Sanitairwinkel Automation Increases Warehouse Storage Capacity by 75%
Netherlands: Sanitairwinkel has expanded warehouse automation at its distribution centre in Den Bosch to accommodate growing order volumes, limited storage space and staff shortages. The sanitary ware retailer, which serves customers in the Netherlands, Belgium and France, has implemented an AutoStore system integrated by Syncore with its existing Webstock warehouse management system. The installation accommodates approximately 8,400 different items across more than 9,000 storage bins. The company reported a 75% increase in storage capacity for its parcel assortment and an approximately 60% rise in picking productivity per employee.
The system uses seven robots to retrieve storage bins and deliver them to two workstations, reducing the need for employees to walk through the warehouse to collect products. Each workstation can process approximately 175 order picks per hour, while replenishment capacity is around 125 picks per hour. The system also reduces manual scanning and the risk of picking errors by tracking individual bins and compartments. Sanitairwinkel can expand the installation to 25 robots and five workstations, potentially increasing processing capacity to 725 bins per hour without requiring additional warehouse space. Operations director Sander Hanenbergh said the automation would help the company process orders and make better use of existing warehouse capacity while allowing logistics operations to expand gradually.
Source: Warehouse Total
