The cooperation between Falken Tyre Europe and FIEGE started in Dortmund in 2009, where the family-owned company was responsible for the storage and distribution of tyres. Since then not only the business relationship and requirements have grown, but above all the trust between each other.
Never overheated
For more than ten years Falken has relied on the logistical know-how of FIEGE. One of the most recent milestones in the cooperation was clearly the commissioning of the FIEGE logistics centre in Gengenbach. “With this new location, we are strategically situated in an ideal region to serve the entire European market. It forms the basis for our expansion drive”, says Stephan Stenger, Senior Manager Supply Chain at Falken Tyre Europe GmbH. Falken takes up over 30,000 square metres of space dedicated to logistics in Gengenbach.
From car tyres to original equipment truck tyres to the entire European aftermarket: Falken Tyre Europe is one of the big players when it comes to tyres. The subsidiary of the Japanese tyres maker Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. was looking for a logistics partner that could fulfil these dimensions – and found the right fit in FIEGE. In the meantime, clearing the tyres through customs has also become part of the tasks handled. “Mutual understanding and trust have contributed to this highly positive partnership”, Stenger adds.
A matter of age
FIEGE stores and moves up to 1.5 million tyres for Falken on a logistics area of some 90,000 square metres spread across up to seven of its locations in Europe, including Poland and Hungary. “FIEGE convinces us time and again with its know-how of tyres as well as its wide-ranging European line-up”, Stephan Stenger points out. After all, managing the tyres’ age as well as fulfilling customers’ wishes, the distribution network and the cross-border flow of materials are some of the biggest challenges in logistics for tyres.
Add to this regional growth, new distribution strategies as well as the availability of tyres and the product portfolio. “The decisive thing is to remain flexible and to adapt the logistics concepts to changed circumstances. FIEGE implements our wishes to perfection and is not only a flexible, but also a reliable partner”, Stenger emphasises.
When things have to go fast
Thanks to the scalable logistics concept of FIEGE, Falken never loses its grip on things. “Today’s customers can have ambitious requirements. This includes, for example, 24-hour delivery or same-day delivery service. With FIEGE by our side, we will always live up to our customers’ wishes”, Stenger concludes. Hence, business with tyres is good to roll.
