Non food distribution: Warehouse automation for multi channel retailing
Stores are placing increasingly tough demands on the DC: short order lead times, more frequent deliveries of (smaller) orders, high delivery reliability, store friendly, shelf ready delivery of products. At the same time you must reduce costs and must handle multiple retail formats, making operations increasingly complex. Finding and retaining qualified staff is getting more difficult.
These challenges provide opportunities to automate warehouse logistics by implementing intelligent material handling systems, based on a thorough understanding of the retail supply chain and DC processes. In fact, automation is no longer a luxury, but has become a bare necessity.
We have broad experience in developing solutions which enable you to improve your competitive edge. We have designed and implemented automated warehouses for well known companies such as 3M, Argos, Herma, Staples, Tchibo and WMF.
3M has selected Vanderlande to supply and install the order picking and sortation system for a major expansion of its European Distribution Center in Jüchen, Germany.
Argos is the largest non-food retailer in the UK. Argos operates a fully automated warehouse, including pallet high bay storage, AS/RS storage, order fulfilment including 56 workstations handling 20,000 order lines per hour, and a Warehouse Management System (WMS). The system has lowered operational costs, raised efficiency, productivity and picking accuracy.
Herma is Europe's leading specialist in self-adhesive technology (adhesive material, labelling systems and stationery). They operate a logistics centre in Filderstadt, Germany, to service customers all around the world. The goods-to-man order fulfilment system has reduced operational costs and improved customer service.
Staples Advantage, the world’s largest office supply company, chose an integrated order fulfilment system consisting of batch picking for items, with order carts supported by Pick-by-Voice technology, and Pick-to-Belt lines for full cartons. The new facility processes up to 60,000 order lines per day. Orders entered by 18:00 hours are delivered the next day. Accuracy exceeds 99.95%.
Sorbo delivers non-food products to large Dutch retailers. They invested in an automated storage and order consolidation system. The system consists of 2 QUICKSTORE HDS shuttle systems in combination with an automated mixed case palletizing system for cartons and totes. The system palletizes with a capacity of 2,200 cases per hour on dollies, roll cages as well as pallets.
