In collaboration with the ZHAW, we have developed the practical course ‘Logistics and Supply Chain Management’ as part of the Mobility Science engineering degree. It ran for the first time in the 2024/2025 autumn semester in collaboration with other Swiss companies such as Kühne+Nagel, SBB and Migros Cooperative Association. Besides traditional lectures, the module also offers a practical insight into value creation. The aim is to offer students a bird’s eye view of the entire value chain: from the location of the raw material to the consumption of a product in use.

In the 2024/2025 autumn semester, we welcomed the students to Planzer on two occasions. First we gave them an insight into warehousing, distribution logistics, goods receipt and shipping in a comprehensive tour of our site in Pratteln. The second visit to Altstetten focused on the topics of scheduling, fine distribution and urban logistics. But that’s not all: Björn Lindner, Head of Innovation at the Planzer Group and Michael Stoll, International Managing Director at Planzer Synergistics, delivered several guest lectures over the course of the semester on the topics of fourth-party logistics (4PL), fine distribution scheduling, city logistics, circular economy and disposal logistics.

During the course of their studies, students acquire a lot of theoretical knowledge. But the reality is often different. With our logistics expertise, we help students put everything they have learned into context. We show how the theory basics can be linked to everyday practice, how processes are implemented and how issues are addressed. Students taking the course learn to view logistics as an overarching system, from the raw material to the consumption of the end product. Prof. Maike Scherrer, Head of Research Area Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Mobility at the ZHAW, says: ‘In the practical course, Planzer teaches our students that everyone involved in logistics contributes to smooth processes and thus to customer satisfaction.’

During the two excursions to the world of Planzer, the students were given a first-hand look at how we supply people and companies with goods every day and with passion. They learned about the range of activities involved in logistics and discovered fields that will pose demanding challenges and introduce new tasks in the future. We also want to use our cooperation with the ZHAW to establish contacts with young talent looking for an attractive employer for their further careers and who may one day be interested in joining the Planzer family.

What started as a pilot project looks likely to continue. According to Prof. Scherrer, the students were enthusiastic from the start and the ZHAW considers the course to be very successful.

As a family business in a solid industry, we are thoroughly practice-oriented. But that doesn’t stop us from rolling up our sleeves for the academic topics of the future. In the excursion module ‘Logistics and Supply Chain Management’, we explain how logistics works in everyday life. We show students that logistics is much more than just delivering general cargo and parcels: we provide a real-world overview of goods logistics as a core element of value creation. And finally, the exchange with our specialists gives students a taste of the world beyond the university gates, should they want to get started in the transport and logistics industry.