Hardinge Kellenberger's requirements weren't simple: save space, increase efficiency, improve ergonomics, and digitize processes! No sooner said than done: SSI Schäfer supplied the Swiss company with six storage lifts and reduced the required space by 35%.
Within the Hardinge Group, a leading international provider of innovative solutions for metal cutting, Hardinge Kellenberger, headquartered in Goldach, has established itself as a pioneer in the manufacture of precision grinding machines since its founding in 1917. To ensure continued profitability in a high-cost location like Switzerland, the company decided in 2021 to take a decisive step towards digitalization and modern warehouse logistics with optimized space utilization, consolidating four production sites into a newly constructed plant in Goldach. The move, which took place while operations continued uninterrupted, was completed in July 2023.
Storage lifts play a key role at the new site. These lifts were implemented using WAMAS software to digitize processes and optimize material flow for assembly supply. The additional installation of cantilever and pallet racking (PR 600) created further compact storage space for pallets and long goods.
Before moving into the new warehouse in Goldach, assembly staff spent too much time searching for items at various locations and across multiple floors. This was compounded by errors, such as discrepancies between the number of items in stock and the ERP system. Inventory management was also becoming increasingly time-consuming and inefficient. With the small parts storage of approximately 8,000 different components now consolidated in the vertical lifts, rapid material availability is guaranteed in the future.
The SSI Logimat vertical storage system is considered a high-quality solution for storing small parts compactly on a small footprint, utilizing building height while still ensuring quick access. The product range required for assembly at Hardinge Kellenberger is particularly well-suited for storage in a vertical storage system due to its high degree of customer-specific parts and variations. These components differ significantly in size and weight and are often highly precise and sensitive, requiring particularly clean and protected storage and handling.
Photos: SSI Schäfer
The six storage lifts are operated by an average of three employees. In addition to the intuitive touchscreen interface, two features ensure particularly efficient and transparent order picking: a laser pointer marks the product to be picked, making incorrect picking virtually impossible. The entire process is confirmed by a continuous light barrier beneath the operating opening. Ergonomics have been further improved with "Logitilt" Besides the individually adjustable picking height, the trays in the picking area can also be tilted by up to 30° to facilitate the removal of parts from the rear of the trays. These features are complemented by safety functions such as weight and height monitoring.
Seamless integration
Also worth mentioning is the intelligent distribution of identical items across multiple storage lifts to ensure that access to the required items is guaranteed in the event of maintenance or even a storage lift failure.
The WAMAS Lift & Store software controls the storage lifts. It was easily integrated with the existing ERP system and combines master data, order, and inventory management in a single software package. The integration is real-time, and the direct connection and communication with the ERP system allows inventory management, material planning, and booking to be carried out in one central location. This provides optimal management, including inventory and reporting functions. The entire process is paperless.
Hardinge Kellenberger had set himself the goal of completing the relocation while maintaining operations without any production downtime. This placed high demands not only on project management but also on the reliability of the contracted companies. SSI Schäfer was able to adhere precisely to the required timeframe – thanks to flexible and cooperative collaboration.
From the start of assembly to handover, including software training, only six weeks passed. Rico Bonaconsa, Director of Order Fulfillment Process at Hardinge Kellenberger, explains: “We worked hand in hand and coordinated closely to ensure that the move could be carried out during the construction phase while operations continued and within a short timeframe. For example, employees were trained on the SSI Schäfer storage lifts, and simultaneously, the shelves were already being stocked in the background.”
Future-proof warehouse logistics
CEO Viktor Gaspar: “We have achieved a significant improvement in production processes and more efficient supply to our production lines. As a result, we are already seeing considerable increases in capacity and efficiency. Currently, the storage lifts are approximately 60% full. Through ongoing optimization, we expect an efficiency increase of up to 20% in the coming months.”
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