General planner

As a general planner, we act as the central partner, taking on overall responsibility for the planning and implementation of complex logistics and industrial projects, from the initial concept through to turnkey handover. Discover how ebp-consulting, as a general planner, optimises your logistics value chains and minimises investment risks through the seamless integration of process design, technology and IT.

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Strategic architecture for logistics and factory planning

The success of complex logistics projects stands or falls on integrated planning that seamlessly combines architecture, engineering and IT. As a general planner, ebp-consulting assumes overall responsibility for your projects – from the initial site analysis right through to the successful go-live of your automated systems. We reduce complexity, minimise interface risks and guarantee investment security through sound engineering expertise. Put your trust in a partner who speaks your language and translates your vision into measurable operational excellence. Optimise your supply chain now with ebp-consulting.

A general planner acts as a central coordination hub, bringing together all planning disciplines – from factory and logistics planning right through to IT integration – under one roof. This approach ensures the holistic optimisation of the value chain and prevents efficiency losses at the interfaces between the various trades. In logistics, general planners therefore keep an eye on all areas of the supply chain and optimise processes holistically.

As logistics consultants, ebp-consulting combines methodological excellence with a deep understanding of operational implementation directly on the shop floor. We see ourselves as pragmatic architects who not only deliver theoretical concepts, but also ensure physical feasibility and IT integration right from the start. Our focus is particularly on the transformation of existing facilities (brownfield optimisation) to maximise efficiency even within established structures. As we are independent of hardware manufacturers, we guarantee a neutral selection of technology that is purely tailored to your requirements. This holistic approach offers C-level decision-makers the necessary confidence to make major strategic investments.

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A general planner is a service provider who assumes full responsibility towards the client for the planning and implementation of a construction or optimisation project. In a logistics context, this encompasses not only the building envelope, but primarily the design of internal material flows, the selection of automation technology, and the integration with IT systems such as SAP EWM. By bringing all specialist planners together under a single contractual arrangement, the coordination workload for the company is significantly reduced. The aim is a turnkey, process-optimised solution that is implemented on time and within budget.

Advantages of a General Planner at a Glance

• Overall responsibility from a single source: In the context of logistics and factory planning, a general planner assumes full project responsibility, from the initial analysis through to the design phase and final commissioning.
• Pooling of interdisciplinary expertise: They bring together strategic supply chain management, technical material flow engineering, IT integration and, optionally, the physical industrial architecture under one roof.
• Minimisation of interface risks: For the client, this central control hub drastically reduces friction losses and coordination errors between logistics planners, construction contractors and software implementers.
• Maximum planning reliability: This holistic approach serves as a strategic tool for risk minimisation, which is particularly effective in complex greenfield developments or challenging brownfield automation projects within existing facilities.
• Process-driven integration: In summary, the model ensures seamless coordination of ‘concrete, steel and code’ by planning the building functionally from the inside out – that is, in a strictly process-driven manner.
    
    

Integrated factory and logistics planning

General planning inextricably links the structural design with logistical requirements and material flow processes. In day-to-day practice, this means, for example, that column grids and hall heights are precisely tailored to the requirements of a modern shuttle system or high-bay warehouse in order to avoid costly redesigns. By using digital twins, we validate layouts and capacities virtually before the ground-breaking ceremony takes place. This prevents classic planning errors such as bottlenecks in staging areas or inefficient transport routes. The result is an infrastructure that not only meets today’s needs but also allows for future expansions in a flexible manner.

IT Integration and SAP Expertise

A modern general planner must harmonise the physical world of logistics with the digital world of ERP and WMS systems. ebp-consulting ensures that automated systems can communicate seamlessly with systems such as SAP S/4HANA or EWM. This involves defining interfaces at an early stage and ensuring data integrity throughout the entire process chain. In projects, this focus drastically reduces the risk of system failures at go-live, which is a crucial factor for IT managers in minimising risk. The software thus accurately reflects physical realities without requiring costly customisation.

In practice, companies often turn to general planners – particularly for complex brownfield automation projects – to integrate modern technology such as AutoStore or AMR fleets into existing buildings. Another area of application is strategic network relocations, where the general planner coordinates the relocation and restart of entire assembly lines. When constructing new multi-user fulfilment centres for the retail sector, the integration of all disciplines is also essential to meet the high demands on throughput and flexibility. In this context, the general planner acts as a ‘single point of contact’, managing the risks across construction, intralogistics and IT on behalf of the client.