Technical wholesalers expand into maintenance services and inventory management

Technical wholesalers in Germany are increasingly positioning themselves as service partners to help businesses meet legal requirements for the maintenance and inspection of work equipment. Under the Occupational Safety Act and the Industrial Safety Ordinance, employers are obligated to ensure that all work equipment is safe for use at all times.

Carsten Uri of the VTH Verband Technischer Handel notes that these wholesalers act as a link between manufacturers and users. Beyond providing spare parts, they offer expertise in analyzing the causes of machine and plant failures to minimize downtime and ensure production can resume quickly.

In addition to service provision, technical wholesalers face the challenge of managing complex inventories. Effective stock management requires balancing the need for immediate availability of thousands of items with the goal of not tying up excessive capital. Software solutions like COSYS are being utilized to integrate warehouse processes—such as goods receipt, relocation, and picking—with business intelligence and forecasting to optimize stock levels and track item turnover.