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Innovative LIFO Storage System Transforms Deep-Freeze Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

In a commercial relationship that combines both innovation and efficiency, AR Racking has successfully completed its latest collaboration project with Nordfrost GmbH & Co.KG to optimise refrigeration logistics processes. This strategic partnership reflects the growing need for advanced storage solutions that can handle the unique challenges of cold chain logistics, particularly in the demanding environment of deep-freeze storage.

“This project is a test of the ability of our solutions to meet the specific requirements of deep-freeze logistics,” said Kai Thiemann, Key Account Manager for AR Racking Northern Germany. “We are delighted to have been able to generate operational improvements for our customer with the successful implementation of the LIFO AR Live Storage system. This project demonstrates how we can adapt our systems to the specific needs of our customers, ensuring maximum efficiency and streamlined operations.”

The project was rolled out in two phases. In the first phase, the system was installed across an area of 840 m², allowing Nordfrost to use the system immediately in a partial area, which helped them start storing goods without delay. The early start was crucial for ensuring minimal disruption to their ongoing operations. Following the success of this initial phase, a second phase was implemented, covering an additional 630 m². This marked a further step in the modernisation of the storage system, enabling Nordfrost to enhance its overall logistics efficiency.

The successfully implemented project complies with stringent cold storage standards and demonstrates the flexibility, robustness, and high performance of the AR Live Storage LIFO system, specifically tailored for deep-freeze conditions where maintaining product quality is paramount. The adaptability of the solution shows AR Racking’s capacity to meet industry-specific requirements, offering clients like Nordfrost a competitive edge in their operational processes.

Oliver Kellner, director of the Nordfrost subsidiary in Hann. Münden, added, “The new push-back system complements our logistics processes at the plant and allows for better use of existing storage capacity. It has enabled us to optimize how we manage and move our stock, particularly in terms of handling perishable items in a timely and efficient manner.”

This collaboration not only highlights the operational benefits of advanced storage systems but also serves as a model for future cold storage projects where efficiency, flexibility, and compliance with strict standards are critical for success. The project underscores how modern logistical solutions can transform operational capabilities in industries with demanding storage conditions like deep-freeze logistics.

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No Warehouse Left Behind

Posted on by David Priestman

Re-brands are sensitive and critical operations and the warehouse automation sector is no exception. David Priestman attended the launch of Movu Robotics in Belgium, late September.
“Automate, in a easy way, the distribution centres of our customers. Democratise automation.” This is the mission statement espoused by Jos de Vuyst, CEO of stow Group, at the launch of Movu Robotics, formerly known as stow Robotics. With a large existing client base for its racking, storage, silo and rack clad products stow Group is well-positioned to sell and integrate robotics and automation technology. It can scale-up fast.

The company wants to help these facilities transition to automated operations, thereby not leaving any warehouse behind in the darkening warehouses of the future. “Plug and play, dense, low-energy usage systems with fast deployment,” is the offering, according to de Vuyst. Automation provides a productivity boost and is scalable, with no need for new warehouse infrastructure.

The rationale for a new brand name – Movu – is because the ‘stow’ name is perhaps too associated with rack and storage – traditional materials handling. Disconnecting from this and switching to a ‘catchy’ new brand fits the mission statement. Employing more than 300 employees by the end of this year across Europe and the US, Movu Robotics expects order intake of more than €300 million in 2023.

The Movu Robotics portfolio comprises automated storage, picking and transport for pallets, bins and items, offering an easy buying journey, competitive pricing, cost savings, quick delivery, high density storage and space optimisation. The portfolio allows end customers and integrators globally to benefit from a seamless and user-friendly warehouse automation ecosystem.

The portfolio includes:
• ‘Movu atlas’ – Pallet shuttle for multiple deep storage
• ‘Movu ifollow’ – slimline AMR for collaborative picking or transport of pallets, made near Paris. A unique selling point of ifollow is that it works in deep freeze areas of a warehouse.
• ‘Movu escala’ – Robotised 3D storage and fulfilment system without lifts
• ‘Movu eligo’ – Integrated picking robot arm
All Movu systems are controlled and managed via their own warehouse execution software (WES).

The impressive, iconic headquarters in Lokeren, situated between Antwerp and Ghent, combines modern offices with manufacturing operations for atlas and escala robots (500 per week) under a single roof. There is also an experience centre – one of the biggest in Europe – where the latest technologies are showcased live to customers and partners. One factor in choosing its location is the desire to partner with local Universities to recruit young engineers.

I asked de Vuyst to describe the journey taken by stow Group leading to the launch of Movu Robotics:
“Since 1987 stow Group has grown rapidly into a €1 billion global company that today ranks among the top two racking manufacturers in the world. Originally a family-owned company, then owned by Kardex for a decade, a management buyout in 2013 was backed by private equity funding. The racking business of stow stands out in the sector by having a production footprint spanning Europe with 10 racking factories and a network of 20 sales companies giving direct access to, and close contact with, the customer. Our racking solutions are customised around standard products, enabling us to have highly automated factories. This results in stow being a cost leader as well as fast growing and very profitable.

“stow Robotics was born the day we started writing Warehouse Control Software (WCS). We are now developing our own WES suite and control software on the machines, which we build ourselves. We will not develop our own WMS as it is too complex. We are evolving into a supplier that can provide an automated pallet warehouse, from a small scale operation up to large projects. The investment climate is softening a bit, big investment decisions are taking a bit longer, due to high interest rates.”

Will we see ‘Dark Warehouses’ (without workers)?

“I’m a big fan in principle. The ideal is racks and robotics, but you must go high. Labour is disruptive, people often hate working in warehouses. Forklift usage is falling, as will conveyor coverage and manual picking. We have the products to achieve a dark warehouse via four or five main technologies.”

How is Movu Robotics positioned in the market?

“We expect double-digit growth. The global material handling equipment market size is forecasted to reach $350 billion by 2030, driven by AS/RS systems and robotics. By our Movu Robotics positioning and portfolio we are very confident of becoming an essential player in this market. Movu Robotics will follow the same development path as stow Racking, so we will build a network of sales companies in the main territories allowing us both channels to the market: direct and through integrators – not just to new customers, like competitors do.

“Where many companies are built around one automation product, we have an integrated ecosystem of scalable, automated warehouse solutions for pallets and bins. That’s quite rare, and the portfolio will continue to grow. We will take a deep dive into some vertical markets and develop specific automation products for particular sectors. One trend is third party logistics operators beginning to automate. We’re strong in cold stores, pharmaceuticals and food logistics.

“We want to offer the possibility of automation to SMEs that have a few thousand pallet locations. While bigger projects are generally more complex, a straight forward pallet project of, for example, 80,000 pallet locations requiring 60 shuttles has a low complexity and fits our profile. If, however, that same warehouse had sorters, a mix of complex software and machines we don’t have in our portfolio, then we’d defer to a systems integrator.” Movu does not offer robots-as-a-service as the company offers a broad range or solution.

Supermarket of Materials Handling

How do the business units in stow Group benefit from each other?

“stow Racking and Movu Robotics together are a unique one-stop-shop with proven interfaces that combines best of racking and robotics. Sales is another of the most important synergies between stow Racking and Movu Robotics, with many leads for automation coming via the racking side, which has 10,000 customers across Europe and US. Many of these customers take the decision at some point to automate their operations. stow Racking has more than 200 sales people globally, which also bring leads for robotics and automation products.

“Movu Robotics benefits from having the strength of stow Group behind it, with all of its management experience and expertise. Another important factor is the backing of Blackstone, a private equity company with a vast experience in logistic real estate, who are very supportive. Also, stow Racking activity successfully generates cash, fuelling growth in Movu Robotics without the need for continual equity rounds.”

How does the company’s culture drive development?

“While stow Group has become a large organisation, with a well organised corporate structure, it still has the dynamics of an SME company. We have direct contact with our people through a relatively flat management structure, which gives an agility and dynamism that is popular with our customers. This allows us to attract talent to support our know-how in engineering, software and other departments. Joining Movu Robotics is more akin to working in a start-up than a corporate environment. While enjoying an agile environment, staff also gain the support of being in a solid company.”

Where do you see the stow Group and Movu Robotics in five years?

“stow Group will continue to grow the racking business, we will definitely not lose interest in the racking business. Racking is an essential and profitable part of the Group, so it is important that it continues to grow. Having established stow as a racking market leader in Europe, with approx. 30% market share, we started to build the US business over the past 18 months, where there is huge potential. We have created a sales office in Chicago and have just taken the decision to build our first racking plant in the US – the location is not yet fixed. With strong sales in this market, it no longer makes practical sense to ship containers of racking across the Atlantic. We’re not excluding the Asian market later on in the future, just not now.

“Of course, we will continue to grow Movu Robotics. While entering the market with systems that are easier, standardised, scalable, and flexible, in the next five years we will be tackling more complicated projects. I think in five years’ time, Movu Robotics’ activity will be equivalent to, or even exceed, that of stow Racking, creating two very strong legs for the stow Group.”

What about further acquisitions and new products?

“Coming from a manufacturing background, doing things ourselves is in our DNA. We will develop our own technologies as much as possible, only seeking partnerships when we don’t have the time to develop them ourselves. For example, it makes no sense to start developing vision technology on our own. In such cases we will partner with an appropriate supplier or licence it in. AMRs with forks or for bins and gripping technology are interesting. The sales side is different because we want to grow as fast as possible and whilst we are developing our own sales network are open to work together if we find a good partners for specific regions.”

Italian Alliance for Intralogistics Automation

Posted on by David Priestman

A division of Ambrosi S.r.l., ONO Lean Logistics has partnered with the METALSISTEM Group. ONO Logistics was established to design and develop Scalable Automated Warehouse Systems. These solutions mesh perfectly with METALSISTEM’s wide range of pallet racking, shelving and shopfitting systems as well as its automation and material handling solutions. The capital investment of the METALSISTEM Group into Ambrosi S.r.l. will form an alliance that will further expand the scope of the METALSISTEM product range into the field of intralogistics.

Advancements in process automation has brought about an unprecedented evolution in the way industry approaches the management of goods: the union of ONO Lean Logistics and METALSISTEM provides a response to this trend by advancing the market penetration on both companies within the field of intralogistics. ONO Lean Logistics, founded in 2016, has been steadily growing by strengthening its hardware and software presence with installations successfully completed for top tier companies in various sectors. The ONO Scalable Automated Warehouse System has effectively pioneered a new market segment by providing an intelligent and efficient solution applicable within both logistical and production settings.

With its main production facilities and Headquarters based in Rovereto (TN) – Italy, the METALSISTEM Group is made up of a diverse network of companies of which ONO Lean Logistics, through Ambrosi Srl, are proud to be a part of. The unmatched production capacity and extensive sales network place METALSISTEM among the global leaders of the Material Handling sector.

METALSISTEM has partnered with Ambrosi S.r.l. to strengthen its influence within the material handling sector by offering an innovative solution with a strong focus on the development of advanced technologies, including automated modular warehouse systems as well as dedicated software.

The collaboration between ONO Lean Logistics and METALSISTEM was officially announced in July 2023 following a long consultation period during which the convergence of visions and objectives was confirmed. “The alliance between these two companies, one a consolidated market leader, the other rapidly ascending, reflects a vision of innovation powered by young talent, ready to explore and recast an entirely new sector,” says Thomas AMBROSI, CEO of Ambrosi S.r.l. “With ONO Lean Logistics, we have created a new market segment for production processes and intralogistics. This collaboration will undoubtably open new doors and METALSISTEM’s technological contribution will further enhance the approach to our product in every aspect by leveraging the synergies that exist between our respective research and development departments”.

Mirco BRIOSI, General Manager of METALSISTEM S.p.A., added: “The union of these companies creates an opportunity to expand automated projects, with a foothold in modular systems for intralogistics and moving, with enthusiasm, towards future developments in integrated automation. Furthermore, we cannot underestimate the contribution of software towards this objective, as this is a key entry point into the global market. When faced with a challenge, in the material handling sector, there are always multiple solutions capable of providing an adequate response, although none of them may be optimal, all may be improved upon. Through our combined strengths, METALSISTEM sees an opportunity to offer the market a highly innovative product which is unparalleled in this
sector. It will integrate by leveraging diverse solutions within the same system thus bringing together the strengths of multiple technologies. In addition, the flexible and modular nature of the ONO Lean Logistics products have proven to be perfectly compatible with the METALSISTEM philosophy that has been applied to its product for over 50 years and which, like a ‘Lego set’, is encapsulated in its slogan ‘Customised Modularity’.”

The alliance between ONO Lean Logistics and METALSISTEM promises to bring simplification, efficiency, and continuous innovation to the intralogistics sector with a particular focus on sustainability. This partnership will significantly contribute to the growth and development of advanced solutions for this evolving market.

New US Tech Campus for stow

Posted on by David Priestman

Stow’s new tech campus location, opening in early April of 2023, will be the new base of operations for both stow US, Inc. and the stow Group’s North American automation business unit, stow Robotics US. With ground-breaking technology and warehouse automation solutions from the robotics group, the innovative campus will be a technology and experience centre along with offices for solution sales, engineering and design, project management, aftermarket sales, and service & support. With the new facility, stow Group brings together all qualitative, industrial racking systems with its warehouse automation solutions such as the stow Atlas® 1D and 2D Automated Pallet Shuttle, stow Mobile®, stow e.scala® 3D Robotic Bin Storage Order Fulfilment Solution, and the iFollow AMR for picking and in-house transport in warehouses and distribution centres. Now with this unique combination of products, stow Group provides an all-round solution with innovative technology sets that are:

EFFICIENT: reaching any SKU, on any level, within a highly utilized warehouse cubic space
INTEGRATED: with the ability to be seamlessly linked together (stow Atlas® 2D, e.scala®, iFollow) to manage a complete warehouse
QUICKLY DEPLOYED: leveraging global resources and strategies to deliver solutions faster than the industry average
SCALABLE: As business operations expand, we can easily add storage locations, shuttles, and AMRs to accommodate this dynamic need
COST EFFECTIVE: providing a near ‘out-of-the-box’ solution for customers and integrators

The brand new North American technology and experience centre in Romeoville will give the stow Group a unique opportunity to showcase our newest automation solutions to our customers. This is the next step in the fast build-up of our activities on the North American market. We are thrilled to see the first big stow Atlas® 2D installations being installed on the market, and are very confident about our future on the North American market.

Jos De Vuyst, CEO of stow Group, said, “stow Group is quickly emerging as a leading warehouse racking and automation provider and is growing at an astonishing rate, both in Europe and the US.

“Our employees continue to be our greatest assets. We’re excited to give them the tools and resources they need to be successful by investing in state-of-the-art facilities like our new Romeoville campus,” added Nathan Richter, Managing Director of stow Group USA. “In addition, the new technology centre will allow our customers to get a first-hand experience with the automation and how it will fit their product/application. We understand that uptime is critical to a customer’s success; to that end, we have planned to inventory spare parts, AMRs, and robot shuttles to increase our service and support offerings domestically as well as improve response times and recoverability. Service and maintenance training for our customers will also be offered to ease the transition into automation.”

More in Cold Store with Combi-WR

Posted on by David Priestman

Warehouse space does not come cheap, but for frozen and chilled products companies, the cold store costs per m² are even higher compared to ambient facilities. Maximising capacity should therefore be a priority in the existing footprint as well as in new builds, and this is exactly what Jordan International Transport set out to do with the design of its new purpose built storage facility in Moy, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. From here the company transports frozen and chilled fish and seafood to all of Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe on a daily basis.

Growth was a major driver for the decision to build the warehouse and switch to a new system, which aimed to maximise space and achieve greater output. In the initial planning stages, Storage and Distribution Manager Barry McIlvanna spoke to materials handling specialist Combilift as well as a racking supplier to identify the most suitable equipment. A combination of automated racking and a Combi-WR pedestrian stacker has enabled substantially more pallets to be stored in a smaller area.

A further consideration was to improve the ratio of stored products and the amount of space needed to access them, as Barry explains: “The freezer system has to work just as hard to cool the relatively unproductive areas set aside for access. With standard racking and conventional forklifts such as the counterbalance and pallet trucks we were previously using, only about half of the space could be used for storage. With the new system, this has risen to 85% so our freezer circuit can operate much more efficiently and therefore more cost effectively.”

In common with all of Combilift’s pedestrian trucks, the Combi-WR features the unique, patented and award winning multi-position tiller arm which enables the operator to remain at the side of the unit rather than the rear. “The operator’s position with this pedestrian version allows a greater level of control over the products when moving them around and as you have full visibility of the loads, the forks and the surroundings it’s safer for operators and other staff nearby, particularly when working in our narrow aisles and tight spaces,” said Barry.

Pedestrian stacker and automated racking maximise space

As well as enabling an almost doubling of pallet density, the performance of the electric powered stacker, even in the demanding cold store environment, has been exemplary according to Barry. “It’s perfect for our set up. Working at -18 degrees over a few hours it never misses a beat. We were initially concerned whether a truck could work equally effectively in such cold temperatures compared to normal conditions, but the team at Combilift had all the right specifications and solutions.”

Barry sums up: “Quick accessibility to products, adhering to deadlines and guaranteeing a high level of service have kept us at the top of our game for over 25 years. We believe being the best means using the best equipment available – and that’s what we have with the Combi-WR. I am sure that any future growth will involve more of Combilift’s products.”

Spare Parts Warehouse Stores 10,000 Tyres

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A spare parts warehouse in Lugo, Spain of Recambios FRAIN, a leader in the parts sector for all types of vehicles, has the capacity to store more than 10,000 tyres thanks to the storage systems installed by AR Racking.

The warehouse has, on the one hand, adjustable pallet racking in which not only larger volume tyres are stored stacked on pallets, but also other types of products and accessories marketed by Recambios Frain; and, on the other, Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) pallet racking, where the tyres are stored directly on the structure itself. Overall, more than 10,000 tyres of varying height and width. The racking has been fitted in such a way that it allows both pallet and picking operations.

The combination of both systems provides the customer versatility and adaptability to the different volumes, direct access to the goods as both are selective systems and high-density storage thanks to the reduced width of the aisles with the incorporation of VNA racking. The project was completed in just 30 days from initial contact to the delivery and final assembly of the storage systems.

Recambios Frain started operating in 1992 and has not stopped growing since, thanks to the extensive range of products that it offers the market. According to Francisco Dorado, assistant general manager at the company, “with this 7,000 m2 warehouse we were looking to improve the organisation and handling agility and increase the number of units of some of our 500,000 references”. With a workforce of over 140 employees, Recambios Frain offers technical management services, diagnosis, rental space, industrial supply and B2B e-commerce.

“AR Racking’s adjustable pallet racking systems are solutions that can be adapted to all types of products, spaces and operations. They are also easily combinable and adaptable to changing needs”, explained Ricardo García, AR Racking Sales Representative.

About AR Racking:

AR Racking is part of the Arania Group, an industrial group of companies with extensive experience and scope, and with a multi-sectoral activity based on the transformation of steel that dates back more than 80 years. AR Racking provides the market with a wide range of solutions with high certified quality standards and a comprehensive project management service. AR Racking’s industrial storage systems stand out for their innovation, reliability and optimum efficiency.

All-Round Racking Strength

Posted on by David Priestman

Instead of becoming sucked into a race to supply racking at the cheapest price in the quickest time, Bito focuses on bespoke projects that attract long-term customers.

Today’s industrial racking game is a relentless race to the bottom. Bito consciously decided not to operate in this space. Instead, it takes a more consultative approach with its customers to ensure their warehousing operations run safely and smoothly.“ We’re not particularly interested in kitting out mega sheds with racking,” says Edward Hutchison, UK MD of Bito Storage Systems. “We prefer to leave that to the manufacturers who like to deal in those volumes. We are good at convincing the customer to stay where they are for another five years by giving them a better solution as to how to utilise their space or order picking.”

Operating from a well-equipped facility in Nuneaton boasting a million-pound stockholding, Bito made the conscious decision to “cut out the middle man” and sell direct, rather than through a third party reseller. “By talking directly to a customer, you can look at the shape and size of their business, ask questions, and find out what they need rather than what they think they need. We can then offer other solutions, which we couldn’t do through a third party.”

People business

One of the core tenets Hutchison believes is behind his company’s success is the investment it makes in its people. When a prospective member of Bito’s sales team joins the business, they are offered the opportunity to gain skills such as drawing, estimating, and the capability required to put together an offer. “We employ people who are in control, have the right skills, and are given responsibility. Our guys know what the costs are from the bottom up. We understand the need to retain good quality people, so if you buy from Bito today, you would expect to deal with that person in five years’ time when it comes to extending the system. The core of the company is very strong.”

Racking in stock

Bito’s UK offering is split into three: small orders, solutions, and key accounts. Before the digital era, it grew its business through a comprehensive small orders catalogue. Today, that investment manifests itself in the shape of a strong online business for small orders. With fresh stock arriving from Germany three times a week, and visibility of delivery movements thanks to high-quality freight partners Bito is well-placed to meet the demanding delivery expectations of UK buyers.

A regionally-based solutions team takes care of the small and medium projects, typically up to £1m. Then there’s the key accounts team which looks after large and multi-site projects. “These three elements have given us quite a diverse business,” says Hutchison, “but we’re not overly reliant upon any one particular sales channel. The ideal is that all three cylinders are firing.”

Bito’s reputation has grown through its ability to offer sophisticated turnkey projects. Hutchison explains: “We like to sell a turnkey solution and whilst there’s always going to be some pallet racking in there, it’s the dynamics, it’s the small parts, it’s the order picking, the carton live, the containers, and then putting it all together, which we can then sell with a return on investment.

“One of the benefits that we have as a business is that we can take on unusual projects; we can design something that involves a lot of specialist equipment, even to the point where we have it fabricated to give the customer a precise solution. At Amazon, for example, at their peak picking times they double their workforce and they need additional picking stations. They’re on wheels and they literally bring them in, roll them out and that’s where you do your picking. When Amazon come to us, we have the space to prototype it and trial it with them. And now we spread those out all over the Amazon units throughout Europe.”

Bito has been shrewd not to treat racking as a commodity, and its business is thriving as a result.

“Perfect” storage and handling solution for Furniturebox

Posted on by David Priestman

Furniturebox, established in the UK by Monty George and Dan Beckles in 2015 at the age of 17, operated from its old warehouse at Mere in Wiltshire until September, when it opened a new facility in Chippenham. In recent years, Furniturebox has seen a rise in ecommerce, indirect sales, and 3PL opportunities, resulting in the need to expand into its new warehouse.

Furniturebox is a growing online furniture store dedicated to selling beautiful, quality, and affordable products, and providing exceptional customer service. Furniturebox says it prides itself on forming outstanding customer experience, a factor it believes is responsible for the company’s fast growth. This has already been a life-changing year for the company, as the founders made the Forbes “30 Under 30 2022” list for retail and ecommerce entrepreneurs in Europe.

SSI Schaefer, one of the world’s leading providers of storage systems with multiple manufacturing sites across the world, was able to offer what is described as the perfect solution for Furniturebox. The new logistics centre’s layout hosts a five-level pallet pick tower and a combination of VNA (very narrow aisles) and wide aisles racking systems to ensure maximum efficiency and immediate selectivity. Furniturebox had a clear vision of the solution it wanted for its new 7,700 sq m facility from the start. The new system provides the retailer with 5,700 pallet locations, meeting its current needs and space for future growth.

Furniturebox sought forklift supplier

To add up to its warehouse’s efficiency and to complement the thought-through racking layout, Furniturebox sought a new forklift truck provider. SSI Schaefer introduced UniCarriers as its potential partner for this type of equipment. UniCarriers, a growing industry specialist, says it uses a customer-centric and consultative approach when selecting the best solutions for each request.

It offered Furniturebox a range of high-quality, innovative warehouse equipment and IC/electric counterbalance forklifts which, in conjunction with the racking solutions, will ensure improved safety, minimise the unnecessary costs, provide transparency, and optimise its warehouse operations. UniCarriers’ professional and individual approach supported Furniturebox’s strategy and vision, providing it with equipment and solutions to support its everyday needs.

Pete Butcher, Regional Sales Manager at UniCarriers UK, describes the procedure: “Following on from several customer visits, demonstrating how UniCarriers VNA equipment performed in limited space, we provided Furniturebox with several solutions to retain their capacity but to give them back immediate selectivity.”

Range of equipment

As a result, the customer selected a range of equipment to be delivered to its new location, together with a supportive full-service preventative maintenance contract, providing the highest level of tailored after-sales service.

Furniturebox ordered two EK Man-up Very Narrow Aisle Trucks to serve its full-pallet storage units and order picking in VNA applications. Thanks to a smart design concept and modular construction, the EK Series is suitable for all kinds of VNA applications. Two TERGO UHX Reach Trucks, with a high lifting capacity, will support the employees with full rack heights of 14m during storage and retrieval operations, bringing Furniturebox’s operational efficiency to the highest level.

Furniturebox also needed equipment for heavy lifting handling. For this purpose, UniCarriers offered four PLF Powered Pallet Trucks equipped with dampened folding platforms, and traction, damping and stability (TDS) concept, ensuring excellent truck performance and comfort in all conditions for operators, even when the driving surfaces are wet or uneven.

For Furniturebox, the only way is up, as it continues to grow, having recently expanded to supplying the US market. UniCarriers and SSI Schaefer say they will be there to share its journey, a partnership delivering solutions that offer the best integrated value for its ongoing demands.

Fashion group DK Company gets new racking

Posted on by Keith McKinley

NC Nielsen, AR Racking’s Danish strategic distributor, carried out the design and installation of the new warehouse of the multi-brand fashion group DK Company in Ikast (Denmark) in an extraordinary time of just nine weeks leading the comprehensive management of the project.

DK Company has become one of the main European suppliers of fashion brands for men and women. With a presence in 35 different markets, the Danish company has a new 11,000 sq m operations centre to meet the growth experienced in recent years. Specifically, in 2021 it increased its revenue by 20% compared to the previous year and the forecasts for 2022 are along the same lines.

The storage area, which covers a total surface area of 3,000 sq m, stands out for its versatility and rapid location of the goods. NC Nielsen, considered the high number of references and diversity of the volume of the products to configure a solution with adjustable pallet racking that integrates levels for manual picking operations. In total, 4,000 pallet positions, of which 60% will be for picking.

Top quality racking for DK Company

DK Company communicated to NC Nielsen the urgency to have an agile, easy to configure, secure and adaptable warehouse. “It was a very quick and continuous process: from the first meeting to the first layout, the order and completing the installation in a total of nine weeks,” said Niels Henrik Hagelskjær, DK Company Warehouse Manager.

With more than five decades of experience, NC Nielsen stands out for its reliability, specialised service and high quality standards. “DK Company needed a fast project turnaround time, so having a top quality racking manufacturer and supplier such as AR Racking allowed us to fully focus on the study, design, advisory and planning aspect of the project to offer the customer the best storage solution in the most competitive timeframe possible,” explained Lars Kjærgaard Stenberg, NC Nielsen Project Manager.

Solid and strategic partnership

AR Racking’s commercial presence in more than 60 countries is mainly coordinated and consolidated through its distribution network. In Northern Europe and Scandinavian countries, AR Racking has been competing for years with total reliability and efficiency thanks to strategic partners such as NC Nielsen.

María Cossio, AR Racking Area Manager, explained it as follows: “We offer close support to the distributor, providing them with our specialisation as a manufacturer to effectively fulfil the needs of local companies in storage matters; however, none of this would be possible without having trusted partners such as NC Nielsen.”

 

AR Racking names new EMEA sales director

Posted on by Keith McKinley

José Miguel Sobradillo has been appointed as the new EMEA Sales Director for the pallet racking solutions of industrial storage systems specialist AR Racking. Sobradillo replaces José Manuel Lucio at the head of the EMEA market, who was combining the position with that of Managing Director, a role he will exclusively concentrate on from now on.

The new Sales Director takes on the challenge with determination: “It is a highly motivating challenge trying to consolidate AR Racking’s good positioning in the entire EMEA region. The objective is to turn AR Racking into the leading supplier of storage solutions in all these markets in which we are present. In my new position I will try to contribute to this by focusing on: strategies offered by stand-out projects that increase our customers’ competitiveness, as well as our product knowledge and care.”

Sobradillo knows perfectly the intra-logistics sector and AR Racking’s potential, having spent more than a decade performing sales management roles there. After many years as a sales management leader in the European Anglo-Saxon market, in recent months he has taken on the role of Key Account Manager – Global Accounts, a position focused on customers with large-scale and specific storage projects and which he will continue to combine with the new role.

With University training in industrial engineering, AR Racking’s new EMEA Sales Director has both a professional background in sales and a technical and industrial market profile.

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