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Keeping costs under control: Efficient cost management with high variant diversity
Munich Airport has implemented SEW-EURODRIVE's variant management in Terminal 1. This application from the Online Support customer portal helps optimize the number of drive variants used and reduce the size of the spare parts inventory.
Thanks to SEW-EURODRIVE's variant management, Munich Airport was able to lower its operating costs and increase efficiency. This success story demonstrates the importance of a well-thought-out variant strategy for modern companies.
More efficiency due to variant management
Anton Lechner actively uses SEW-EURODRIVE's variant management. 
Anton Lechner actively uses SEW-EURODRIVE's variant management. - Customer: Munich Airport, Terminal 1
- Application: Variant management from the Online Support customer portal
- Industry: Aviation
Further information about our customer:
- Munich Airport "Franz Josef Strauß" was opened in 1992, replacing the former Munich-Riem Airport.
- The airport employs more than 30,000 people, including service providers and suppliers.
- Terminal 1, the oldest part of the airport, is used by airlines such as Condor, Eurowings, Air France, and British Airways.
- With approximately 41.6 million passengers in 2024, the airport is among the ten busiest aviation hubs in Europe.
- The baggage handling systems are designed accordingly.
Fewer drive variants to increase efficiency 
Fewer drive variants to increase efficiency - Reduction of the number of drive variants used in the baggage handling systems
- Minimization of the size of the spare parts inventory
- Reduction of maintenance complexity
- Increase in efficiency
- Cost reduction
- Simplification of inventory management
CCustomer portal Online Support with variant management 
CCustomer portal Online Support with variant management - Implementation of SEW-EURODRIVE's Variant management
- Use of a central database where all relevant information about the drive variants is stored and managed
- Utilization of the Online Support customer portal for more efficient process design
- Use of detailed information and filtering options to quickly and efficiently identify the appropriate drive variants
- Facilitation of planning
- Reduction in the number of required spare parts
Reduction of the spare parts inventory size 
Reduction of the spare parts inventory size - Optimization of drive variants
- Significant reduction of the spare parts inventory size
- Ability to prescribe the variants to be used in new planning
- Further standardization
- Significant increase in efficiency
Standardization and reduction of product variants made easy
Anton Lechner, working in the technical service area in Terminal 1, actively uses variant management and has driven its implementation in the company. The benefits include the reduction of the spare parts inventory size and the ability to specify the variants to be used in new planning.
SEW-EURODRIVE's variant management supports customers in selecting the right products while simultaneously reducing product diversity within the company. Thanks to extensive filtering and comparison functions, the selection of already used products is facilitated, thereby minimizing the number of variants used later in the selection process.
The next step is to reduce the drive variants in the already installed conveyor technology. In the future, Anton Lechner and his team will be able to place orders directly without going through procurement. This solution is also interesting for OEMs who regularly order drives from SEW-EURODRIVE.
Opinions of our customer
Anton Lechner, Munich airport, technical service area"Originally, we used geared motors from another supplier. I was tasked with issuing a framework contract because the airport wanted to find an alternative drive manufacturer. One requirement was that the offered geared motors could be mounted to the conveyors with a mechanically identical interface. SEW-EURODRIVE was found to be a suitable provider. The company from Bruchsal offered an appropriate solution and initially delivered their geared motors to the airport through the machine builder."
Anton Lechner, Munich airport, technical service area"We search for the material number in variant management and thereby find a suitable drive. The overview of the variants is continuously improving. This is an ongoing process that will take some time to bear fruit. I am very confident about that."
Anton Lechner, Munich airport, technical service area"Of course, the service provider must guarantee the availability of the entire conveyor system and therefore carefully plan any changes. However, he welcomes the gained transparency and is on board with this approach."
Opinions of our employee
Andreas Tischler, Field service representative, SEW-EURODRIVE"Even for products from other manufacturers that the customer wants to replace, the customer goes into variant management and checks based on technical characteristics such as installation position, speed, and power to see if a suitable product from SEW-EURODRIVE is already available. Then, through variant management, they send us a request for a quote with the material number."
Andreas Tischler, Field service representative, SEW-EURODRIVE"Due to the positive experiences with variant management, Munich Airport purchases the appropriate drives from us."
Our offer in detail
Variant management
Variant management Variant management With our variant management and its flexible structure, we offer you the possibility to freely choose from various service packages. The standard service scope (for OEMs and plant operators) is the basis and includes many useful options. An extended service scope for corporations or plant operators completes the offer.
Added value for you:
- Standardization of product variants
- Less effort when it comes to creating and managing material master data
- Quick search based on technical features
- Harmonization of material master data across multiple locations (group)
- Reduced storage costs thanks to the minimized number of product variants
Customer portal Online Support
Your answer is just a few clicks away Your answer is just a few clicks away The Online Support assists you digitally with your application: from engineering to procurement to maintenance. Fast, easy, and available around the clock. Discover numerous useful features and tools that make your workday easier.
