Seamless transport solution for Printed Circuit Boards shipping from Asia to Europe
DACHSER is providing a one-stop solution for printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer CML. Holistic network and integrated systems are the backbone for the supply chain optimization.
Since 2004, DACHSER has been one of the logistics partners of CML, a supplier of state-of-the-art PCBs for the world’s leading automotive brands. The partnership has extended from final miles delivery within Germany to a door-to-door solution including cross-continental transportation by air and rail since 2019.
Printed circuit boards have become more widely used in the automotive industry compared with previous decades. The need for PCBs is increasing as vehicle owners and drivers are looking for more technology in their vehicles, such as GPS systems and viewing screens.
With its PCBs manufactured across various Chinese cities, CML relies on DACHSER to transport the finished PCBs from factories in China to final customers in Germany. Back in 2004, DACHSER European Logistics was responsible for launching final mile deliveries to the automotive brands in Germany.
Transportation from China to Germany
With the rise in demand for PCBs, DACHSER was given increased responsibilities by CML in 2019 due to their long-standing relationship. The company's Air & Sea Logistics Business Unit has since been involved in the weekly transportation of PCBs from China to Germany.
“By using our own air charters and regular Block Space Agreements (BSAs), warehouses and road delivery, CML has better control of their shipments in terms of security and transparency because every step in the logistics process is handled by DACHSER,” said Jesper Larsen, Managing Director Air & Sea Logistics Hong Kong.
The two teams from DACHSER Hong Kong and DACHSER Karlsruhe in Germany have been working together closely to ensure stable capacity is available for the weekly shipments by rail out of mainland China and by air out of Hong Kong. During the pandemic crisis when air freight capacity at the market was unstable, DACHSER supported CML with its own air charter service to ensure space availability and guaranteed uplift time. CML was highly impressed by the supporting service provided locally at both ends.
DACHSER Interlocking
Once the overseas shipment arrives in Germany, it is seamlessly connected to the DACHSER European Logistics network for disassembling, delivery to the warehouse and then to end customers. The transition takes no time for the Karlsruhe team thanks to the company’s holistic network and standardized IT system.
“By using our own air charters and regular Block Space Agreements (BSAs), warehouses and road delivery, CML has better control of their shipments in terms of security and transparency because every step in the logistics process is handled by DACHSER,” said Jesper Larsen, Managing Director Air & Sea logistics Hong Kong.
The integrated and digitalized process also allows CML to benefit from clear visibility, thanks to digital platform tools such as the eLogistics track and trace system which they can use anytime to locate their shipment and its status. “Ultimately, the integrated solution optimized CML’s logistics process, saving time and hassle by having everything available in one place,” concluded Larsen.
CML particularly likes the high level of flexibility offered by DACHSER. With numerous warehouse locations in Germany, one of the warehouses serves as a backup for the CML's own warehouse, which is less than one kilometer away from each other. If the CML warehouse is full, the Karlsruhe team can arrange unloading of rail containers to the DACHSER warehouse at short notice. After that, the logistics provider can transfer the goods to the CML warehouse if they need anything urgently or directly dispatch to end users via the DACHSER European Logistics road network with minimal delay.