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    Semiconductors: Precision Logistics for a High-Tech World!

    Semiconductors play a vital role in modern technology, powering devices like smartphones, medical equipment, automobiles, and AI systems.

    Whether for your mobile device, lifesaving medical technology, automobiles, or AI applications, our modern-day lives rely on a steady flow of semiconductors all around the globe. And the demand for semiconductors continues to grow at a significant pace. Yet, the industry is characterized by a unique cyclical nature and rapid market changes, making smooth logistics operations simultaneously more challenging and more important.

    DB SCHENKER is well-positioned to meet the growing and intricate logistics demand for this substantial industry branch. When handling semiconductors, the most important factors are time accuracy, high-sensitive damage prevention, and capacity availability

    Aaron Scott

    "The stakes are very high in the semiconductor industry where on-time delivery, damage prevention and capacity availability are not just benchmarks of excellence, they are imperatives."

    Aaron Scott / CEO UK & Ireland

    The sector’s unusual volatility, marked by a strong cyclical nature and the constant possibility of rapid market changes, requires smart supply chain management. Flexibility and innovative solutions are key to a stable global semiconductor supply chain. DB SCHENKER puts a strategic focus on both front-end and back-end processes in semiconductor logistics. Key activities include the management of supply and demand for semi-capital equipment and fab supplement services such as raw materials, semi-finished goods, and spare parts – ensuring that semiconductor manufacturers, where chips for various device applications are being designed, are provided with a constant supply of the resources they need.

    To manage the volatility of raw material or semi-capital equipment supply, DB SCHENKER has competence centers strategically located in the United States, Europe, and Asia, aligning with the world’s major semiconductor fabrication and equipment manufacturing hubs, and all supported by dedicated, highly trained staff. We keep the flow of semiconductors moving by integrating multiple suppliers ensuring a streamlined and efficient procurement process. This set-up can provide advanced logistics solutions close to production sites to minimize downtime and deliver oversight to ensure logistics operations are synchronized. This reduces delays and enhances efficiency.

    In addition, the high value and fragility of semiconductors require specialized transportation services ensuring both a timely and safe delivery of each product. DB SCHENKER is known for its highly reliable logistics services – delivering fragile precious items safe and sound. Smartly managed, handled by air or via temperature-controlled shipping, we keep the flow of semiconductors moving. 

    By launching a new warehouse in the Netherlands, DB SCHENKER is expanding its footprint as a leading logistics service provider for the semiconductor industry. The site, covering a total of 18,000-square-meters and DB SCHENKER will operate 12,000-square-meters of this warehouse. It has already entered its construction phase and is scheduled to open in Fall 2025.

    In total, DB SCHENKER operates 18 logistics sites for the semiconductor industry in Europe. 

      • Taiwan is the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer with South Korea, China, and the USA all having significant production operations.
         
      • In the EU, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Ireland have semiconductor manufacturing capacity.
         
      • Back in June 2023, the EU Commission approved an IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) which would provide EUR 8 billion in state aid which would trigger EUR 13.7 billion of additional private investment into the European semiconductor supply chain industry.
         
      • The semiconductor industry experiences cycles of rapid growth and downturns due to technological advancements and fluctuating consumer demand. High demand leads to overproduction and inventory buildup, which is very expensive for semiconductor manufacturers and causes reduced profits and production cutbacks until the next innovation wave. 

    Find out more in our Media Center.

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