Heat pump logistics of the future: Vaillant and FIEGE focus on proximity and efficiency
Vaillant and FIEGE are birds of a feather. Both family businesses recently celebrated their 150th anniversaries. And both names stand for pioneering innovations that keep having a lasting impact on their respective industries to this day. Vaillant and FIEGE have been working together for 30 years – and are breaking new ground in various countries, including Slovakia.
Highlights at a glance
- Turning the development of state-of-the-art heating technology into a core competence: Vaillant is developing into one of the leading manufacturers of heat pump technology in Europe.
- For distribution in Central and Eastern Europe, Vaillant relies on the logistics expertise of FIEGE – a partnership that has been driving efficiency and growth for over 30 years. With a direct connection to the plant in Senica, FIEGE ensures the storage and smooth distribution of up to 300,000 heat pumps per year.
- With the new logistics centre in Vienna, FIEGE is paving the way for greater flexibility and further growth, enabling Vaillant to continue shaping the energy transition in the future.
There are many legends around why a bunny brings eggs at Easter. The true origine behind the folklore cannot be determined with certainty nowadays. What is certain, however, is what may seem surprising at first sight: that the bunny seems to know everything about heating, ventilation and air conditioning using renewable energy. After all, the Vaillant hare – a globally recognised trademark – is seen on resource-friendly heat pumps, gas boilers, ventilation systems, solar panels and hot water tanks in millions of households. Rabbit, rabbit, as they say to get lucky.
Sustainable logistics with a focus on rail transport and efficiency
A quick recap: To increase its competitiveness and focus on its core competence, the development of ultra-modern heating technology, the Remscheid-based family business decided to outsource its logistics in 1994. After an elaborate market survey, the contract was awarded to FIEGE as an ‘innovative medium-sized company’ with ‘excellent market knowledge of the plumbing, heating and air-conditioning sector’.
As early as the 1990s, Vaillant greatly valued the responsible use of resources – which struck a chord with FIEGE. Debuch adds: “The clear expectation was for us to pool material flows, leverage synergy effects and harness railway and combined cargo carriage wherever possible. In doing so, we benefited from the concept of eco-logistics that FIEGE had recently developed.” Today, more than 30 years later, TechnoCargo Logistik is fully owned by the Vaillant Group. However, the partnership between Vaillant and FIEGE continues, and nothing has changed about their approach to sustainability.
Efficient heat pump production: logistics for the energy transition in Europe
Vaillant has launched a particularly forward-looking project in Senica, Slovakia, in 2023. Not far from the Czech border, the heating technology specialist produces electric heat pumps in a 100,000-square-metre factory. The plant expands the production capacities of the company, which also manufactures heat pumps in Germany, France and the UK. FIEGE is responsible for the processes in the adjacent logistics centre where the finished goods are stored. Martin Pétery, Managing Director of FIEGE Slovakia, explains: ‘We have been handling this task for ten years at the Vaillant plant just a few kilometres away in Skalica. We know our customer, and trust has grown steadily on both sides. And thanks to the valuable experience we have gained during this time, we were able to hit the ground running when the new production facility in Senica was commissioned in late summer 2023.’
The state-of-the-art factory through which Vaillant is further advancing its transformation towards becoming a leading manufacturer of eco-friendly heat pump technology, is setting new standards. The giant production plant is BREEAM certified which vouches for sustainable construction and uses electric energy from renewable sources. The heating – as to be expected – is provided by heat pumps. “At full capacity, up to 300,000 heat pumps of various types can be produced here per year. As the logistics service provider, we not only handle warehousing, but also act as a regional distribution centre for Central and Eastern Europe”, Pétery says. FIEGE also takes charge of the transportation to direct customers in Slovakia, Poland, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia. In the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Ukraine, most shipments go to local Vaillant warehouses.
Heat pump technology and sustainable logistics for a better climate
In August 2024, Vaillant celebrated its 150th anniversary – a milestone that FIEGE already reached the year before. And one and a half centuries after the coppersmith Johann Vaillant laid the foundation for the family business in Remscheid, his motto still applies today: “Be innovative, listen to your clients.” This is why Vaillant has deliberately decided to focus on future-forward technologies such as heat pumps, to actively shape the energy transition.
As far as the cooperation with FIEGE is concerned, Vaillant is also looking ahead. The heating technology specialist is planning to also outsource its logistics for finished goods in Austria. FIEGE was able to convince Vaillant of its capabilities thanks to the long-standing and successful cooperation – and not least because of the new logistics centre in Vienna that is currently under construction. Philipp Debuch points out: “Our sustainable building allows us to provide optimised processes to our client and, above all, maximum flexibility for further growth. We are very grateful that Vaillant has also placed its trust in us in Austria.” It seems as if Vaillant and FIEGE have indeed warmed up to each other over the course of the past 30 years.
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