Ecommerce fulfillment in Germany – Halle site video tour
For customers looking for a reliable 3PL partner providing ecommerce fulfillment in Germany, Radial offers a unique combination of expertise and innovative logistics solutions tailored to specific needs. In this site tour video, Stephan Friebel presents our location in Halle, one of three in Germany. Key features of this warehouse include its strategic location, value-added services (VAS), close-knit team, fast decision-making and commitment to sustainability. Together, these elements form a comprehensive package that increases customer loyalty and drives sales.
Central location
How does your location in Halle, Germany, benefit Radial’s logistics operations?
Stephan: Germany is in the heart of Europe, and if we look at the map, Halle is right at the heart of Germany. So, we’re centrally located in Europe. Even for the German market, we’re in the middle of the country, at the heart of Germany.
Next day delivery
What sets your delivery process apart from others in the German market?
Stephan: We have late cut-off times to ensure that 85% of all packages for the German market are delivered the next day. That really makes a difference. I’ve been working in this business for 23 years, and I’ve never experienced such late cut-offs with such a high next-day delivery success rate using a standard carrier. That’s what sets us apart in ecommerce fulfillment in Germany.
Semi-automated setup
Can you describe the warehouse setup and how it supports your operations?
Stephan: Our facility spans 55,000 square meters, including a pick mezzanine, which gives us plenty of space to create tailor-made solutions for our clients. We have a flexible semi-automated solution with a 5.5-kilometre conveyor system running from the pick tower to the packing benches, integrated with our very efficient pick-to-light systems.
Lifestyle clients
What industries or product categories are best suited to your facility?
Stephan: Our site is a perfect fit for fashion, health and beauty, cosmetics, and jewellery clients looking for ecommerce fulfillment in Germany. With our semi-automated warehouse, managing 350,000 bin locations, we’re ideally set up for all of them. In fact, 60% of our clients are in the health and beauty sector, which aligns perfectly with the tote and conveyor systems we use.
How do you respond to your client’s needs?
Stephan: Decision-making here is always fast and easy. If a client calls me and says, “Stephan, we need to invest here or there,” we make the decision very quickly. You don’t have to send thousands of emails to get things done. We have the power to decide.
Paul Valentine’s Unboxing Experience
Paul Valentine, a German-based jewelry brand, has achieved remarkable growth by focusing on high-quality, handcrafted pieces and a commitment to customer experience. A strong partnership with Radial Europe ensures fast and reliable fulfillment, with efficient order processing and scalability during peak seasons.
To further strengthen customer relationships, Paul Valentine partnered with tech platform Penny Black and Radial’s Value-Added Services unit to personalize the unboxing experience with inserts to increase customer engagement.
Value Added Services
What customization services do you offer to your clients?
Stephan: We also offer product customization, like personalizing suitcases by adding names or branding, or including flyers, birthday cards, and calendars. We have a wide range of activities like this to customize products for end customers. It’s something our team does every day, and we’re quite experienced at it. During the Christmas season, we work with clients in cosmetics and jewellery to do kitting for Advent calendars. When clients say, “We’d like a new package, can you kit it for us?” it’s a standard process here, and our team does it regularly.
VAS in Halle
Enhance customer loyalty and drive sales
Value-added services (VAS) are an excellent way to strengthen branding, support marketing campaigns, and implement a personalization strategy that delivers a stellar customer experience – from the webstore to the customer’s doorstep.
A collaborative team
How important is teamwork at Radial Halle?
Stephan: All of these elements, combined with the right team make a big difference. We have a fantastic and experienced logistics team that works with real passion. To me, it’s always important to have people on-site who truly love logistics. Let me give you an example. If you want to win the Champions League, you need a strong team. If you had 11 Messis on the field, it wouldn’t work. You need a balanced team with a goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and strikers, a good mix of talented people. It’s never a one-man show; it’s always a team effort. Here at Radial, I believe you can call anyone from our European team at any time for help. That shared experience is what makes the difference. You have to live it; it’s not just something you say.
How do you motivate your team to work together effectively and maintain a well-harmonized environment?
First of all, our structure is quite lean. We have an operations manager, team managers, and team leads. However, the stars of the show are our shop floor employees, who handle the day-to-day operations. Without them, we would be nothing. We prioritize listening to our employees. If someone on the shop floor says an idea is impractical, we take their feedback seriously.
Morning stand up meeting in Radial warehouse, Halle
We have an improvement board where employees suggest changes, even for small things like the height of a desk. This culture of listening and acting on feedback is essential. The best ideas often come from those working on the floor daily. By valuing their input and showing appreciation, we foster a positive environment. This creates a win-win effect; employees feel valued and are more likely to contribute further. We strive to build a culture where everyone feels heard and respected.
Green solutions
How do you approach sustainability?
Stephan: Sustainability is crucial in today’s world. We’re always looking for sustainable solutions for our partners. For example, we use grass cartons that are 100% recyclable and filling plastics that are also 100% recyclable. At Radial, we believe sustainability is important for the future, and we actively recommend these options to our clients. That’s the future, we all need to work together to make a difference.
Sustainability in Radial Halle
We utilize 100% recyclable grass cartons and bubble wrap, minimizing environmental impact while meeting packaging needs efficiently.
We prioritize waste segregation practices to enhance recycling efforts.
We implement LED and motion-detection lighting systems to reduce energy consumption.
Supporting community
You run a training programme for young professionals. Who is it aimed at?
Stephan: Young people are our future, and as the labour market becomes more challenging, developing future leaders within our company is crucial. Our training program aims to cultivate future team leads, managers, and site managers. We take in two to three trainees each year. Currently, we have two trainees in their second year and one in their third. One trainee recently completed the program and is now working as a team lead. I’m very passionate about this program. It’s rewarding to see these young people grow and become integral parts of our team. Welcoming them into the company is always a proud moment for us.
Do you also support the local community?
Stephan: We engage in various community activities. For example, last year, we raised almost €5,000 for charity, which we split between two causes. We helped renovate a local childcare center by purchasing paint for the walls and assisting with the renovation work. However, the most meaningful effort was supporting a children’s hospice. We fulfilled some wishes for terminally ill children, such as making a dream trip possible. It’s tough but important work.
Follow Radial on LinkedIn.
Why choose Radial Halle?
Radial Halle stands out as a top choice for ecommerce fulfillment in Germany and Europe due to its strategic location, innovative logistics solutions, and strong commitment to customer satisfaction. With a well-established training program to cultivate future leaders, Radial Halle prioritizes developing talent from within.
The site also emphasizes a collaborative, team-driven culture where employee feedback is valued and implemented. Additionally, Radial Halle is deeply committed to corporate social responsibility, engaging in meaningful community initiatives such as supporting local childcare centers and children’s hospices.
These factors, combined with its cutting-edge fulfillment capabilities, make Radial Halle a trusted partner for ecommerce businesses looking to enhance customer loyalty and drive sales.
- Vast capacity: A 55,000 m² facility equipped with high-rack storage and state-of-the-art automation.
- Technology-driven efficiency: 5.5-kilometre conveyor, efficient PTL, Manhattan WMS, ensure fast, accurate order fulfillment.
- Late cut-off: 85% of all packages for the German market are delivered the next day.
- Flexible shipping solutions: Partnerships with around 200 carriers, providing clients with extensive delivery options.
- Sustainable practices: eco-friendly packaging, intelligent energy systems, waste management reduce environmental impact.
Talking with Stephan Friebel, Site Manager, Halle
Nestled in the heart of Europe, the facility in Halle, Germany, has a strategic position within Radial’s Europe fulfillment centers. Halle offers an unparalleled advantage for ecommerce seeking efficiency and connectivity. Stephan Friebel delves into the unique attributes of this site, that optimize performance and navigate the dynamic demands of modern supply chains.
