BAUHAUS Sønderborg and Linde in green starting line-up

In the spring, N.C, Nielsen supplied a range of machinery to the new warehouse, comprising forklifts, reach trucks, stackers and hand pallet trucks – all of them quiet, efficient and electric-powered – to assist with placing around 120,000 different products on the correct shelves and in the right place. BAUHAUS had also hired 80 new employees to get the warehouse ready for opening in June 2022 and learn how to operate the Linde machines.

"We've been super busy, as it's a massive logistics operation to open a new BAUHAUS store. With a varied Linde machine fleet, we've been able to complete our internal transport tasks in the new warehouse and move products in quickly and precisely. It was a successful process and we were ready to welcome the customers on opening day," says Martin Wraae Hansen, Warehouse Manager at BAUHAUS Sønderborg.

Green building boom

According to BAUHAUS, the area around Sønderborg has seen a positive development, with an increase in building activity and new local business opportunities – and this, coupled with substantial and measurable interest in green construction projects, meant that the time was right for a large hardware store.

"We think long-term and are continuously adjusting our efforts to suit our local customers. Currently, our biggest focus is on energy-saving initiatives, green DIY projects and affordable quality. We have a wide selection of products that can accommodate the customer's specific needs and we would like to make it easy for them to make sustainable choices," points out Martin Wraae Hansen.

The Linde fleet is dimensioned specifically for the driving needs of BAUHAUS Sønderborg. Goods need to be unloaded from the incoming lorries from the suppliers, products must be placed on the top shelves with a reach truck, goods pallets need moving off the floor and empty pallets and packaging must be transported to the warehouse yard – all while the majority of the Linde machines are being driven into the store.

"The Linde machines are comfortable for the operator and have handled our opening phase well. They offer flexible driving options in different situations, and I can highlight the adjustable fork widths, twin pedal system and built-in safety, to name just a few examples. A service agreement ensures that the Linde machines are in working order, so that we're never missing anything in the warehouse," concludes Martin Wraae Hansen.

As part of the trade agreement, N.C. Nielsen has prepared and supplied Linde Machines for BAUHAUS Sønderborg, which, after a short introduction, was able to take the range of machines into use. Linde is the preferred brand for internal logistics in the BAUHAUS Group and, as the Linde's Danish supplier, N.C. Nielsen was able to complete the job quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

"Naturally, we're pleased that we could prepare, supply and service the Linde fleet for BAUHAUS Sønderborg. It's a huge logistics operation to open a new hardware store. So I'm happy that Linde has been able to help get thousands of products onto the shelves during the startup phase and has now become part of the store's internal logistics," says Poul Kyndi, Product Manager at N.C. Nielsen.