Fenwick-Linde, the French subsidiary of Linde Material Handling, announced its partnership with the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, for the deployment of automated logistics solutions on the Jean-Luc Lagardère site in Toulouse, where the aircrafts of the A320 family are assembled.
Fenwick-Linde, with the support of its regional dealer Bastide Manutention, has commissioned a range of robotic solutions designed to help optimize the efficiency and safety of Airbus’ logistics processes. These innovations include R-MATIC trucks, retractable-mast autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), for a more reliable material flow management and improved working conditions.
“Our solutions help Airbus increase performance in their operations”, emphasized Jérôme Garnier, Sales and Marketing Director of Fenwick-Linde. “Our close cooperation with Airbus demonstrates our commitment to providing innovative, high-quality systems to meet the needs of our most demanding customers”. These solutions can adapt to various environments and meet the challenges of all types of companies, from SMEs to large corporations. According to Garnier: “Thanks to the dedication of our teams, we are able to offer our customers a comprehensive pre-sales approach and a unique range of services”.
Significant progress towards Industry 4.0
The integration of Fenwick-Linde’s automated systems contributes to the modernization of Airbus’ new assembly line for the A320 family in Toulouse. R-MATICs help provide better supply chain management, in particular through precise delivery of parts to operators on the assembly line. This just-in-time supply helps to avoid production downtime and improve overall operational efficiency.
AGVs also handle the supply and evacuation of ‘aircraft side’ assembly workstations and the autonomous replenishment of stocks, thereby reducing repetitive manual tasks and enabling employees to focus on higher added value activities. This automated management of stocks and deliveries up to a height of 8 metres significantly increases productivity on site, while further improving ergonomics and employee safety.
Optimization of production cycles
By streamlining flows and reducing waiting times, Fenwick-Linde‘s solutions help to shorten production cycle times. Automating logistics processes also results in improved operational profitability through reduced inventory management and handling costs. Fenwick-Linde’s automated solutions make for more efficient use of resources.
Gradual deployment
This ambitious project is being rolled out in several phases over more than a year, depending on the opening of each station deployed by Airbus. It got off to a successful start with the inauguration of the new A320 family assembly line, a symbolic moment in Toulouse. “Fenwick-Linde’s teams are on hand to support and respond to Airbus’ needs at every stage in this strategic project, from solution design to commissioning and any programming adjustments required. Today, our solution is making an active contribution to the site’s production, and we’re proud of that”, explained Jérémy Chaput, who is in charge of deploying this intralogistics project for Fenwick-Linde.
