Warehouse automation specialist Swisslog Australia has extended its automation solution for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) in Mentone by installing additional cranes and Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) solution at the latter’s distribution centre (DC).
Swisslog said in a media release the additional Vectura cranes will eliminate the need for CCEP to utilise off-site storage during peak months.
A $17.4 million extended ASRS solution was also installed by the automation company, which will boost operational effectiveness, increase customer responsiveness, and enable both software and mechanical upgrades with little impact on the DC’s performance.
One of the biggest producers of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages in the Asia-Pacific area, CCEP has teamed up with Swisslog to expand production capabilities and increase efficiency at various sites.
Colin Macdonald, director of operational excellence supply chain in Asia Pacific at CCEP, said Swisslog has shown great aptitude in understanding the needs of our business and demonstrated a willingness to adapt the application to meet requirements.
“The expanded automation solution enhances safety, eliminates off-site storage, and increases our customer responsiveness, which are all important as we look to further optimise production,” Macdonald noted.
According to Swisslog, its data-driven, robotic solution will allow CCEP to optimise operations and meet client demands more effectively, even during peak periods.
More infrastructure in Pallet Flow Lane (PFL) dispatch lanes and new Roll On Roll Off (RORO) docks will allow for faster turnaround times for trucks inbound from CCEP’s neighbouring Moorabbin production site and outbound from Mentone.
Furthermore, the additional wrapper and manual infeed stations will give for increased flexibility in warehouse operation, the company revealed.
Dan Ulmamei, managing director of Swisslog in Australia and New Zealand, said it was satisfying to see an existing customer recognise the benefits of an extension.
“CCEP is clearly committed to improving its operational efficiency, and it saw that further automation could help take it to the next level. Swisslog was delighted to be able to assist as CCEP’s automation partner,” he said.
In order to operate the system as a whole, the new ASRS is connected to the current ASRS at cross-over places.
With more than 12,000 total storage spaces, the solution combines a 3-pallet deep channel on one side and an 8/9-pallet deep channel on the other side to create the optimal combination of shallow and deep channel storage.
To increase efficient storage utilisation, overlapping row carrier functionality has been made available as an option, Swisslog revealed.
“The extended automation solution at CCEP Mentone has been designed to allow the flexibility to upgrade any component in the future. The additional three cranes provide further redundancy for the Mentone DC,” explained Ulmamei.
