The outstanding efficiency and reliability of Swisslog’s AutoStore installation for logistics leader Linfox has been recognised by Australia’s peak supply chain management body, the Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA).
Swisslog’s compact and secure AutoStore goods-to-person automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS), installed at Linfox’s new consumer products facility in western Sydney, received Highly Commended in the Best Supply Chain Management category of SCLAA’s annual awards.
The ultra-high density AutoStore system accommodates more than 20,000 bins of high value product served by 45 robot wheeled bins in an automatic storage and rapid despatch system occupying a floor footprint of just 700 sq m.
“This kind of recognition is a testament to the hard work of both the Swisslog and Linfox teams who have made this future-ready automation solution possible. I’d like to thank everyone involved in this outstanding project,” said Mr Francis Meier, Managing Director, Swisslog Australia.
Compared with conventional non-automated warehousing, AutoStore systems offer a 60% reduction in inventory storage footprint, at least a 100% increase in picking speed and inventory record accuracy of more than 99.9%.
The highly secure but easily operated system is among the latest of more than 500 AutoStore systems delivering such benefits globally, including one employed by the FBI in the USA to safeguard and efficiently manage millions of paper records in the Agency’s first robotic storage and retrieval warehouse for paper records.
Linfox’s installation is the first by the diverse logistics company, which employs more than 24,000 people across 10 countries and is one of the most compactly product-dense of any AutoStore installations.
Mr Meier, says the system is ideal for fast, accurate, secure and clean picking of smaller high-value goods in a greatly reduced space compared with conventional warehousing. The rapidly expandable and adaptable system is ideal, for example, for consumer goods such as sports, fashion, gifts, electronics, beauty and household products, as well as global uses such as medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, high value e-groceries and the huge diversity of personal items in the rapidly expanding retail and ecommerce markets for which hygienic, safe and secure automated despatch is accelerating post-COVID.
AutoStore systems are one of a comprehensive portfolio of Swisslog automation systems for different industries and product types and sizes, including ASRS, automatic conveyor and transport systems, picking and palletising solutions, and flexible and intelligent software solutions.
“AutoStore systems are very clean and safe, eliminating multiple handling by storing internally up to 100,000 products or more that would otherwise be placed in cages on rows of racks,” says Mr Meier.
AutoStore fast facts
Compared with conventional non-automated warehousing, AutoStore systems offer:
- At least a 100% increase in picking speed
- A 60% reduction in inventory storage footprint
- Inventory record accuracy of more than 99.9%.
- Faster turnaround times
- More secure storage (which is important for certain medical or surgical supplies)
- Easily expandable system
- Goods-to-person technology – eliminates opportunity for error
- Flexible design – fits into any existing warehouse
- Multi-tasking – goods can be simultaneously picked and stocked at the same time
- Self-optimising – high-frequency bins are automatically organised to expedite picking
- Controlled access – access to bins is only from ports, reducing product loss
- Built-in redundancy – each unit and robot operates independently