In 2020 SSI SCHÄFER delivered a storage and picking solution to its long-term partner Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe Oy (Rocla Oy before 2020), one of the market leaders in AGV solutions. The scope of supply included a racking system for pallets and VLM technology.
Background for the changes
In 2013 Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe, at that time called Rocla, made a strategic decision to expand production facilities in Finland. To quickly follow up on this development branch the company rented multiple smaller warehouses to store stocks of small parts and larger items in pallets before releasing them into the production stage. In 2020 this strategy was reviewed to agree on having one single warehouse in Järvenpää closer to the manufacturing premises, but the change needed to happen fast – in only 12 weeks.
A customer with clear expectations and vision
In 2020 Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe was exactly like this. They knew what their business needed and when. Choosing the right company for the job was the only box left to tick.
“We had an empty building, and we needed an efficient system with optimal space usage as well as a faster picking solution” – shares Anssi Haataja, Senior Manager of Industrial Technology & Premises at Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe Oy.
One of the main reasons for consolidating storage was having more space, clarity over the inventory and transparency of the processes. All these aspects inevitably lead towards better productivity, and, therefore making the end customer even happier. The condition that added much pressure to the project overall was a very tight schedule that could not be shifted or delayed. Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe only had 3 months to go from order placement to a full-capacity operating warehouse.
The magic of having everything in one place
The initially rented facilities had only shelving solutions installed with no automation tools or intelligent equipment involved. The “brain” behind it all was a simple ERP system at that moment. Due to the need for increased productivity, it was decided to install a WMS system as a first step.
The new building of 8,500 square meters is equally divided into the AGV testing zone and the warehouse. When the goods are received, the data is immediately entered into WMS. The goods are then sent for buffering or storage to the specified units. The new system has 10 SSI LOGIMAT® modules. 8 of them are dedicated to storing small parts like bolts, brackets, etc. The other 2 VLM’s are used for larger items. One employee can operate 4 SSI LOGIMAT® modules at the same time.
“WMS helps to open up all 4 at once with the needed items. As soon as the parts are picked from one tray, another tray is already moving forward to the open gate”, – comments Marko Lappi, Warehouse Manager at Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe.
There are currently 22,000 units in the VLMs with over 1.1 million pieces. Simultaneous interaction with modules helps to put into storage different items at once and saves time dedicated for the job.
The warehouse is also equipped with SSI SCHÄFER’s PR 600 – racks for pallet storage. This area provides Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe with 5000 pallet locations.
Moving along the material flow, picking is sequenced to first retrieve the items from SSI LOGIMAT® and then from PR 600 to combine them in the needed groups and send them to the production line.
Maintenance was a game-changer
When the order was placed, every suggested solution got evaluated by 4 major criteria: enabling the desired number of storage locations, easy to assemble and integrate, ensuring the needed productivity level and completing everything on time. SSI SCHÄFER checked all the boxes.
“SSI SCHÄFER also had its own assembling team and we decided to go ahead with them”, – adds Anssi.
Moreover, Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe got an extended warranty for 5 years and a maintenance contract. It is extremely important for the company to ensure seamless and continuous work at the site with no disruption.
“The maintenance team is located nearby our facility and can act immediately on any request we have”, – concludes Marko.
SSI SCHAEFER | January 2022