“Roughly 170,000 textile units pass through our warehouse each day. Ensuring we have the necessary capacity for picking, especially during peak hours, was our main reason for deploying AutoStore,” MALFINI Chairman Radek Veselý explains. Robotisation aims to accelerate picking times, improve work efficiency, and alleviate labour-intensive work. The high storage density in AutoStore makes it possible to store up to 20% more textiles in the new zone than in the original rack arrangement. Because best-selling items are automatically placed in the most-accessible locations, picking of goods after an order is received will now be faster. The new technology, covering an area of 2,650 m2, contains 96,400 plastic boxes (bins) and is operated by 65 robots. Conveyors and box forming machines take up a further 640 m2.
Communication between AutoStore and Aimtec DCIx
AutoStore is controlled by Aimtec DCIx system, which sends requests for put-away and picking goods. The system keeps track of the total quantity of each item in stock, regardless of the type of handling unit.. Goods enter the warehouse in boxes and are accepted on the basis of notices before being repackaged into standardised carriers and transported primarily into the AutoStore or the rack/pallet warehouse. From there the goods are used to replenish lift racks based on min/max stock levels. As soon as AutoStore has placed a crate in a target location, it sends a message to Aimtec DCIx for confirmation. Goods are picked on the basis of orders from customers, which the system sorts into individual packing sheets and sends to AutoStore for transport onward.
Aimtec’s Project Delivery Manager Zbyněk Černý describes the solution’s functionality: “Our solution is capable of cross-zone handling, picking from multiple work centres and using various technologies at the same time. It is also integrated with printers – a unique identifier is affixed to each cardboard box during its entry into AutoStore for release. If the AutoStore stocks are exhausted due to the scrap rate or defective goods, the system responds by requesting immediate stock replenishment from the pallet warehouse.”
MALFINI Logistics and Distribution Centre in figures
- 19,300 m2 area
- 300,000 packages in stock
- Warehouse capacity of 25 million textile units
- Up to 170,000 textile units shipped out per day
- AutoStore deployed over a 2,650 m2 space, 10 output and 2 input carousel ports, 65 robots, and 96,400 plastic boxes (bins)
- Conveyors and box forming machines over a 640 m2 area
- 20 Kardex and Vertiflex lift racks
- Pick by Light indication
Based in Ústí nad Labem, MALFINI, a.s. is a leading Central European supplier on the promotional textiles market and a prominent supplier to other countries of Europe. With a range of over 300 products, MALFINI’s B2B business model relies on an e-shop, sufficient warehouse stocks, swift logistics, and flawless customer service. The company operates in 35 countries throughout Europe. For more information, visit www.malfini.com.
