Shortly before his departure, he was involved in taking delivery of two new electric Linde E45 forklift trucks from N.C. Nielsen – a forklift brand that has been a permanent part of everyday operations throughout his career with the company.
“For me, it is important to finish by passing on something of value. Internal logistics is all about stable operations, high quality and technical solutions that work every single day. That is also why we have stayed with Linde for so many years,” says Klaus Witved.
At INOX, large volumes of stainless steel, special items and steel profiles are handled every day under strict demands for precision and delivery times. The company acts as a warehousing and distribution partner for customers in both Denmark and abroad, where short lead times have become a crucial competitive parameter. According to Klaus Witved, operational reliability is therefore essential.
“When you work with heavy items and tight deadlines, uptime is absolutely critical. Even minor operational disruptions can affect the entire flow in the warehouse. That is why we have always prioritised quality and stability over quick fixes,” he says.
INOX is part of the international Valbruna Group, which produces stainless steel, nickel alloys and titanium for markets around the world. Stable business relationships play an important role here – including in day-to-day operations. The collaboration with N.C. Nielsen goes back more than 20 years.
The new electric Linde E45 forklift trucks will strengthen internal logistics at INOX while also contributing to lower energy consumption, less noise and reduced CO2 emissions.
“We have had a close and highly effective collaboration for many years. It means a lot that we can get help quickly when needed and that we work with people who understand our operations and our day-to-day reality,” says Klaus Witved.
According to Klaus Witved, internal logistics has taken on significantly greater strategic importance in recent years as demands for delivery capability, flexibility and efficiency have increased.
“The warehouse is the foundation of the entire value chain. If the flow works optimally, the rest of the organisation can deliver efficiently and on time. That is why we have worked purposefully to optimise processes, minimise downtime and ensure high delivery reliability,” he says.
Although Klaus Witved is now handing over responsibility to the next generation, he has no doubt about the direction the company will continue to follow.
“You become loyal to solutions that work. For us, it has been about technical quality, operational reliability and dependability over many years – and that will continue to shape INOX’s future as well,” he says.