SSI Schäfer's Flexi Shuttle System was specifically designed for highly dynamic small parts warehouses. At the Finnish ready-meal manufacturer Kokkikartano, the modular system combines shuttles, lifts, and racking systems for 40,000 container storage locations, resulting in an increase in storage capacity of over 50%.
Translated into English, "Kokki Kartano" means something like "The Chef's House." Applied to the logistics systems in the warehouse, CEO Tommy Snellman the "head chef,".To increase efficiency and process orders even faster in the future, Kokkikartano assessed the status quo of its warehouse processes in 2021 and identified the need for a highly automated material flow solution for its facility in Kerava.
«Chef»: CEO Tommy Snellman
“Due to continuous growth, some of the products no longer fit in Kokkikartano’s old warehouse. Furthermore, the fully manual operation had become too labor-intensive. At that point, we began to jointly design the new, automated logistics center on an area of 3,000 square meters,” explains Lauri Impiö, Sales Manager of SSI Schäfer in Finland.
At the heart of the overall solution is the two-aisle Flexi Shuttle System. The now highly automated material flow raises logistics efficiency to a whole new level. The new solution is seamlessly integrated with production – from the production line, goods are automatically moved to storage, order picking, or direct shipping.
Picking errors minimized
Unlike before, all of the up to 180 products can now be picked from the same system, making them available much faster. A crucial advantage for Tommy Snellman: "Many of our products don't stay in storage after production, but areshipped"A highly efficient process from production to delivery has been implemented here. "The direct connection to the picking zone helps us enormously."
Order picking is supported by pick-by-light: Each storage compartment is equipped with a display including a signal light. When the picking container is at the picking position, the light indicates the correct compartment and the correct quantity of goods to be picked appears on the display.
Tempered environment
The removal of the product is confirmed via a confirmation button. The products then move one floor down to the palletizing area, from where they are shipped. The unique aspect: the entire process takes place in a the high quality maintain
Kokkikartano's CEO sees an additional advantage in the relief it provides for employees: "Ergonomics is another very important point. We want to ensure that employees don't have to perform heavy lifting. With the introduction of this automation system, the full containers are conveyed directly to palletizing without any manual work ." Employees have already been benefiting from this for almost a year and a half. Tommy Snellman adds: "The system has been fully operational for over 18 months and has proven to be reliable and effective."
Maintenance team directly on site
While the initial days presented the usual challenges of a large-scale project, according to Snellman, operations are now running smoothly and consistently. To ensure this continues, SSI Schäfer is supporting the company with a maintenance team directly on-site in Finland. Kokkikartano aims to double its production volume within the next ten years – and the Finnish company is now ideally equipped to achieve this with its scalable logistics solution.
