As a global parts and solutions provider to the independent aftermarket, MAHLE Aftermarket is seeing a shift in customer order profiles from larger pallet orders to smaller package orders in higher frequency. This results in an increasing number of shipping points per customer and shipping smaller quantities to more locations.
To accommodate this shift, MAHLE Aftermarket will implement an AutoStore system from Kardex in its Olive Branch, MS, location to automate small parts handling. MAHLE Aftermarket selected AutoStore, a robotic storage technology solution empowered by Kardex, for the speed and density of the solution as well as Kardex's ability to provide maintenance and support services by leveraging the Kardex service network.
AutoStore is a fully automated and intelligent goods-to-person storage and retrieval system offering product storage density. Bins are stacked vertically in a grid and retrieved by intelligent, battery-powered robots that travel on top of the grid system, sorting, carrying and delivering bins to the respective workstations (ports), where a variety of warehouse operations can be performed (picking, replenishment, inventory control, etc.). The flexible, tailor-made system fits even unusually shaped facilities, allowing the grid to be placed around columns, on mezzanines and on multiple levels. The bins are stacked neatly on top of each other in a condensed grid-style system, increasing storage capacity up to four times and performance up to 10 times that of traditional storage methods, all without the need for additional workforce, according to the company. AutoStore can adapt to changing order fulfillment requirements through a flexible configuration of the robots, ports and quantity of bin locations.
As a central core of MAHLE Aftermarket's Digitalization and Automatization Strategy "Warehouse 4.0," the Kardex AutoStore solution will enable the company to increase efficiencies and standardize operations on a global scale while achieving high customer service levels and quality goals.
In the first stage, the AutoStore system in Olive Branch will contain 42,000 storage bins. Eighteen AutoStore R5 robots will sort, carry and deliver bins to five carousel ports and two conveyor ports serving as workstations for picking and replenishment. The ports will be linked directly to light goods conveyors for sortation to LTL and parcel outbound processing. The AutoStore solution will be integrated with the existing Warehouse Management System SAP EWM at MAHLE Aftermarket. Due to the modular design of AutoStore, performance and storage capacity can be expanded at any time, without impacting ongoing operations.
For more information contact:
MAHLE Aftermarket
23030 MAHLE Drive
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-347-9700
www.mahle-aftermarket.com
Kardex Solutions, LLC
9361 Montgomery Road Suite G
Montgomery, OH 45242
www.kardex.com