DHL Supply Chain has announced that it has implemented Europe’s first fully automated AutoStore logistics system in Braunschweig, Germany. According to DHL, the compact storage and retrieval system enables optimised space-saving storage of small parts and fully automatic picking of up to 18m items per year.
The solution has been supplied by Element Logic and consists of an aluminium frame in which the current inventory is stacked and stored over 16 levels in more than 40,000 plastic containers.
The top floor serves as a route for the robots, 26 of which are deployed in the 1-2-3.tv warehouse in Braunschweig alone, where they automatically pick the ordered goods and group them for further processing by the employees. The goods are placed in the respective package for the customer order on a dispatch and transport system, automatically sealed and then dispatched. According to DHL, by working alongside the employees on-site, the system increases the processing speed of each individual order, optimises processes for employees and improves operational efficiency.
Following 1-2-3.tv’s recent investment in order acceptance processes and the digitalisation of its entire supply chain, this solution represents the company’s third optimisation step along its process chain.
“Our company has already invested heavily in lean processes and sustainable automation in the past. With the introduction of the flexible and modular robotic solution from Autostore, we are building on the strong growth realised in recent years, optimizing our logistics processes sustainably,” explains Eberhard Kuom, Executive Vice President Finance and Operations at 1-2-3.tv.
“Thanks to the Autostore system, we have continuous inventory control and can achieve high efficiency in storage and retrieval, so that customer orders can be processed quickly and reliably. In addition, the logistics solution relieves our employees on site by shortening walking distances. They are now able to focus their energies on more demanding activities in other areas on site,” says Andreas Bicking, Business Unit Director e-commerce DHL Supply Chain Germany & Alps.
Source: Deutsche Post DHL Group
