#GreenJobs – Christof Weiß is making complex supply chains sustainable

The long and complex supply chains in the automotive industry offer a lot of optimization potential in terms of sustainability. As an integrated car body specialist, thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions also faces major challenges. Christof Weiß, Head of Logistics Plant, and his team are working to make the company's production and supply chains a little greener every day.

First, we wanted to know from Christof Weiß how we can imagine the day-to-day work of a Head of Logistics Plant at thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions. Together with his team of schedulers, pickers, forklift drivers, shipping and receiving employees, Christof Weiß ensures the daily supply of production at various locations: "We ensure the timely procurement and provision of raw materials, consumables and supplies for our production lines at Mühlacker, Weinsberg and Heilbronn.” The tasks of Christof Weiß also include on-time delivery to customers in Germany and abroad."Due to permanent changes in the general conditions, for example, Brexit, Corona, semiconductor shortage and the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, we are challenged every day anew," reports Weiß.

The coordination and optimization of supply chains also include the sustainability aspect. Not only for the sake of the environment but also as an increased customer requirement on the market.  We asked Christof Weiß about the sustainability goals of thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions.

Sustainability goals of thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions

"At our plants in Heilbronn, Mühlacker, Weinsberg and Bad Rappenau, our sustainability goals determine our daily actions," shares the logistics expert. Through the consistent digitalization of logistics processes at thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions, Christof Weiß and his colleagues significantly reduced the consumption of paper and other raw materials In addition, the optimization of supply chains is a constant focus of the  experts. "Thanks to an intelligent milk run concept, our trucks are optimally utilized, thus saving resources, costs and CO₂," says Weiß.

Excursus: The Milk Run Concept

Milk run describes a logistics concept in which material is collected from several suppliers within one route. The routes are selected in such a way that they combine as many transport routes as possible so that duplicated routes are avoided. A simple principle, but one that represents a mammoth logistical task when faced with a large order book and complex supply chains. "In addition to saving resources and concepts like milk run, there are other levers that we at thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions want to set in motion to become as sustainable as possible," Weiß emphasizes.

Need for action at thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions

Logistics expert Christof Weiß sees a particular need for action in the development and expansion of the use of renewable energies such as solar, hydro and wind power. "By no means have all the possibilities been exhausted here," Weiß explains. There would still be halls without a photovoltaic system. "We also need to make faster progress in expanding the infrastructure for e-mobility at our production sites." Therefore, sustainability is a goal that cannot be achieved with one method but requires a combination of different levers to be achieved.

We are proud of employees like Christof Weiß, who drive sustainability in the thyssenkrupp Group. We wanted to know what excites the Head of Logistics Plant about his job and what he personally understands by sustainability.

Sustainability as a vocation

"I am convinced that everyone can conserve resources and in this way, make a contribution to the environment," says Weiß. "The sum of everyday habits makes the difference for me as a private person: activities such as separating garbage, saving electricity, leaving the car parked sometimes and repairing things instead of directly buying new ones," continues Christof Weiß. The logistician is particularly concerned about preserving an intact environment for future generations.

What Christof Weiß finds particularly exciting about his job as Head of Logistics Plant is that logistics as such encompasses many fields of activity: "That inspires me anew every day! Whether it's the control of complex flows of goods, our processes that we are digitizing, or the further development of our employees. It's simply fun to get things moving within the company," he tells us.

A word of advice to young professionals

Christof Weiß advises career starters who would like to work in logistics at thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions to rethink long-established processes and have the courage to question them. "It's important to ask yourself the question every day: Where can I still improve something? Our scarce resources must be conserved!"

At thyssenkrupp, we are proud of our passionate employees who drive the issue of sustainability across the entire Group. If you want to read more about sustainability, check out our Sustainability Stories. And if you want to meet more thyssenkrupp employees in #GreenJobs, you'll find portraits and articles in our People & Culture Stories.