Platform for the food and beverage industry
Flat Pack Picking is a unique, automated, turn-key system solution from a single source. The concept, developed by SSI SCHAEFER in cooperation with Inter IKEA Intralogistics, IKEA Purchasing Services GmbH, has been successfully tested in Germany and is now nominated for the IFOY Award 2022 (International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year Award).
The unique automated turn-key system solution was developed for the safe, efficient and optimal palletization - typical of the furniture sector - of heavy and bulky items. The order picking module with gantry robots has a high expansion capacity and facilitates efficient handling of a wide variety of items, relieving employees of non-ergonomic tasks.
"The development of the Flat Pack Picking solution developed specifically for the furniture industry is an example of how we at SSI SCHAEFER are constantly innovating to support companies in different market sectors. We strive to address this type of market issue, increase efficiency and at the same time improve working conditions for warehouse workers," said Notker Steigerwald, Head of the Logistics Solutions Business Unit at SSI SCHÄFER.
"Innovation for greater efficiency, accuracy and sustainability is at the heart of our mission at IKEA Intralogistics. The development and successful implementation of the Flat Pack Picking solution in Dortmund is a good example of how technology can support these ambitions, for example by enabling a shift from manual to more value-added tasks for our employees," said Julien Weiß, Automation & Design Leader, Inter IKEA Intralogistics at IKEA Purchasing Services GmbH.
The concept has been nominated for the IFOY Award 2022 and will undergo the IFOY audit, during the IFOY Test Days March 18-23, 2022, in three stages.
The solution is at the forefront of technology, and IKEA is the first furniture retailer to automate the picking of large products in the customer distribution area. By installing the Flat Pack Picking solution, it will be possible to create an even more ergonomic working environment for employees and increase the overall productivity of the customer distribution department.
Four robots that are automatically stocked collect orders for customer distribution. The solution serves as a pre-pick function to bring heavy products to employees. One of the biggest advantages is the modularity of the system. This allows for easy implementation. It is a combination of proven industrial solutions in the market, adapted to IKEA's needs.
