Flexible distribution depot

Theodor Heimeier Metallwerk GmbH is Germany’s leading manufacturer of heater valves and thermostats. Wholesale traders in Germany and the adjacent European markets are supplied from a central base in Erwitte.

The requirements

Through a doubling of turnover and the resultant growth the distribution depot was no longer able to fulfill storage space and technology requirements. viaLog was assigned to establish an optimal storage site on the company premises, to attach a concept plan for the design of a new distribution depot including office areas, and to submit a decision based total investment calculation.

The concept

viaLog developed a proposal on the basis of the planning requirements (intended capacities for storage and production, analysis of the working areas etc.) which, while particularly flexible to the modifications of the order structure and quantities, permits all growth scenarios of production and logistics. It determines:

• Space saving storage of stock in an automated high-bay warehouse (18m high, 6.600 PP)
• Order picking in a separate picking area Pick + pack + check operation
• Efficiency enhancing order picking equipment
• "Goods-to-man" order picking from the high-bay warehouse for slow moving D products
• A fully automated supply of fast moving A products
• Customised IT support (route optimisation, radio data transmission, etc.)

The implementation

After deciding to invest, Heimeier assigned viaLog with the general planning and the overall project management. This included the detailing and realisation of the building and the materials-handling technology as well as the drawing up of the IT requirement specifications.

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