SSI Schaefer has achieved recent succes by fitting out a brand new stores facility for Linde Materials Handling in Hampshire and in a separate project, the company has extended a state-of-the-art picking system to increase distribution capacity for a candle manufacturer in Avonmouth
Twenty two years after its first parts store was installed, Linde Materials Handling (UK) once again called upon the expertise of SSI Schaefer to fit out its brand new stores facility based in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
With a close working relationship spanning decades, Linde was confident about using SSI Schaefer’s expertise to design and install a new parts store once the decision was made to relocate to new premises from its existing satellite site in Basingstoke.
Linde took full advantage of SSI Schaefer’s product portfolio and industry capabilities in order to achieve a working space that would operate efficiently, taking full advantage of the available footprint, whilst adhering to critical advice regarding loading and building regulations to the overall project.
The product range and flexibility provided by SSI Schaefer meant that both wide and very narrow aisle (VNA) pallet racking were installed in addition to high bay shelving served by Linde’s K Range narrow aisle combi trucks and a modular multi-tier storage facility for smaller items. Cantilever racking for storing Linde’s long goods and other bulky items and an array of plastic containers were also supplied.
Mike Settle, logistics manager, Linde, says: “SSI Schaefer’s wide and narrow aisle pallet racking allowed us to use our own range of trucks resulting in the perfect combination. The professionalism and knowledge base that SSI Schaefer has when it comes to providing proficient and dynamic warehouse storage systems enabled us relocate with ease and stick to budget without compromising on efficiency.”
The pallet racking installation provides Linde with a stable, robust, versatile, expandable, safe and long-lasting system – perfect for long-term business growth. The VNA system, designed to meet a new generation of warehouses up to 15m high with aisles marginally wider than the load, has improved Linde’s stock rotation and improved picking rates – the increased operational height has enabled Linde to utilise the floor area more efficiently increasing the overall stores capacity.
Linde offers bespoke handling solutions for every type of industrial and commercial application. These include engine and electric powered counterbalance trucks, a complete range of warehouse trucks, very narrow aisle systems, electric tow tractors, sideloaders and container handlers.
In a separate project one of the world’s largest manufacturers of scented candles has extend its state-of-the-art picking system to increase distribution capacity following the move to a new European headquarters in Avonmouth.
Yankee Candle Europe relocated its new premises in 2012 to accommodate its plan for future growth of the business. The increased warehouse facilities enables higher levels of stock to be held onsite, increased volume of orders to be dispatched for retail outlets, export customers and a growing online business. The move also enables the company to avoid the additional cost of off-site storage.
Having installed the original highly customised ‘flexible zone’ pick-to-light system in the previous building, to improve picking efficiency and reduce picking errors, SSI Schaefer was contracted back to extend the system to accommodate the new warehouse and increased distribution at the new site.
In one month, SSI Schaefer dismantled the existing zone picking system made up of carton live storage, pick-by-light picking and conveyor-based carton sortation, transported it to the new DC and reinstalled it in conjunction with a complete reconfiguration and extension. At 175,000ft2, this new DC is almost three times the size of the original facility and the addition extra pallet positions has significantly increased storage capacity.
There are now more picking locations in the carton live storage, an additional full case ‘pick to belt conveyor’, additional ‘sort-to-route’ sortation lanes for completed orders and separate shipping carton feeds from two zone picking areas. The whole system has also been given a complete software overhaul including additional interfaces to contract carriers’ systems.
Bruce Mitchell, operations manager, Yankee Candle Europe, says: “SSI Schaefer ensured the movement of the picking system to our new DC in Avonmouth was accomplished without a hitch.
“The additional full case picking functionality provided by the extended system has considerably speeded up our operation, enabling us to more tightly control our picking and wave management. We now have a system which is future-proof and flexible enough to accommodate further expansion when needed.”
The extended automated system which includes additional sortation capability and a new automated full case picking area has and will enable Yankee Candle Europe to continue increasing its throughput efficiency of the picking operation and accommodate with ease, future requirements of its growing internet business.
SSI Schaefer
T: 01264 386600
