dematic logistics review - issue 3

DEMATIC LOGISTICS REVIEW

Issue 3

L GISTICSREVIEW

HK SYSTEMS PROFILE We welcome HK Systems to Dematic

NEw dc dIREcTOR Take control of warehousing with WCS

PROducT REvIEw News, technology and software update

Creating Logistics Results

TEcHNOLOGY FEATuRE:

10 STRATEGIES FOR DISTRIBUTION SUCCESS

TEcHNOLOGY FEATuRE:

10 STRATEGIES FOR DISTRIBUTION SUCCESSBINA: SwitzerlandMultishuttle® & Miniload drive logistics

TEScO LOTuS: ThailandIntegrated order fulfilment for convenience stores

TEScO LOTuS: ThailandIntegrated order fulfilment for convenience stores

BINA: SwitzerlandMultishuttle® & Miniload drive logistics


base, making Dematic the leading systems and conveyor solution provider in North America.

In particular, HK Systems adds great strength in Automated Material Handling and Logistics Software Solutions, and comes complete with new ASRS, AGVs and automated handling tech-nology in a wide range of manufacturing, food and beverage, archive and library applications, considerably expanding our range and reach.

A review of some innovative HK Systems projects can be found on pages 20-21.

Dematic continues to go from strength to strength and I am confident that as we continue to grow and develop our business, we will im-press you with our quality product range, inno-vative product and software concepts and solu-tions design capability.

Roar Isaksen, President & CEO, Dematic

Welcome to Issue 3 of Dematic Logistics Review – Your Window to World’s Best Practice Logistics.

As I announced in the previous issue of Dematic Logistics Review, Dematic has acquired the North American business of HK Systems. I am excited to report that Dematic has successfully commenced the integration of our two compa-nies that will now be united under the Dematic brand.

The synergies from the combined companies enhances our product offering, technical ca-pabilities and physical infrastructure through global engineering centres. While Dematic is a global leader in the marketplace, HK Systems’ strong presence in North America fits within our regional strategy. The new capabilities extends our manufacturing, distribution and warehous-ing capacity, and expands our geographic reach with more sales offices and industry-specific sales engineering.

This complementary business partnership pro-vides Dematic with new products, new sector expertise and a significantly expanded talent

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WElcomE to thE latEst fRom thE WoRld of logIstIcs

Roar Isaksen, President & CEO, Dematic


About Dematic

Dematic is one of the world’s leading suppliers of logistics automation sys-tems and solutions. As a systems integrator, Dematic delivers a full range of technologies and services, from individual products and systems to complete turnkey solutions as a general contractor, as well as complete after-sales support and service. Dematic provides automated material handling products, systems and solutions for retail and wholesale distri-bution, consumer direct, grocery, food and beverage, and manufacturing industries. Dematic’s products and services are based on a tradition of industry expertise that the company has acquired over decades of com-mitment worldwide. Globally the company employs around 4,000 people.

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contentsCover Story: BINA, SwitzerlandCase Study: Woolworths, Australia10 Strategies for Distribution Logistics SuccessCase Study: Tesco Lotus, ThailandCase Study: Southern Wine & Spirits, USACase Study: Chain Reaction Cycles, UKHK Systems ProfileNews, Product, Technology & Software

WElcomE to thE latEst fRom thE WoRld of logIstIcs

dEmatIc In actIon at PRomat & cEmat

4-6 7-9

10-1314-1516-1718-1920-2122-23

ProMat March 21-24,2011 Chicago, USA

Dematic North America recently completed a very successful ProMat, proudly hosting cus-tomers and prospects in two premier booths filled with robust technology, equipment demon- strations and thought leadership presentations.

Two new solutions were launched at ProMat:

• RapidPick – a new high capacity goods-to-person (GTP) order fulfillment system that sup-ports pick rates of up to 1,000 per hour

• Laser Trucks+ – an innovative combination of Dematic’s leading picking and voice software with Automated Guided Vehicle technology on a rider pallet truck, designed to improve mixed case order fulfilment productivity.

In addition, Dematic sponsored and/or partici-pated in four ProMat presentations, showcasing our significant talent and depth of industry ex-perience and knowledge.

CeMAT May 2-6,2011 Hannover, Germany

Dematic featured numerous world firsts at Ce-Mat including a comprehensive, future-proof range of solutions with sustainability being a central theme. A host of impressive innovations were integrated into a complete in-plant material flow system, underlining our position as one of the world’s leading logistics automation provid-ers and demonstrating how modern logistics can be delivered in a cost-effective and environmen-tally-friendly way. Highlights included:

• Dematic Multishuttle MS Flex – a new shuttle capable of handling different size containers

• Dematic RapidStoreML – a new Miniload ASRS with advanced load handling devices

• Modular Dematic MCS conveyors that enable flexible system reconfiguration

• Dematic Ecodrive – new software designed to improve energy efficiency by 10-15%.

DEMATIC LOGISTICS REVIEW4

COVER STORY BiSChOfSzEll NahRuNgSmiTTEl agBischofszell, switzerland

Stock is stored in Miniload ASRS and Multishuttle® storage buffers, which sequence goods in the correct order, optimising order picking productivity and accuracy.

Design objectives

• Extension of capacities in high bay warehouse

• Construction of ASRS and set up order picking system for convenience food

• Refrigerated storage of 120,000 containers with 450 different fresh articles

• Order picking of up to 120,000 units per day

• Split case order assembly: grouping articles and optimising container packing

• High-performance order picking up to individual item level

• Consistently sequenced, automated processes

• Automation for higher flexibility and efficiency.

Benefits and outcomes for BINA

• One stop shop from the plant design via IT and controls to mechanical engineering within short implementation timeframe

• Refrigerated order picking buffer for fresh articles

• Consistent monitoring via networked plant displays

• Optimised load distribution and utilisation of resources

• Higher throughput and extensively automated processes with Multishuttle buffering and sequencing warehouse

• Increased split case distribution efficiencies

• High flexibility and reliable pick rates with negligible errors

• Sell-out oriented and sell-out optimised order containers

• Package and branch-optimised positioning on load carriers.

DEMATIC LOGISTICS REVIEW 5

Dematic has implemented one of the most innovative split case order picking solutions in Europe for the ‘Convenience Gate’ distribution centre operated by Bischofszell Nahrungsmittel AG (BINA) at Bischofszell, Switzerland. The system provides reliable high-performance order picking down to the individual item level, and sequenced, automated processes maximising the efficiency of order assembly and distribution right through to point-of-sale.

gtP sPlIt casE oRdER PIckIng & assEmbly foR bIna

Leading Swiss food manufacturer BINA produc-es around 1,000 tonnes of frozen, chilled and packaged convenience foods every day, with products including fresh salads, sauces, ready-made meals, potato products and drinks.

BINA’s Convenience Gate DC at Bischofszell is the food distributor’s central logistics hub, pro-viding a range of services to support its diverse customer base including retailers, caterers, can-teens and industrial companies, with over 750 food outlets alone supplied with fresh products from the facility.

Expanding distribution capabilities

Following an expansion of its product range and significant demand growth in the convenience food sector, BINA decided to upgrade the ca-pacity of its existing high bay warehouse and add a new, automated small goods warehouse (ASW) equipped with an integrated Goods to Person (GTP) split case order picking system.

Dematic’s solution for BINA

Dematic has helped transform BINA’s Conven-ience Gate into a highly efficient DC with dy-namic, consistently sequenced order picking processes. The result is one of the most innova-tive split case picking and order assembly solu-tions in Europe.

ElimiNaTiNg TRaVEl: SPliT CaSEGoods-to-Person order PicKinG

BINA’s Logistics Manager Hugo Thaler

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Special features are the high dynamics in picking our fresh

products and branch-matching order

assembly right down to individual items.

This guarantees fast processing and opens up new options for our customer orientation.

Hugo Thaler, Logistics Manager, BINA

Benefits and outcomes for BINA

• One stop shop from the plant design via IT and controls to mechanical engineering within short implementation timeframe

• Refrigerated order picking buffer for fresh articles

• Consistent monitoring via networked plant displays

• Optimised load distribution and utilisation of resources

• Higher throughput and extensively automated processes with Multishuttle buffering and sequencing warehouse

• Increased split case distribution efficiencies

• High flexibility and reliable pick rates with negligible errors

• Sell-out oriented and sell-out optimised order containers

• Package and branch-optimised positioning on load carriers.


The new refrigerated, automated small goods warehouse (ASW) provides storage capacity for 104,400 containers. Serviced by three AKL Miniload Cranes, it acts as a production buffer warehouse for incoming goods from production and external suppliers.

COVER STORY BiSChOfSzEll NahRuNgSmiTTEl agBischofszell, switzerland

ElimiNaTiNg TRaVEl: SPliT CaSEGoods-to-Person order PicKinG

The three aisle refrigerated ASW, driven by De-matic AKL Miniload Cranes, acts as a produc-tion buffer warehouse for incoming goods from production and external suppliers.

The second part of Dematic’s solution was the construction of a six-aisle Multishuttle® storage engine, which provides buffer storage and or-der sequencing for order fulfilment and goods outwards.

Split case order picking and assembly

Stock for orders is automatically delivered at rates of up to 2,200 containers per hour by the Dematic Multishuttle system at precisely the right moment and in the correct sequence to optimise picking and packing for point-of-sale, to six Dematic ergonomic picking stations.

The innovative configuration of the picking sta-tions are tailored to match operators’ individual requirements, including height adjustable oper-ator platforms and work tables. Height and rake adjustable display screens provide simple step-by-step management of the picking process.

The high-resolution screen displays simple, eas-ily understood symbols for order volumes, pho-tos of the products to be picked, and a 3D de-scription of where to place picked items in the shipping container, facilitating fast, accurate and safe order picking. Check weighing is also integrated to further improve accuracy.

The result: “High flexibility and reliable pick rates with a negligible error rate,” said BINA’s Logis-tics Manager Hugo Thaler.

“The special features of the solution are prima-rily the high dynamics in the order picking of our fresh products and branch-matching order as-sembly right down to the level of individual items. This guarantees fast processing of high volumes and has opened up new options for our custom-er orientation,” he said.

Dematic installed a central plant display unit networked with the plant components’ control units to enable consistent monitoring of the flow of goods and orders, which enables BINA to op-timise workload balancing across the operation.

For goods outwards, order containers buffered in the Multishuttle are delivered just in time for for despatch. Sequences that focus on package and branch-optimised positioning on the load carriers are created for the container flow.

The containers are automatically labelled during delivery to the despatch preparation area, where they are automatically stacked in sequence and palletised. They are then conveyed to the goods outwards area. Preparation for loading is also sequenced, improving despatch logistics.


WOOlWORThS melBourne, australia

Australia’s largest DC modernisation is designed to boost throughput by up to 80%, support growth for the next decade, and enable the country’s largest retailer, Woolworths to cost-effectively meet changing market demands.

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“

modERnIsIng WoolWoRths ndc to suPPoRt futuRE gRoWth

dematic is to be commended for

continually finding ways to complete all of the various

mechanical, electrical and It

systems upgrades without adversely

impacting the site’s day-to-day

operations.

Aaron Ford, Project Manager,

Woolworths Mulgrave NDC

BaTChiNg ORdERS & SORTiNg ThEm OuT Batch PicK & sort


WOOlWORThS melBourne, australia

Over the past decade, Australia’s leading retailer, Woolworths, has implemented extensive end-to-end supply chain transformation initiatives as part of its business restructuring program, Project Re-fresh, delivering savings of more than $8 billion.

A key initiative of Project Refresh was restructuring Woolworths’ state-based Distribution Centre (DC) network from 31 DCs to a national one with two National (NDCs) and nine Regional DCs (RDCs).

Dematic has played a key role in the moderni-sation of Woolworths’ Mulgrave facility from an RDC supplying 160 stores in Victoria to an NDC servicing more than 800 stores Australia-wide. Key drivers for the innovative modernisation were maximising employee productivity and ensuring flexibility and redundancy to deal with changing order profiles and/or conveyor downtime.

Like performing open heart and brain surgery

Challenged with implementing the upgrade while the NDC continued its round the clock, six days a week operation, Dematic’s Modernisation Team likened the process to performing open heart and brain surgery on a patient who is wide awake.Major works had to be managed within the con-straints of a live environment with the construc-tion area accounting for up to 30% of the DC.

Carton flows were redirected on a weekly basis as systems were decomissioned and new con-veyor modules installed. While construction con-tinued around the clock, testing and commis-sioning works had to be confined to less than a single day each week for this complex upgrade.

The process required military precision. During that time it was necessary to switch from a fully operational system to an upgrade environment. That meant completely backing up the system before installing, commissioning and testing new equipment and software. Once testing was complete, the system was brought back up to full operational mode and tested yet again.

Batch picked cases from full and split case picking modules are conveyed, pre-sorted and inducted onto the crossbelt sorter. The Modernisation project has increased the sorter’s throughput capacity from 6,400 to up to 11,500 cases per minute.

Key features of Dematic’s modernisation solution

• A new picking methodology for split case orders

• Relocating and extending various storage systems

• A new pick module, reconfiguring existing areas

• Installing zero-pressure accumulation conveyors prior to the crossbelt sorter inducts

• Introducing pre-sort scanners and conveyors

• A 47% increase in despatch staging capacity

• Adding new sorter infeed and 28 extra sort lanes

• Installing new 5-sided scan arrays in preparation for GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) scanning

• Removing redundant ASRS and Pick-to-Light

• The development, configuration and integration of a new software suite, including a new WMS and WLAN to support the new IT initiatives.


Strengthening the NDC’s heart

The heart of the Mulgrave NDC is its automated crossbelt sorting system, which takes batch-picked goods from multiple areas of the DC and automatically sorts them to the relevant shipping lane. The system was previously used to sepa-rately sort both full and split case items. How-ever to create additional sorting capacity, a new and more efficient method of pre-picking and packing split case orders into shippers has been introduced, enabling them to be sorted as full case items, boosting capacity.

Four inducts which were previously used for in-ducting split case items onto the sorter have been reconfigured to handle full cases. Inducting full cases onto the sorter at two locations increases the number of cartons the sorter can process, with every carriage now having the potential to complete two sorts each time it travels around the 240m sorter circuit. Pre-sort scanners direct stock to the most appropriate end of the sorter to maximise this benefit.

Another initiative designed to further increase crossbelt sorting efficiency is the implementa-tion of zero-pressure accumulation conveyors between the warehouse storage systems and the sorter infeeds. The conveyors enable cartons to accumulate on line, minimising gaps between them. This ensures a smooth, even flow of cartons onto the sorter inducts and minimises any instanc-es of conveyor stoppage in the picking areas.

Prior to the upgrade, the sorter was achieving throughput rates of up to 6,400 per hour. Con-verting the split case infeed to handle full cases, installing additional sortation lanes, accumula-tion conveyors and pre-sorting goods to each end of the sorter, together with the various IT and software enhancements, has increased capacity to an average of around 11,500 cases per hour.

Reconfiguring existing equipment and systems, adding new where required, and implementing smart IT and software, made Modernisation a much quicker and significantly less costly and disruptive solution for Woolworths, compared to what it would have faced had it chosen to build a new DC.

Improving the NDC’s brain power

A key driver was for the NDC’s new IT systems and soft-ware to be more robust and locally supported.

One of the highest risk areas concerning day-to-day operations at the NDC was its outdated IT systems and software. Dematic’s new Order Fulfilment Software (OFS) replaced five separate outdated and difficult to support databases and operating systems, with a single user-friendly software suite, improving order accuracy and batch control, and significantly mitigating the risks associated with the ageing IT systems and software.

The upgrade took into account Woolworths’ future plans which, when complete, will enable RF picking and GTIN sortation. Pick labels will be eliminated, as will other non- value-adding tasks like label printing and application.Voice picking will also be introduced, making the NDC Woolworths’ sixteenth site to make the switch to voice.

BaTChiNg ORdERS & SORTiNg ThEm OuT Batch PicK & sort

10 DEMATIC LOGISTICS REVIEW

10 stRatEgIEs foR dIstRIbutIon logIstIcs succEss

TEChNOlOgY fEaTuRE distriBution loGistics

Under pressure from the rising cost of retail shelf space and market demand for shorter lead times, your customers require you to deliver the right product to the right place, in full, on time, more frequently, in a store friendly format and at a competitive price. Add regulatory and safety issues and it is clear that distribution is a dynamic challenge. Dematic presents a simple new concept for grouping solutions into ten proven strategies that address these issues and deliver distribution logistics success.

Real-time enable your logistics processes

Improve warehouse & order management 21 3 Condense the pick

face & travel faster

1: Improve order and warehouse management and control

The first strategy for distribution logistics success utilises information to empower management and provide the information necessary to make informed business decisions. Most businesses, large and small, use some level of software for inventory management, order management, material flow and machine control. Modern WMS and WCS systems are designed to provide a single user interface for all order fulfilment activities with a host computer, typically a WMS or ERP (enterprise resource planning) system. Many supply chain gains can be made by businesses simply by organising their information using well designed software.

2: Increase efficiency and reduce errors by real-time enabling logistics processes

Many manual operations using conventional storage racks and shelving can be improved by adding a smart overlay of data-enabling devices that bring instruc-tions to the shopfloor in real time, boosting thoughput, productivity and accuracy.

Wireless RF Terminals, Voice Computers and Mobile Data Terminals create a paperless environment and help enable real-time transfer of information across the supply chain. These devices enhance efficien-cy, increase accuracy and productivity and provide greater supply chain visibility and traceability. They also allow businesses of all sizes achieve a highly flex-ible business model that facilitates change. This strat-egy is often adopted by 3PLs who have short term contracts and need to have a business that can be adapted quickly to future change.

3: Reduce the time wasted travelling by condensing the pick face and travelling faster

Many studies conclude that one of the biggest time wasters in order fulfilment is travel.

Pickers often need to travel from location to loca-tion. In small, relatively manual DCs there are two options that address the travel issue in a simple way that can dramatically enhance productivity.

Using pallet trucks, forklifts, order pickers, cranes or laser trucks lets the picker move faster and, when used in conjunction with smart storage systems, can help to boost productivity by allowing the picker to spend more time picking and less time travelling.

The second option to reduce travel is to condense the pick face. This is simply done by using bays of either pallet or carton live storage. These simple solutions condense the pick face by storing reserve stock in lanes behind the pick face. The pick face distance can be reduced by up to 80% saving a lot of wasted travel time when picking an order.

11DEMATIC LOGISTICS REVIEW

although not strictly a

hierarchy, it is often easiest to visualise

the ten strategies as

a series of steps.

The supply chain has undergone dramatic change in the past decade, with cost reduc-tions, productivity improvements and delivery performance no longer the only drivers for logis-tics system design.

Today, labour availability, OH&S and flexibility are equally important considerations, with the growing awareness of these issues driving a dis-tribution logistics revolution across all markets from retailers to wholesalers, and manufactur-ers to 3PL (third-party logistics) providers.

Working on thousands of projects with many of the world’s most successful and enterpris-ing businesses gives Dematic a unique global insight into what it takes to deliver distribution logistics success.

While different industries, markets, countries, cultures and companies of different sizes all re-quire their own solutions, our experience shows there are many different technologies and tech-niques helpful in improving performance, but it is often difficult to sort out which is the most appropriate and why. That’s why we have devel-oped a system for grouping concepts.

We call this model the ten strategies for distri-bution success and logically applied, they con-sistently help companies of all shapes and sizes improve their distribution logistics performance.

Although not strictly a hierarchy, it is often easi-est to visualise the ten strategies as a series of steps. The further up the steps you go, the greater the return from leveraging economies of scale with increasing levels of technology.

And while it doesn’t make sense to consider high levels of automation for small companies with basic distribution requirements, clever ideas can help make the distribution task smarter and more economical. Relatively simple, low-cost initia-tives can deliver impressive results for smaller companies. It’s also wrong to assume that all big companies should automate all distribution functions. A high level of automation may opti-mise productivity and lower costs in the short term, but when product profiles, market demand or workforce availability change, the potential lack of flexibility with automated solutions may become a problem longer term. Knowing which strategies to apply where and when to get the best out of your business is the key.

5 Batch pick & sort to increase productivity

Condense the pick face & travel faster 4 Move the orders to

picking zones


4: Boost efficiency by letting the orders travel to pickers via smart conveyor routing

The fourth strategy goes one step further in tackling the travel problem. By utilising smart material flow controls and zone routing conveyor systems, orders do the travelling from zone to zone, and pickers stay within their picking zone. Zone routing solutions are ideal for mid-to-large size companies who supply split case orders and who are trying to introduce a basic level of automation.

Many find that this concept can be applied to their en-tire range using different levels of automation to opti-mise picking efficiency across the product movement curve. For example, combinations of A-frames, carton live storage zones and conventional binning zones can be arranged with various combinations of pick-to-light and voice-directed picking to enhance productivity and accuracy for fast movers and slow movers alike. Clever software can enhance overall system perform-ance by taking orders only to the zones where they are needed, eliminating bottlenecks in material flow.

5: Increase productivity by picking multiple orders at the same time

Another logical strategy designed to tackle perform-ance issues in picking is to get the picker to pick multiple orders at every pick location. This can be achieved by combining orders for several custom-ers into what we call a batch. When a picker is able to batch pick the stock for multiple orders at each location, it significantly increases productivity and throughput. Full case applications include Walk-Pick-to-Belt conveyor, with the batch-picked goods transported and automatically sorted back to indi-vidual order requirements by smart conveyor sorta-tion systems.

In split case applications, cluster picking allows multiple orders to be picked in a single pass, with pickers typically using RF or voice-directed trolleys using Pick-to-Light displays to direct the picker as each batch is selected.

Many studies conclude that one of the biggest time wasters in order fulfilment is travel.

Pickers often need to travel from location to loca-tion. In small, relatively manual DCs there are two options that address the travel issue in a simple way that can dramatically enhance productivity.

Using pallet trucks, forklifts, order pickers, cranes or laser trucks lets the picker move faster and, when used in conjunction with smart storage systems, can help to boost productivity by allowing the picker to spend more time picking and less time travelling.

The second option to reduce travel is to condense the pick face. This is simply done by using bays of either pallet or carton live storage. These simple solutions condense the pick face by storing reserve stock in lanes behind the pick face. The pick face distance can be reduced by up to 80% saving a lot of wasted travel time when picking an order.

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6: Use smart software to gain free picks by picking only those items you need

Many companies are completely unaware that there are opportunities to totally eliminate the need to pick a case from a pallet at all, and that’s where the sixth strategy comes into play.

Smart order fulfilment software can be used to recognise free picks. By analysing and cross-matching customer requirements, it is possible to pair orders so that by picking the stock for one, the stock that is left behind creates a free pick.

The concept can be used manually or by incorporating a robot to do the picking. It can be used in mixed case or layer picking operations. Either way, productivity increases with picking rates of over 1400 cases/hour achievable.

7: Use buffering and sequencing technology to eliminate travel and facilitate Goods-to-Person (GTP)

One of the newest and most impressive strategies for distribution logistics success uses a concept where travel is eliminated altogether.

Goods to person picking has been around for many years but the thing that makes it feasible today is the power of the computer combined with new buffer-ing and sequencing systems. Modern storage and retrieval engines and sequencing technologies have created a revolution. Dense and highly efficient ASRS systems can now handle the volumes required to se-lect either totes or pallets and deliver them to picking or putting locations.

In high volume split and full case picking operations new technology allows stock for orders to be pre-picked, buffered, sequenced and delivered to pickers precisely when and in the order they need it, driving new, more cost-effective distribution solutions.

8: Let the goods and the orders do the travelling with split case GTP picking solutions

Use smart software to pick one, get one free 6 7 Eliminate travel with

Goods to Person (GTP) 8 Let split case goods & orders do the travelling

Improving performance and reducing costs by eliminating non value-adding tasks

Order fulfilment typically accounts for about 90% of distribution centre costs, however analy-sis of many order fulfilment operations highlights a multitude of non-value adding tasks. You pay pickers to pick, but often to do their job, they must do many non-productive tasks as well. They need to collect picking instructions and the equipment they need, find the stock location, in-spect the stock to ensure it is correct, pick the items required, check and mark the order. But mostly they travel from location to location.

The ten strategies for distribution logistics suc-cess reduce and eliminate non value-adding waste throughout distribution operations.

The eighth strategy is the application of GTP picking in high volume split case applications.

Travel is eliminated altogether.

Pickers stay put in ergonomically designed picking stations designed to optimise efficiency and meet workplace safety requirements. In GTP systems, the orders and the stock required to fulfil the orders travels to the picker’s location precisely when they are needed. Pick and put stations can be designed to facilitate discrete or batch picking depending on order processing needs. Pick stations can be further enhanced using various scanning technologies, pick-to-light or voice-directed computing.

Either way, split case GTP solutions can prove to be highly efficient when high volumes and repetitive picking tasks are required.

TEChNOlOgY fEaTuRE distriBution loGistics 10: Automate to increase productivity in heavy or repetitive environments

9: Build pallets faster and safer with GTP full case palletising solutions

8: Let the goods and orders do the travelling with split case GTP picking solutions

7: Use buffering and sequencing technology to eliminate travel

6: Use smart software to gain free picks by picking only those items you need to




2: Increase productivity, efficiency, and reduce errors by real-time enabling logistics processes

1: Introduce order and warehouse management software and control systems

Automated picking, layer picking and

palletising solutions

Goods-to-Person (GTP) full case order assembly

Goods-to-Person (GTP) split case order picking

Multishuttle buffering and sequencing

Free pick order fulfilment software

Batch pick and sortation

Smart zone routing conveyors

Live storage and materials handling equipment

Wireless real time logistics solutions

Warehouse management and control systems

Non value-adding activity removed

Automating processes improves productivity

Travel is eliminated


Wasted replenishment time is eliminated

Recognises that not all goods need to be picked

Reduces travel and increases productivity

Almost eliminates travel

Reduces travel time

Eliminates paper and speeds information flow

Improves management visibility and control

Type of applications

Split & full case

Full case

Split case

Split & full case

Full case

Split & full case

Split & full case

Split & full case

All

All

Customer size

Very Large

Large

Large

Large

Mid-large

Mid-large

Mid-large

Mid-large

All

All

Strategy/ solution


8: Let the goods and the orders do the travelling with split case GTP picking solutions

9: Build orders and unit loads faster and safer with GTP full case palletising solutions

In the ninth strategy, full case picking is examined. Much like split case picking, the equivalent full case solution utilises cleverly designed work stations that ergonomically allow the building of mixed case pal-lets. Travel is completely eliminated by supplying pre-picked and sequenced mixed cases in the correct order for load assembly at palletising stations where operators simply slide cases into position, making the task easier, faster and safer.

The stations are often built on a mezzanine floor with integrated conveyors delivering a constant flow of mixed cases. As each layer of cases is completed, the pallet automatically lowers, enabling assembly of the next layer to begin, significantly reducing the physical effort required, and improving the safety, speed and quality of order assembly.

As the pallet is being lowered, it may be stretch wrapped for stability.

10: Enhance productivity with fully automated picking and palletising solutions

In the strategies so far, people have been used in the process. The idea has been to make them more produc-tive by eliminating non-value adding tasks. But in some cases where goods are too heavy or there are very high volumes, solutions can be completely automated.

Advances in software, product storage, buffering, sequencing and recognition systems, and high speed articulated robots with versatile product gripping tools, have driven the development of automated picking and palletising systems capable of handling a diverse range of SKUs including boxes of various sizes, trays, open or closed cartons, bagged goods and sacks.

Capable of building higher, more dense and stable pal-lets, with improvements in speed, accuracy and store- friendly flexibility, these extremely accurate, fast and reliable systems can even handle multiple mixed case SKUs. For split case, A-frames automatically dispense items, but need people to replenish them.

Summary

From the first strategy – implementing warehouse management software to get better visibility and control – to the last – fully automating processes and eliminating and many other non-value adding tasks. – our new grouping concept demonstrates the many opportunities for companies of all shapes and sizes to create more effective supply chains now and into the future.

Each step in the hierarchy is a step towards im-proved efficiency in distribution and supply chain management.

Each strategy is designed to eliminate non value-adding activities and address important business drivers.

Intelligently applied, they bring distribution strat-egy into alignment with business strategy and pro-vide a competitive edge.

Let split case goods & orders do the travelling 9 Smarter, faster, safer

mixed case palletising High rate automated picking & palletising10

The eighth strategy is the application of GTP picking in high volume split case applications.

Travel is eliminated altogether.

Pickers stay put in ergonomically designed picking stations designed to optimise efficiency and meet workplace safety requirements. In GTP systems, the orders and the stock required to fulfil the orders travels to the picker’s location precisely when they are needed. Pick and put stations can be designed to facilitate discrete or batch picking depending on order processing needs. Pick stations can be further enhanced using various scanning technologies, pick-to-light or voice-directed computing.

Either way, split case GTP solutions can prove to be highly efficient when high volumes and repetitive picking tasks are required.

10 STRaTEgiES fOR distriBution loGistics success 10: Automate to increase productivity in heavy or repetitive environments

9: Build pallets faster and safer with GTP full case palletising solutions

8: Let the goods and orders do the travelling with split case GTP picking solutions

7: Use buffering and sequencing technology to eliminate travel

6: Use smart software to gain free picks by picking only those items you need to




2: Increase productivity, efficiency, and reduce errors by real-time enabling logistics processes

1: Introduce order and warehouse management software and control systems

Automated picking, layer picking and

palletising solutions

Goods-to-Person (GTP) full case order assembly

Goods-to-Person (GTP) split case order picking

Multishuttle buffering and sequencing

Free pick order fulfilment software

Batch pick and sortation

Smart zone routing conveyors

Live storage and materials handling equipment

Wireless real time logistics solutions

Warehouse management and control systems

Non value-adding activity removed

Automating processes improves productivity



Wasted replenishment time is eliminated

Recognises that not all goods need to be picked

Reduces travel and increases productivity

Almost eliminates travel

Reduces travel time

Eliminates paper and speeds information flow

Improves management visibility and control

Type of applications

Split & full case

Full case

Split case

Split & full case

Full case

Split & full case

Split & full case

Split & full case

All

All

Customer size

Very Large

Large

Large

Large

Mid-large

Mid-large

Mid-large

Mid-large

All

All

Strategy/ solution


Tesco Lotus is increasing the number of its Express convenience stores in Thailand, with Dematic recently assisting the retailer with a new split case picking solution encompassing order fulfilment software, paperless picking technology, and an integrated conveying system.

TESCO lOTuSBanGBuathonG, thailand

14

sPlIt casE PIckIng foR tEsco lotus


Operators press buttons on the PTL displays, pro-viding real time confirmation of each pick as it is completed. With the PTL technology, both accu-racy and productivity have significantly improved.

Conveying

When totes become full during picking, they are transferred to a central takeaway conveyor for transportation to despatch. Order picking contin-ues into a new tote. Totes are transported from the Pick Module and sorted to store in prepara-tion for marshalling and despatch.

Robust, reliable and supportable IT systems

With the system managed by Dematic’s bi-lin-gual PickDIRECTOR software, Tesco Lotus has real-time visibility and tracking of each item that is picked, the tote it is picked into, the opera-tor who performed the task and the time it was done. PickDIRECTOR’s reports and statistics in Thai have proven to be invaluable tools for Tesco Lotus’ supervisors in managing operations.

Additionally, Dematic’s visualisation system pro-vides remote system control, real time equipment monitoring and status information in graphical format, allowing fast and easy diagnostics for management and maintenance staff alike.

Customer benefits

• Increased productivity and throughput capacity• Real time visibility and operational flexibility• Modularity and scalability for growth• Improved accuracy, traceability, accountability.

15

ElimiNaTiNg TRaVEl: SPliT CaSE let the orders do the movinG

Tesco Lotus’ Express outlets are small format convenience stores offering customers access to a range of grocery products in local residen-tial areas. With the number of Express outlets set to grow, Tesco has implemented a new Central Express Distribution Centre at Bangbuathong to facilitate efficient distribution to these stores.

For Tesco Lotus’ large scale hypermarket outlets, goods are distributed mostly as full cases, layers and full pallets. By contrast, distribution for the Ex-press stores involves a significant amount of split case picking. Recognising that split case order fulfilment is more challenging, complex and labour intensive compared to conventional distribution, Tesco Lotus approached Dematic for assistance in developing a solution that would enable picking across tens of thousands of order lines, and facili-tate over one million unit picks every day.

Dematic’s integrated solution

Working together with Tesco Lotus in the plan-ning phase to understand all the operational re-quirements, Dematic studied the product range and analysed the order profile.

The integrated solution included a specially de-signed pick module, real time Pick-To-Light (PTL) paperless picking technology and an integrated conveying system.

Efficient order picking

The multi-level Pick Module comprises carton live storage picking aisles with products located in zones and each location equipped with a PTL device. Store orders picked into totes are passed sequentially through the picking zones.

Totes are inducted into zones with a hand scan-ner and the PTL devices are illuminated to indi-cate the products and the quantities required.

nanthapol kanjanazoon, general manager, bangbuathong dc

16 DEMATIC LOGISTICS REVIEW

“The decision to expand our DCs was driven by volume growth,” said Bobby Burg, Southern’s Senior VP of Supply Chain Strategy.

“Like in many other industries there is consolida-tion occurring, meaning fewer and fewer whole-salers. Much of our growth is coming through consolidation.”

Southern Wine and Spirits distribution

Southern’s distribution facilities provide next day delivery to around 140,000 customers. It exclu-sively uses its own internally managed fleet. Or-ders received by 5:00 pm are delivered the fol-lowing day. The company is constantly refining its automation processes to ensure the most effi-cient production and consistent level of customer service.

Despite its continual growth. Southern maintains a strong focus on customer service, with decisions driven by customers’ needs and requirements.

The company uses a hub-and-spoke system for distribution – they have one central DC servicing multiple cross-dock facilities, where goods are transferred into route trucks for local deliveries.

When Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc. – the USA’s largest wine and spirits distributor – builds a new DC, they do it in a big way. Running 18 DCs is a big operation by any measure. After updating two into its “New Generation” format, next up was its biggest DC yet – a 650,000 sq ft state of the art complex in Lakeland, Florida.

Nationally, the company operates a fleet of 1,100 of its own local delivery trucks and 120 semis.

“In the old paper process, when we were reading a sheet of paper to pick and put a case on the line, we would shoot for maybe 180 cases per man hour for a good picker. Now, our minimum on a pick line is 250 cases per man hour, a 40% pro-ductivity increase,” said Mr Burg.

Smart handling of split case orders

Although the majority of deliveries encompass full cases, there is some full pallet delivery to su-permarkets and other chain stores, and a small amount of cross-docking to accommodate.

However, an interesting part of this operation is how Southern handles split case orders. Restau-rants and bars often order a single bottle to keep costs down or because they don’t have the stor-age space to order by the case.

Voice picking is used in a split case pick module for fast, accurate, efficient mixed order assembly.

bIggEst dc yEt foR southERn

SOuThERN WiNE aNd SPiRiTSlaKeland, florida

Pick line productivity has increased from 180 to 250 cases/man hour.

17DEMATIC LOGISTICS REVIEW

Reducing product breakage

Roller accumulation conveyors minimise gaps and contribute to low product damage. Smooth starts and stops ensure fragile and unstable loads can be safely transported and accumulated. Heavy-duty conveyors handle cases weighing 35-40 pounds, working efficiently under load; transporting, accumulating, reorienting and staging efficiently.

7,000 feet of conveyors move products at a rate of 500 feet/minute – fast considering a lot of the products are high end, and almost all in glass. The breakage percentage is very low – less than one per cent and half the industry average. When handling over 11 million cases – at an av-erage value of $100 – it is a substantial improve-ment over industry norms.

Slug merge streamlines carton handling

The slug merge system controls the staging and re-lease of cartons into the sorter, increasing system throughput, eliminating bottlenecks, smoothing out variances from multiple pick areas and opti-mising batch cycling. Cases scanned upstream are released into the merge as a slug without gaps, increasing the rate of flow through the sorter compared to conventional merges.

“For cartons, the product is picked, put on con-veyor, labelled with an ID tag, and sent into an ac-cumulation area,” said Dematic’s Don Passarella.

“They are scanned and released into a merge. Normally, when product is released into a merge, it creates gaps that limit throughput. We used a unique technology at the merge, where we pre-build slugs of product then pre-set the gapping of the product on the slug belts. As we release the slugs, it gives us very precise handling of fragile products. The cases that come through the merge are now pre-gapped and there is a constant, even flow going to the sorter.”

Sortation increases throughput and accuracy

Dematic’s high-rate sliding shoe sorter provides quiet sortation and ultra-high throughput. The highest sort rates Southern had achieved before Lakeland DC was 6,000 cases/hour. The new system is capable of handling 10,000 cases/hour, and an extra 12,000 bottles in split case/hour.

Before, the DC averaged 150 cases/man hour. Now, it is handling 225 cases/man hour.

In terms of shipping accuracy, Southern was av-eraging one per cent errors out the door, it now averages 0.2% – an 80% reduction. “A five-sid-ed scan tunnel at the end of the sorter provides for the verification of all the SCC codes (Source Classification Code) to the shipping links,” said Mr Passarella. “This is a customisation we did using point-camera technology to read barcodes on cases, and compare that to shipping labels to ensure the correct label is applied to the right case, and customers get what they ordered.”

“The decision to expand our DCs was driven by

volume growth. Like in many other industries there is consolidation

occurring, meaning fewer

and fewer wholesalers ... much of

our growth is coming through consolidation.”

Bobby Burg, Senior VP of Supply Chain Strategy, Southern Wine and Spirits

“

“ BaTChiNg ORdERS & SORTiNg ThEm OuT

Batch PicK & sort


VoIcE PIckIng staRts a logIstIcs chaIn REactIon Chain Reaction Cycles sells bicycles, spare parts and accessories online, direct to the customer. Recently the company also expanded into winter sports goods and now offers an amazing 84,000 different products from its 150,000 sq ft purpose-built facility in Ballyclare, just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Celebrating 25 years of business in 2010, this family-owned company became an online busi-ness 10 years ago, and is currently experiencing a staggering 40% year on year growth.

Sounding out the benefits of voice picking

Realising it needed to improve order fulfilment to accommodate its rapid growth and, being aware of the benefits that voice picking could deliver, CRC approached Dematic.

“We subsequently spent three days on site at CRC conducting a study and setting up a live trial of voice picking to demonstrate the concept to those on the CRC board who were not familiar with the technology,” said Stuart Stables, Head of Dematic’s Product Division

“During our review of operations, we also identi-fied that CRC’s in-house ERP system lacked the specialist warehouse functionality of Dematic’s own Warehouse Management System (WMS), which we could tailor to suit CRC’s particular re-quirements.”

Dematic won the contract, but no longer for just voice picking and a packing system. It also in-cluded Dematic’s WMS to cover all warehousing aspects for CRC including goods receipt, put-away, replenishment, pick and pack, stock and cycle counting, and kitting, with CRC also mak-ing bicycle wheels to customer requests.

During the development of the WMS, Dematic identified significant potential efficiency improve-ments from feeding orders to the packing area on an automated conveyor system. Cartons are now erected automatically and fed to packers, while conveyors transport picked orders from the pick-ing zones directly to the packers, significantly re-ducing the amount of time wasted travelling.

Dematic is supplying Chain Reaction Cycles, the world’s largest online bike store, with a solution for voice picking, packing and conveying, as well as a tailored warehouse management system in a logistics solution that will drive a 50% improvement in order picking efficiency.

ChaiN REaCTiON CYClES Belfast, northern ireland

18


“ “

19

REal-TimE ENaBlE lOgiSTiCSwireless data communications

Implementing the solution one step at a time

With a tight timeline for its deployment, Dematic split the scheme into two phases.

The first phase comprised implementing the voice picking system, including 35 Vocollect Talkman terminals, and the packing and despatch system, which features 20 packing terminals, with each packing station including a touch screen, bar-code scanners and label and document printers.

The second phase involved deployment of the full WMS, including goods in, stock management and replenishment modules and included the supply of hand-held wireless data terminals to improve CRC’s goods receipt and put-away pro-cesses, and was completed after the new pack-ing conveyors had been installed. Order pick-ing efficiency has been improved by up to 50%. Dematic’s integrated logistics solution also gives CRC’s management team real-time information at its fingertips, with full visibility of all order status.

“The simple, intuitive voice system helps speed operations as it tells pickers where to go and what to pick, and gets them to confirm they have the correct item. This simplicity also makes it easy to get people up to speed, picking quickly,” said Dematic’s Stuart Stables.

Speeding up the supply chain

“As we have come to realise the potential of our own supply chain for gaining competitive ad-vantage, I was charged with the responsibility of speeding the flow of goods through the ware-house as efficiently as possible. Maintaining in-ventories at optimum levels and raising customer service performance have become key priorities,” said Barry Dunn, CRC’s Operations Manager.

“Keeping customers satisfied requires a fast and efficient service with the right product being de-livered, in perfect condition, on time. Our ware-house can no longer afford to be regarded as a dusty building for holding stock. It has to perform so that goods are received, processed and des-patched with the minimum of errors. Mistakes that occur in picking are costly, both in terms of pickup/delivery costs and repackaging, as well as customer dissatisfaction and the loss of busi-ness errors cause.”

“After lots of research into various technologies, case studies, site visits and sales pitches, and, with a lot of help from Dematic, we decided to deploy voice picking to our warehouse, allowing our picking staff to simply listen and respond to instructions through a headset, leaving their eyes and hands free to pick efficiently.

“Pickers in the warehouse can receive voice in-structions, ask questions and report back with-out having to carry paper with them or keep returning to a picking desk. They don’t have to un-holster and operate a data terminal with a keyboard, or waste time looking at displays; they can just keep their eyes on what they are doing at all times.”

Mr Dunn added: “Dematic’s approach was very refreshing. Having sat through lots of sales pitch-es from various companies, it was great when Dematic arrived with the voice hardware in a suit-case and a very practical approach to working out what best suited our business needs.”

“With a lot of help from Dematic, we decided to deploy voice picking to our warehouse,

allowing our picking staff to

listen and respond to instructions

through a headset, leaving their eyes and hands free

to pick efficiently.”Barry Dunn,

Operations Manager, Chain Reaction Cycles


NEWS, PROduCTS, TEChNOlOgY& software review

hk systEms joIns thE dEmatIc famIly

MillerCoors, Trenton, Ohio

Leading brewer MillerCoors automated ware-house operations at its Ohio brewery, improving inventory accuracy and availability, increasing truck loading efficiency and volume, and lower-ing operating costs.

Located adjacent to its existing warehouse, a new four-aisle, double-deep rack providing stor-age for over 10,000 pallets up to 82’’ high is ser-viced by four 110 ft tall SRMs capable of stor-ing or retrieving two pallets weighing up to 2500 pounds at a time.

A fleet of 32 laser-guided AGVs transport two pallets at a time over 3,000 feet of path to deep lane floor storage locations for fast moving items, with slow movers and single pallet items to the ASRS for storage. The AGVs transport pallets for despatch or directly to the rail or truck shipping docks, with pallets staged in the required rail or truck load sequence.

Finished goods are not handled manually until they are picked up from the shipping area close to the docks.

The AGV system also features an automated battery charging and exchange system, which enables the system to run and operate without human interaction.

Now fully integrated into Dematic, HK Systems shares its vast and complementary knowledge. This important acquisition enhances Dematic’s breadth and scope of industry specific expertise, as highlighted in the following case studies.

a fleet of 32 agVs and a 110 ft tall asRs handle two pallets at a time, keeping the goods flowing efficiently at millercoors ohio brewery.

the space saving asRs at utah state archives, saved more than us$2 million in construction costs alone.

Utah State Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah

The Utah State Archives, which houses Utah’s oldest and most valuable documents, photos and the original Utah State Constitution, was the first fully automated archive collection in the USA.

Archivists needed a storage solution that offered this priceless collection a secure and consistent-ly controlled environment, while maximising the use of space, with only archival approved shelv-ing used to ensure that no contaminants were introduced into the collection.

The automated library system (ALS) provides rapid access to the collection, and features a 44 ft high storage system configured with two aisles serviced by two triple deep storage and retrieval machines (SRMs). Comprising 18 bays of triple deep rack, it provides a total of 1080 storage lo-cations, each holding 48 archive boxes, creating a total storage capacity of 51,840 boxes.

In total, the system occupies a footprint of just 7,592 sqft, less than 25% of the floorspace that would have been required for conventional ar-chive storage, saving more than US$2 million in construction costs. The Equipment Management Software that controls the ALS operations inter-faces directly with archive application software to create load movements, track location infor-mation, and provide collection analysis.


the asRs at ford in chicago handles fully painted car bodies and sequences them for final trim.

77 sRms with rotating forks service more than 64,000 pallet locations at stop & shop’s dc in massachusetts.

Ford Motor Company, Chicago, Illinois

This innovative four-aisle ASRS receives car bod-ies on skids from paint operations and delivers them in sequence to final trim.

The rack supported structure has nine levels and eight bays providing a maximum of 576 storage locations, and is serviced by four double-masted SRMs, designed to handle a car body on a single skid weighing up to 2,200 pounds.

The skids are stored in the ASRS in the single deep position using only the rack locations that are between SRM aisles. If one aisle is taken out of service, all of the loads in that aisle can be ac-cessed from the adjacent aisle using the SRM’s double deep capacity.

The computer control system tracks inventory, selects aisles, manages the integrated conveyor, controls the safety gates, schedules vehicle re-trievals based on Ford’s required build sequence and provides all required recovery capabilities.

Ford has been able to introduce the same ve-hicle build schedule into Final Assembly as was started in the body shop. This enables suppliers to receive, manufacture, assemble, ship and de-liver components in sequence.

Stop & Shop, Freetown, Massachusetts

With its Freetown DC, Stop & Shop built the most advanced automated grocery distribution store in North America. Housing more than 64,000 pallets, the DC comprises two separate warehouses: at 500,000 sq ft, the perishable goods warehouse provides over 25,000 single deep ASRS storage locations serviced by 35 SRMs, while the 620,000 sq ft dry goods warehouse provides over 38,500 storage locations serviced by 42 SRMs.

Inbound pallets are brought to the ASRS by WMS-directed forklifts, where they are automatically re-trieved from pick up stations and put-away. The SRMs also replenish floor level pick slots in each aisle and perform empty pallet take-aways.

A special SRM with rotating forks was specififed for this project, with the multi-function unit compat- ible for use in just about every warehouse layout.

Alternating with each ASRS aisle is a pick aisle where operators pick cases to automated pallet trucks. Pick instructions and acknowledgement are conducted via a voice-activated interface to the WMS.

The integrated solution has increased inventory accuracy, cut product and rack damage, im-proved workplace safety and reduced staffing overheads across all three shifts.


NEWS, PROduCTS, TEChNOlOgY& software review

With Dematic’s new RapidPick, order fulfilment is just like an assembly line, with the stock for orders arriving at precisely the right time and in the correct sequence to fulfil orders as efficiently as possible.

Screens provide step-by-step instructions facilitating fast, accurate and safe order picking increasing productivity to over 1000 order lines per hour.

nEW namE foR asRs

RaPIdstoRE

dEmatIc RaPIdPIck: 1000+/houR

Equipped with a telescoping Load Handling Device (LHD), MS-Flex shuttles feature a split chassis design comprising a fixed side (front) and a moveable side (back). This provides the LHD with its flexible width adjustment. The system is capable of handling products ranging in width from 200-625mm.

EnhancIng multIshuttlE flExIbIlItyDematic has significantly improved the functionality of the Multishuttle automated storage, buffering and sequencing system. MS-Flex extends Multishuttle’s handling range, giving it the capability of picking a wider range of unit loads, such as totes, trays and cartons, of varying widths and lengths.

MS-Flex is suitable for both single and double deep applications, using a set of retractable fingers to put-away and retrieve goods of differing shapes and sizes.

With variable length loads, the actual position of where the fingers engage the unit load is dynamic.

The shuttle’s on-board controller uses the length data to calculate where the edge of the load is relative to the fingers.

When required, the telescoping LHD moves at a fast speed to a point prior to finger engagement of the unit load, slows down to engage the item, then accelerates for the rest of the handling cycle, optimising throughput.

®


DEMATIC LOGISTICS REVIEW 23DEMATIC LOGISTICS REVIEW

takE contRol of youR dc WIth nEW dc dIREctoR

Dematic DC Director provides a single user interface for all order fulfilment activities with the user’s host computer – typically a WMS or ERP system – and enables the seamless integration of technologies and software.

It manages the flow of materials and orders, constantly reporting status back to the host, enabling host inventory data to be

Dematic has introduced DC Director V2.0, an integrated warehouse control software product, which provides real-time order management, material flow, and machine control for effective DC operations and logistics management.

Host

Host Interface/ERP Adapter

Logistics Manager (LMS)

Warehouse Control

Advanced Forklift

Management

Vehicle- Mounted and Hand Held Wireless Data & Voice Terminals

MultishuttleMiniloadASRSCase & PslletConveyorsMonorail

ConveyorsMerge & InductsSortersScannersPalletising

RapidPick & other GTP workstationsMultishuttleMiniloadConveyors

Pick to PaperPick RF CartPick by VoicePick to LightPut to LightRobot Picking

Material Flow

Control

Carton Routing & Sortation

Goods-to- Person Picking

Person-to-Goods Picking

Log

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pit

Perform

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Controls and Devices Interface

updated in real time and facilitating other processes including automated invoicing and shipping documentation.

DC Director integrates technologies such as RF and voice picking, pick-to-light, and ergonomic picking stations, with automated materials handling systems including ASRS and conveyors, into a single order fulfilment system.

nEW namE foR asRs

RaPIdstoRE User-friendly web and mobile client interfaces provide real-time visibility to assist decision support and management:

• Order detail with zone by zone status

• Container contents and location tracking

• Workload reports to aid allocation and balancing of resources

• Picker and zone productivity reports.

Configured with racks, rails, in-feed and out-feed stations, controls and software, RapidStore Unit Load SRMs (storage and retrieval machines) provide superior unit load handling and performance.

Combining innovative engineering and manufacturing techniques, Dematic RapidStore UL is a new class of SRM delivering an outstanding combination of quality, impressive performance and unbeatable value.

RapidStore UL SRMs are available in a range of sizes and speeds to precisely match your storage and handling requirements.

Suitable for both new and existing storage facilities, RapidStore UL integrates standard

In a major update of our Miniload and Unit Load range of SRMs, Dematic has created a new name – RapidStore – for its comprehensive range of ASRS solutions.

components, optimising reliability and minimising costs.

Requiring aisles just 250mm wider than the load and reaching up to 30 metres, RapidStore UL ensures higher storage density and immediate access to each and every pallet.

RapidStore UL SRMs feature a unique mast design allowing them to operate at impressive travel speeds up to 240 metres/minute, hoisting speeds up to 85 metres/minute and fork speeds up to 90 metres/minute.

That equates to a retrieval rate of 63 pallets per hour or 40 double cycles in a single deep system that is 24m high with a 65m long aisle. Such a system would accommodate up to 1600 standard sized pallets in a single aisle and 3200 pallets in a double deep configuration.


www.dematic.com

Dematic HeadquartersDematic Group S.à r.l. 2-8, avenue Charles de GaulleL-1653 LuxembourgT +352 27 48 59F +352 27 48 59-99

North AmericaT +1 877 725-7500F +1 616 [email protected]

United StatesDematic Corp.507, Plymouth Avenue NEGrand Rapids, Michigan 49505USA

Dematic New Berlin2855 S. James DriveNew Berlin, WI 53151USA

CanadaDematic Limited6711 Mississauga Road, L5N 2W3 Mississauga-ONCanada

South AmericaT: +55 11 3627-3100F: +55 11 [email protected]

BrazilDematic Sist. Equip. Mov. Mat. Ltda Av. Embaixador Macedo Soares, 107354º Andar - Vila Anastácio - São Paulo05035-000 – Brasil

EuropeT: +49 (69) 244 333-151F: +49 (69) 244 [email protected]

GermanyDematic Europe GmbHFriedrich-Ebert-Anlage 36D-60325 Frankfurt am Main

Dematic GmbHCarl-Legien-Str. 1563073 OffenbachGermany

AustriaDematic GmbH & Co. KGGraumanngasse 7, Top A5-11150 ViennaAustria

DenmarkDematic Skandinavien Skottenborg 12-148800 ViborgDanmark

FranceDematic S.A.S.6, Avenue Gutenberg77600 Bussy Saint GeorgesFrance

ItalyDematic S.r.l.Via Firenze 1120063 Cernusco sul Naviglio (MI)Italy

LithuaniaDematic KaunasRaudondvario Pl. 107LT-47186 KaunasLithuania

NetherlandsDematic Benelux Europalaan 4c5232 BC Den BoschNederland

RussiaDematic GmbHRussian Representative Officeul. Bakhrushina 32/1RU 115054 Moscow

SpainDematic Logistic Systems S.A.C/Alemania, 2-428820 Coslada, Madrid Spain

SwitzerlandDematic SwitzerlandBirmensdorfer ntr. St8902 UrdorfSwitzerland

United KingdomDematic LtdBeumont Rd, Banbury, OXONOX16 1QZ United Kingdom

Asia PacificT: +61 2 9486 5555F: +61 2 9486 [email protected]

AustraliaDematic Pty Ltd24 Narabang WayBelrose NSW 2085Australia

SingaporeDematic S.E.A. Pte. Ltd.Eunos Road 8 #09-01ASingapore Post Centre Singapore

ChinaDematic Shanghai18F Tower 1, Kerry Everbright City,No. 218, West Tianmu Road,Shanghai 200070, P.R.China

MalaysiaDematic Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.12-03A, Level 12, Plaza MasalamJalan Tengku Ampuan Zabedah E 9/E Section 9, 40100 Shah Alam Selangor, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

New ZealandDematic Pty LtdEastside - Building 7, 15 Accent DrEast Tamaki, AucklandNew Zealand

dematic logistics review - issue 3

Documents

dematic logistics reviewissue

dematic brand

leading systems

logistics software solutions

welcome hk systems

systems integrator

dematic new dc director

new products