EARLY MILESTONE SEES LOGISTICS OPERATIONS CENTRE BEGIN TO SUPPORT SOLIHULl PRODUCTION

Last week, Solihull’s new Logistics Operations Centre (LOC) on Damson Parkway received its first shipment of body panels from the press shop at Castle Bromwich. The news marks the very first proving process at the new facility, which is expected to open fully in late 2022 and will transform the way we store and supply parts at the plant.

The news marks the very first migration of material into the new facility, which is expected to open fully in late 2022 and will transform the way we store and supply parts at the plant. 

 On Monday, body panels began arriving on site from CB, ready to begin supporting Body in White production. LOC will continue to store more than 100,000 parts, with the panels making the short trip over to the Solihull plant as part of our sequenced ‘Just In Time ‘operation.

 The LOC has provided the opportunity to deliver improved technology into JLR's logistics operations. With improved operational efficiency a key objective for the LOC, the facility will be the first example of SAP EWM software being used to support the Solihull plant and at an off-site warehouse. This will also see the first use of a new range of Android devices as technology continues to help us improve our processes. 

The team will now continue to install and commission automation equipment which will form the basis of the new operation, before moving on to integrating systems, and continuing to transfer materials over to the LOC. 

 

Ben Hudson, Logistics Engineering Strategy Manager, said: “The delivery of body panels into the LOC marks an exciting step forward for the development. Although we’ve still got a fair way to go on the project, it’s great to see the building in use and already we can start to see benefits it will bring for the sustainability and efficiency of our operations.” 

 

Keep your eyes peeled for more Team Talk progress updates from the new Logistics Operations Centre! 

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