Many companies are asking themselves how they can make production and logistics more sustainable. In the field of transport, the shift to rail is high on the agenda. The timber processing company binderholz took this step many years ago at its plant in Oberrot, Baden-Württemberg. Now it has taken the next step toward an even greener supply chain: a private rail siding, which will further reduce the number of trucks in the supply chain.
When two pull together, a lot can be achieved
Easier said than done for binderholz due to its distance from the next railway track. Alternatives had to be found. And that's just what Martin Fiebig from the Sales and Operations Timber department at DB Cargo Logistics did, finding a solution nearby. He realised early on that the user of the Wilhelmsglück loading yard near Michelbach an der Bilz would be giving up the yard in the summer of 2021 and that the yard would be ideal for binderholz.
At that time, binderholz used a nearby yard for transhipping round and square-sawn timber, but the facility had reached the limits of its capacity and it was no longer possible to expand transport volumes there. But not being able to expand capacity went against the company's plan to move even more goods onto the railway. The idea of "moving" to Wilhelmsglück came at just the right time.
Reactivation with potential
In order to be able to put the Wilhelmsglück loading yard back into full operation, the previous owner first had to implement some structural measures. A track that had been removed was re-laid and, since its "reactivation", has been used as a loading track for transferring goods between rail and road. In November 2022, the first stanchion wagons with square-sawn timber set off for Wismar as a single wagonload transport. Further transports to the seaports of Brake and Bremen are already being planned.
At present, the customer siding is served twice a week with up to six wagons, although the track length in Wilhelmsglück allows transhipment of up to ten freight wagons. The current transport volume of twelve freight wagons per week already saves 24 HGV trips and, consequently, a lot of CO2. DB Cargo Logistics and binderholz are planning to make full use of the 240 metre track. Unprocessed timber can also be delivered through Wilhelmsglück.
Full service from DB Cargo Logistics
According to Fiebig, this successful project was only possible because of the close, long-standing partnership between the players involved: "We have served binderholz for many years now and know the wishes and needs of the company. When we realised what an opportunity the move to Wilhelmsglück offered binderholz, we got straight to work together with the customer. The result is something to be proud of." The successful private siding project further strengthened the connection between DB Cargo Logistics and binderholz, as the company received dedicated support throughout the entire process. The result is a win-win for both partners.
Benefits of a private siding
binderholz not only benefits from the opportunity to expand transport volume by rail. In addition to its own loading track, Wilhelmsglück also offers a larger area surrounding the siding. This provides space for timber products to be delivered for subsequent loading and for an infrastructure with office containers and the company's own fleet of vehicles, including its 16 metric ton forklift truck. Wilhelmsglück is an investment in the future, in rail and in a partnership with great potential.
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