MTU also uses the cloud-based Syncrosupply solution for time slot management and truck arrival control. This has reduced throughput times from an average of 56 to 46 minutes and significantly increased the transparency of inbound traffic. In order to meet changing logistics requirements and integrate new functionalities, the leading engine manufacturer upgraded the Syncrotess transport control system from optimization specialist Inform to the latest product version 10 as part of an internal modernization project.

Important selection criterion: Multi-stage transport chains can be mapped

Since 1993, MTU's intelligent transport control system has served as a single source of truth for internal plant transport and dynamically calculates optimized handling sequences for forklifts, electric trolleys, trailer transports and other means of transport in real time. One of the most important selection criteria was the ability to map multi-level transport chains, such as cross-hall warehouse and yard transports or cross-location transports within the internal supply chain.

MTU realized cost savings of around 30 percent in the transport sector and an ROI of less than one year in the first few years after the initial introduction.

Improved traceability across all process steps

However, the scope and complexity of planning has increased since then: 560,000 transport orders alone are processed via the system every year. Instead of 60, over 400 items are now planned, production logistics has been expanded and other small-scale processes have been added. "Our aim was to achieve the same level of transparency in these newly connected processes that we have established with Syncrotess in production supply," says Florian Wohlgemuth, Project Manager Logistics Planning at MTU in Munich. "With our modernization measures, we are enabling mobile scanning processes for the small parts processes and better traceability across all process steps. Inquiries about where a particular transport is or where material is currently located are now close to zero," he adds.

Planning has become finer overall, for example by limiting certain resources to specific areas. Whereas in the past it was more about shortening distances, today the focus is on maintaining delivery reliability, especially in the direction of shipping.

Significant increase in internal delivery reliability

Thanks to the innovations, internal delivery reliability was increased from 89% in 2020 to 93% in 2022 - despite greater complexity and increasing volumes. MTU also opted for Syncrosupply in order to distribute the workload at incoming goods more evenly throughout the day, reduce waiting and throughput times and create end-to-end transparency. "Volumes will increase in the future and waiting times will become longer," predicts Wohlgemuth. "We are already preventing this now. We have transparency about who is in the plant, when and for how long, handle transports more efficiently and have been able to significantly improve our throughput times: from an average of 56 to 46 minutes." The logistics manager says that the aim is to maintain and further improve these processing times despite growth.

Improved planning at the ramp

The intelligent system is used both for booking and planning time slots for incoming trucks and for optimizing the assignment of trucks to the correct ramp. Each goods receipt is now stored in the system with a journey. Freight forwarders and their subcontractors who regularly call at MTU log in via a web-based portal to announce their journey, transmit freight data and book a suitable time slot. This is particularly attractive for contract suppliers who deliver general cargo and want to avoid waiting times because they are serving other customers on the same day. Anyone who arrives spontaneously at the gate is allocated a time slot on site. This cannot be avoided in every case, as many transporters only visit MTU once or very rarely. Overall, however, Wohlgemuth plans to increase the proportion of pre-booked time slots to 50 to 60 percent. Automated time slot allocation is also planned.