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E-Commerce Automation: Continuous Expansions Maximize Throughput and Minimize Operating Costs
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
- Automation & Control - Automation & Process Control Systems
- Networks & Connectivity - Wireless Local Area Network
Applicable Industries
- E-Commerce
- Retail
Applicable Functions
- Warehouse & Inventory Management
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Warehouse Automation
- Inventory Management
- Supply Chain Visibility
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
The Challenge
Until 2012, Competec had four different locations where products were stored and picked. The ordered products had to be consolidated in the main distribution center through a cumbersome process. In light of the constantly growing demand, the existing logistics capacities were quickly reaching their limits. Because customers expect all orders received by 5:00 pm to be shipped the same day, Competec needed to centralize and automate their logistics operations to meet this level of service. After comparing different goods-to-person concepts, Competec decided in 2011 to go with the new Click&Pick® solution from Swisslog. AutoStore enabled them to achieve a high storage density, and robot vehicles quickly and efficiently handled the storage and retrieval processes for the items stored in bins. The new, scalable, and highly advanced system enabled Competec to quickly and efficiently process a growing number of small batch sizes.
About The Customer
The Competec Group includes e-commerce companies BRACK.CH AG and Alltron AG and sells more than 80,000 items directly from its warehouse. The range of products covers items from more than 1,000 manufacturers in the areas of IT, electronics, home and garden, family and leisure. Competec Logistik AG is the logistics service provider for the trading companies within the Competec Group. Its headquarters are at the Competec Logistics Center in Willisau, Switzerland. Services include next-business-day delivery for orders placed before 5:00 pm and same-day delivery for orders placed before 9:00 am. The Competec Group, whose corporate headquarters are in Mägenwil, Switzerland, also includes online IT retailer BRACK.CH AG, IT/CE/electronics/telecom distributor Alltron AG, and the central services consolidated under Competec Service AG. The Group employs 483 people and generated approximately 535 million Swiss Francs in sales in 2015. The companies within the Competec Group use shipping practices that are climate-neutral.
The Solution
Competec installed one of the world's largest and most advanced AutoStore systems in its 55,000 m² distribution center in Willisau near Lucerne. The facility went into operation in mid-2015. The AutoStore system enabled Competec to achieve a high storage density, with robot vehicles quickly and efficiently handling the storage and retrieval processes for the items stored in bins. The new, scalable, and highly advanced system allowed Competec to process a growing number of small batch sizes efficiently. Since the company continued to grow even after the new system went into operation, the ability to quickly and flexibly expand the new system was soon put to the test. Just one year after the scalable Click&Pick® solution had been introduced, the transport capacity was expanded to meet the increasing requirements by adding additional robots. The need for expansion again became critical in early 2014, leading to the addition of a second, even larger AutoStore system. The goal of the second AutoStore system was to give the Competec Group ample room to grow. Scalability and expandability were again top priorities. The new system now permits maximum expandability with a reasonable initial investment. Future additions can be completed in just a few weeks, depending on the requirements. Capital costs are incurred at the same time that the associated investment can be used, giving the Competec Group an outstanding cost-benefit ratio.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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