Don't forget the pallets when automating the warehouse
Automation of warehouse processes are in focus, but many companies overlook the significant business benefits that can be hidden in automating the pallet warehouse. The need for fewer square meters, better utilization of cubic meters, greater independence from labor shortages, cheaper operations, and higher picking quality are among the benefits.
In recent years, there has been a lot of focus on automating small item warehouses in the form of fully automated carton storage systems of various types. It is now time to also automate the pallet warehouse, which in many cases supplies the carton warehouse with goods.
This is the belief of Gustaf Sandahl and Mads Carlsen from Zolvo, who together have many years of experience in automating end-to-end warehouse processes.
Pallets have a lot of potential
“For the past 5-10 years, we have seen a understandably strong focus on automating carton storage systems for small items, driven by the rapidly growing e-commerce industry. The supply of goods to the carton warehouse is often done manually with forklifts that retrieve items from a manual pallet warehouse,” says Gustaf Sandahl.
Mads Carlsen adds, “This results in expensive operations at the pallet warehouse, where errors are inevitably made. Many companies could achieve significant benefits by investing in, for example, a pallet shuttle system, which could quickly pay for itself.”
Look at the overall flow
This brings the two experienced professionals to one of Zolvo’s core principles: When the warehouse is automated, the entire goods flow in the warehouse should be considered. This does not necessarily mean that everything needs to be automated. In fact, not at all. It simply means that the overall goods flow should function optimally, so that no bottlenecks occur.
Benefits of fully automated 3D pallet shuttle solutions
- High utilization of both m2 and m3 – also in height.
- Higher storage capacity and faster handling.
- Less manual handling and need for labor, which can be difficult to recruit.
- Better working environment.
Higher picking and delivery quality. - Good return on investment.
- Pallet shuttle systems can be adapted to both existing and new buildings.
- Faster implementation than other automated solutions.
“We are independent of manufacturers and specialize in tailoring solutions to the customer’s needs. We typically put together the complete solution with products from several different manufacturers. This is done based on extensive experience and analysis of data from the customer,” says Mads Carlsen.
Gustaf Sandahl adds, “We spend a lot of energy working with the customer to clarify what the customer truly needs and what kind of readiness is required from the customer to implement automation.”
5 steps to success
They point to five crucial factors for the successful installation and operation of a new system:
- Turn on the long light and invest in future and scalable growth.
- Collect thorough data and information that can provide an accurate picture of goods flow and needs, serving as the foundation for both design, installation, and operation.
- Put together a solution that is tailored specifically to your company and needs, not one based on what a particular manufacturer has in their product catalog.
- Find the courage to embrace the uncertainty that a new system will naturally bring.
- Prioritize comprehensive training for employees so they are well-prepared to use the system.
A guide to seamless warehouse automation
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