Central warehouse conversion for Adolf Grüninger AG
Adolf Grüninger AG is Switzerland's biggest producer of margarine and fat. As a general contractor, we have set up a modern central warehouse with 7300 pallet locations in just six months. The latest system technology is ensuring efficient operations and optimum utilisation.
Efficient flow of goods and optimum utilisation of space
With a 75 percent market share, Adolf Grüninger AG covers virtually all demand for commercial and industrial margarine in Switzerland. An acute space issue at its site in Mitlödi led to the company's decision to expand an existing warehouse with favourable transport connections in neighbouring Reichenburg. This decision also encompassed the relocation of the central warehouse.
Grüninger AG occasionally uses the warehouse as a service provider for other companies, mainly sister companies. As well as setting up a modern, future-oriented central warehouse, the implementation and additional handling needed to be as quick and uncomplicated as possible for the staff at Grüninger AG. The existing warehouse structure needed to be adjusted to meet the requirements of the products that were now to be stored there, and sufficient warehouse capacity needed to be ensured.
Not only did Adolf Grüninger AG wish to achieve maximum utilisation of the storage space; the company also wanted to create a modern infrastructure and optimise processes. After all, optimum and future-oriented warehouse operations require modern technologies that can keep up with growing requirements.
The appointed service provider needed to be a single-source supplier of everything that was necessary for the conversion and effective operation of the warehouse.
25 percent more warehouse output
As general contractor, we took just six months to set up a narrow-aisle, high-bay warehouse in Reichenburg with 20 aisles reaching 14 metres in height and 7300 pallet locations. The latest logistics software and system technology are ensuring efficient warehouse operations and optimum warehouse utilisation.
The basis for these operations is our Warehouse Management System (WMS) with paperless order picking. The truck guidance system integrated into the WMS controls all transport and warehouse processes. Route-optimised travel commands are loaded directly onto the truck terminal for the staff. Our EKX 515 high rack stacker is also equipped with warehouse navigation so that the target locations are automatically reached using the fastest route. Warehouse output has increased by 25 percent as a result.
WMS implemented with success
The new central warehouse in Reichenburg means that Adolf Grüninger AG is optimally prepared for the future. Romeo Steiner, head of logistics at Adolf Grüninger AG, tells us: "The implementation and commissioning of the Jungheinrich WMS went really well. Our warehouse employees were perfectly accommodated and received training along with tips and tricks. We are extremely happy with the co-operation and implementation. All our wants and needs were taken into account and the project was rolled out on time and with the flexibility we required."