Raoul Kuetemeier: “The automation of processes and sites with more technology and intelligent systems is an essential part of the digitization strategy of Arvato Supply Chain Solutions. The solutions must be scalable, flexible, globally deployable and reliable."