SIG inaugurates “state-of-the-art” filling machine parts warehouse for “diversifying” F&B sector

05 Jun 2020 --- SIG has inaugurated a new fully automated, “state-of-the-art” AutoStore spare parts warehouse for SIG filling machines. Located at the company’s machine assembly site in Linnich, Germany, the now operational warehouse ensures that its customers receive highly efficient supplies. As food and beverage products continue to diversify, the company regards production schedules running smoothly at maximum capacity without downtime as “essential.”

“The new AutoStore system makes it possible to take customer demand from the warehouse more flexible and quicker – even in small quantities at short notice. The product range of customers is much more diversified,” Franz-Josef Mines, Global Assembly & Supply Chain Management Director at SIG, tells PackagingInsights.

“This means that different equipment is used to cover these product ranges – this also means that different spare parts have to be used and supplied. For SIG, it is essential to ensure fast delivery. Process optimization and technological improvements are becoming important levers,” he continues.

Full automation advantages
The new warehouse uses a modular system, where stockable box containers are loaded, stored and then unloaded by robots, guided by routing software. The system comprises the storage, warehousing and order picking processes for all items that can be stored in containers.

“The SIG AutoStore warehouse offers the greatest possible flexibility to optimally meet customer needs, which have changed significantly in recent years. The new AutoStore system leads to a significant reduction in picking times compared to the previous system, in which the goods were removed manually – and thus also a significantly faster delivery to the customer,” Mines adds.

Vertically performed storage processes and retrieval prevents unwanted material removal and ensures effective 24-hour operation. The robots are “extremely energy efficient,” the company notes, with a consumption of just 0.1 kW/h, saving energy by more than 90 percent compared to more conventional solutions.

“With our new, fully automated warehouse system, SIG is well positioned for the future and is able to deliver spare parts quickly and efficiently. We’ve significantly reduced picking times compared to our previous system and can meet any customer order requirements at short notice, no matter how small,” says Mines.

SIG’s AutoStore warehouse puts customers and their production targets as priority. The smooth running of equipment means maximum production capability and timely product delivery to retailers. Both are vitally important for future growth, profitability and competitive advantage.

How spare parts fare during COVID-19
When talking about “spare parts” in this context, Mines refers to replacement components for SIG filling machines that wear out and need to be replaced from time to time. He further notes that SIG has not seen any additional increased demand for speed in delivery caused by COVID-19.

“Germany is our global spare parts hub for all fillers operating and currently we are able to supply spare parts as normal. In addition to our global spare-part hub in Linnich, Germany, we also have spare parts available in other regional warehouses like China. Most of our customers have spare parts stock on site to mitigate any risk.”

SIG is also witnessing reduced air freight capacity, especially to some regions in the world. “But we are working hard with our supply-chain-experts to find the best solutions, such as switching carriers or freight-types,” Mines concludes.

To keep readers informed of these rapid developments, PackagingInsights is updating its daily news feed for the coronavirus-related information and insights you need to guide your business through this challenging period.

By Anni Schleicher and Kristiana Lalou

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