Experiencing supply chains first-hand: a field trip organised by the Business Administration degree programme to B&W Handelsgesellschaft mbH

As part of the ‘Supply Chain Management’ module, eleven third-semester students on the Business Administration (BA) degree programme visited B&W Handelsgesellschaft mbH in Bischofswerda on 13 October 2026, accompanied by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. Eng. Chóngliàng Zhòng. The aim of the field trip was to experience the theory of supply chain management, which they had studied, directly in practice.

B&W is an online specialist retailer of electronic accessories and spare parts operating across Europe. The company imports compatible products and also develops and manufactures its own items under the VHBW and EXTENSILO brands. Founded in 2004 by Ulrich Buder – and originally based in Kamenz – the company now employs 135 staff, dispatches around 12,000 parcels daily and distributes its products via 35 sales channels.

The students at FHD - University of Applied Sciences followed the journey of a product step by step: from purchasing (mainly from China and Turkey) through to goods receipt and the two-part warehouse – the small parts section of which is chaotically organised – right through to order picking using a packing list, the packing table and final dispatch. The warehouse manager explained the logistics system behind it all, whilst the returns manager demonstrated how returned goods are efficiently reintegrated into the supply chain.

It was particularly impressive to see how B&W combines efficiency with sustainability: the company consistently prioritises spare parts over the throwaway culture. At the same time, B&W invests heavily in its team. ‘Feel-Good’ Manager Julia Reiher provided insights into topics such as appreciation, life-stage management and individually tailored workstations, which tangibly contribute to a well-coordinated working environment. Employees are also at the heart of plans for the fully automated warehouse, which is due to come into operation at the end of 2027: B&W plans to safeguard all jobs and support employees’ professional development through job rotation and targeted training.

The field trip impressively demonstrated that an efficient supply chain relies just as much on modern technology as it does on valued and motivated people. It also showed how leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation are intertwined in business practice and form the basis for sustainable solutions. This is precisely where the FHD’s Master’s programme in Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (M.A.) comes in. Students learn right at the heart of where innovation takes place.

A big thank you to the B&W team for their candid insights and warm hospitality. Special thanks go to Julia Reiher, who organised everything on site and guided us through the entire programme.

Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (MA)