Image: Fressnapf
Fulfillment is progressing. It's not quite at the point where pets can independently order their favorite items via e-commerce. But pet supply specialist Fressnapf, with its new logistics system from Vanderlande, is getting closer to that goal.
Vanderlande has for the construction of a new fulfillment center in Nörvenich and, in cooperation with the Logistics Solutions Integration department of its sister company Toyota Material Handling Germany, has developed a future-proof automated system that is intended to make the company more independent and even more efficient due to the reduced personnel requirements and the optimized repacking process.
The Fressnapf Group now has over 2100 Fressnapf and Maxi Zoo stores in 14 countries (Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Romania, France, Hungary, Poland, Luxembourg, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, Italy and Croatia), making it the largest specialist retail chain for pet food and accessories in Europe.
E-commerce orders in the pet food and pet supplies segment are now to be processed even more efficiently. The product range comprises a very extensive assortment of small and large items, the order processing of which needs to be automated effectively. Goods are received in a narrow-aisle pallet racking system. From there, pallets are moved to the large and small parts picking areas.
Photo: Vanderlande
At the heart of the automated picking of small parts is an AutoStore system, which has been supplemented by a Vanderlande system solution for the combined handling of large and small parts.
Through the clever combination of Vanderlande conveyor technology and the integration of a highly dynamic Quickstore HDS shuttle system, a novel automated consolidation process of large and small parts is realized, as has previously only been solved manually in similar systems.
The system solution is based on strict process separation. Different product groups have separate packing areas and automatic sealing lines with volume reduction and labeling. All cartons are automatically erected and routed to the appropriate area via conveyor technology. The core element is the proven DOT.M conveyor technology from Vanderlande. An energy-efficient, high-performance positioner is used for both package distribution to the sealing lines and in the outbound area.
According to Vanderlande, they will also supply a WMS based on SAP EWM. The introduction of SAP EWM is the final component in what will then be a consistently integrated SAP architecture, from master data management to material flow control.
