Twice the capacity through optimal use of space
Together with the French general managers Dominique Masson and Jacque Olbinski, Albert Berner and Jörn Werner inaugurated the new pallet store of the combined Berner Group at Saint-Julien-du-Sault the day before yesterday. The fully automated store has a total area of 9,100 m². This provides space for 13,600 Euro pallets each with a height of 1.40 m and weighing up to 800 kg. With this investment Berner has made optimal use of synergy effects and doubled the capacity of the platform. The new building is equipped with an automatic "Magmatic"  transport system supplied by the Savoye company. Six autonomous satellites or shuttle vehicles – so-called VMs – store and retrieve the pallets in 21 aisles up to 260 times an hour.

Awarded the HQE Quality Seal for sustainable building
As a family business Berner is not only interested in modern technology but also in sustainability. During the entire construction period the strict environmental standards of the Association Haute Qualité Environnementale (standards for logistics platforms) were adhered to. Thus only building materials were used which do not emit any noxious gases. The most important aim, however, was to ensure that the energy costs of operation are as low as possible. Through the use of thick insulation and solar panels, the total energy consumption of the new building is six times less than that of the existing building. For this, Berner has been awarded the HQE Quality Seal – the first logistics platform in France to receive this award. And another attribute: the whole building is "Multi-User-Fit". This means that, as and when required, it can be used to store the goods of other companies or even completely used for their production and logistics.

Berner signs up to forward-looking planning
“The investment strengthens the combined Berner Group as one of the leading direct sellers of small components to the automotive and construction industries”, underlined Jörn Werner. Berner France is the largest and one of the most profitable individual companies in the Group. Prior to the economic crisis, the company achieved double digit growth and even in crisis year 2008/2009 was able to maintain its net sales. “We are optimistic about the future of Berner France and anticipate that the company will soon return to  good growth rates. The new logistics platform will ensure that we are able to meet the new challenges associated with these”, said Mr. Werner. Company founder Albert Berner was also optimistic: “Berner France has had above-average performance for many years and will remain an example to other companies in the Group – both where management is concerned and in terms of sales.”