Planzer Synergistics and Völkl work together – Pretty Awesome

From Melanie Eberhard · Tuesday, May 07. 2024

Snow, high-tech, made in Germany – what comes to mind when you hear this combination of words? Völkl, of course. What most skiing enthusiasts don’t know, however, is that we handle every Völkl ski and every Dalbello ski boot before they are worn for the first time.

Totally world class

There’s no magic wand when it comes to skiing: you simply need the right kit. What may apply to recreational sports is very different at the elite level. So it’s no surprise that only a handful of brands have managed to dominate the ski scene at a world class level. One of them is Völkl – and there’s more than one reason for this. Since 1923, Völkl has stood for unlimited passion for skiing and making high performance products. Based in Straubing, Bavaria, it is one of the most modern production facilities in the world, where high-tech innovation meets traditional craftsmanship to create the highest quality and most technologically advanced skis in the world. Precision, versatility and performance are at the heart of the brand promise.

Lofty logistical ambitions

Of course, Völkl also has such high standards when it comes to logistics. So after over 30 years, it made a groundbreaking decision when Zurich-based Zollagentur Schambeck, which had looked after Völkl for many years, ceased operations. After careful consideration, the Völkl Management Team transferred overall logistical responsibility for Switzerland to Planzer Synergistics. Of course, we were delighted to accept. After all, we’re also committed to precision, versatility and performance.

Speedy, smart supply chain

After receiving the contract from Baar, we completely restructured Völkl’s operational distribution in Switzerland and implemented our solution together with Planzer Schaffhausen, Planzer Como and the Planzer subsidiary Pesa AG. By joining forces, we have since handled the entire customs clearance for the Völkl and Dalbello factories, as well as their warehousing and distribution in Switzerland. As part of our new concept, we significantly streamlined the existing logistics processes, increased the level of digitalisation in the supply chain and improved the economic advantages of Völkl’s logistics – because Völkl pays no more for this than it did for the previous solution, despite general cost increases. Of course, the processes for the coming season will be readjusted and made even more sustainable, together with the Planzer Synergistics team.

Efficient from the factory to the slopes

Völkl brand products undergo a demanding process before sports businesses display them in their stores and ski enthusiasts can enjoy them on Swiss slopes (see photo):

4PL process

Völkl skis are made by Völkl Sports GmbH in Straubing, Bavaria, and Dalbello ski boots in Casella d’Asolo in Italy.
Synergistics receives the production orders from Völkl (Schweiz) AG. We import these into our ERP system and digitally transfer them to our logistics partner, Planzer Schaffhausen.
We receive the sales orders from Völkl (Schweiz) AG. We also record these in our ERP system and forward them to Planzer Schaffhausen in data form.
Planzer’s in-house forwarding company, Pesa AG, handles the customs clearance for Völkl skis from Germany.
Planzer Como does the same for Dalbello ski boots from Italy and transports them from the plant in Casella d’Asolo to Schaffhausen.
When the skis and ski boots arrive, Planzer Schaffhausen deals with the incoming goods, picks the cross-docking shipments, stores the remaining items, collates the required sets, labels them and prepares them for shipping.
Depending on their size, the shipments are then collected by the parcel delivery service DHL Express or Planzer Schaffhausen’s general cargo transport service and are delivered to Völkl customers in Switzerland.

Jointly committed to people and the environment

Sustainability and resource conservation are just as important at Völkl as efficiency, because winter sports are particularly affected by the rising pressures on nature and the environment. Völkl is therefore all the more reliant on preserving the ‘white gold’ in the mountains. Völkl’s sustainability efforts span every product life cycle, from raw material extraction, through production, to use and disposal. In this respect too, we’re on the same page as our client. Because the efficiency improvements we’ve created for Völkl, thanks to increased digitalisation, leaner processes and sustainability-focused warehouse and transport logistics, also benefit our planet.

Common values from the start

Völkl and Planzer Synergistics are two partners with a lot in common: a long history shaped by pioneering solutions and entrepreneurial vision, a passion for precision and outstanding performance, a keen focus on a healthy environment, the tireless search for new innovations and a clear commitment to local jobs. And ultimately, we’re united by our belief in a future that will be jointly shaped by curious people and new technologies.