14 January, 2008 - Elettric 80, a global provider of end-of-line automation solutions, is to supply Lagena Distribution, Scandinavia's largest distribution and logistics company, with thirteen high-lifting Laser Guided Vehicles (LGVs) and one high speed stretch robot for its facility in Stockholm, Sweden.
The LGVs, each with an 8 metre reach capability, will work alongside manual fork lift trucks in a rack storage environment to improve safety and efficiency at the site. Elettric 80's system will seamlessly integrate into
an existing Warehouse Management System (WMS) and manual picking solution.
Lagena's overall objective is to lower handling costs at the centre, without compromising flexibility of operations and accessibility. Lagena specialises in the distribution of alcohol from producers around the world. It predominantly distributes wine bottles and bag-in-box cartons, but also handles beers and spirits such as whiskey, tequila and cognac.
Due to the variety of goods going through the centre, Elettric 80's LGV solution has been designed to handle different sized pallets. The product is stacked from floor to ceiling in a 12,000 sq metre high storage area. The vehicles deployed will be programmed to manoeuvre in a 3 metre wide corridor. Not only will the LGVs support the storage process, they will also be tasked with moving goods to and from an existing automated warehouse.
Lagena delivers 600 to 1,200 pallets a day - equivalent to over half a million bottles. Due to market demands, the business rationale for automation within the distribution environment has become increasingly compelling. These pressures were formerly only present in the manufacturing sector, but as operational efficiencies are put under the microscope and the desire for cheaper product increases, the need to improve reliability in the distribution environment becomes more critical.
The brief Elettric 80 received from Lagena was to provide a cost effective automation solution which was reliable and would increase safety in the handling of goods, thus minimising wastage.
Lars Reinholdsson, Managing Director at Lagena Distribution, said: "Due to
the volume of products going through our distribution centres, we started to explore the feasibility of an LGV-based solution and in particular the Elettric 80 offering. The products that we handle are very fragile and are
susceptible to breakage. In the world of logistics and distribution, you have to look at new ways of reducing breakage and consequently improve your operational performance. Elettric 80's solution was ideal. It used proven technologies and offered us a degree of flexibility within our centre that we previously didn't have."
For more information contact:
Elettric 80 AB
Tel: +46 31 743 4741
About Elettric 80 - www.elettric80.com
Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Viano, Italy, Elettric 80 is a global
provider of end-of-line automation solutions which increase operational
profitability and efficiency - put simply our technology helps companies cut cost and move product out of the warehouse in a fast and effective manner. Due to years of experience, Elettric 80 understands the automation and storage handling challenges faced by many different businesses and has
subsequently developed a systematic approach which is proven and underpinned
by continuous investment in research and development.
Above all, Elettric 80 values its relationship with its customers. It is committed to offering high value consultancy and maintaining a track record
of supplying solutions which are flexible, durable and provide a long term return on investment. Our proposition is based on Freeway® - an innovative and unique approach to end-of-line logistics which provides clients with a clear competitive edge.
Freeway® is a highly flexible material handling system which utilises palletising robots, Laser Guided Vehicles (LGVs), high speed wrappers (Silkworm) and a pallet control system. The entire process is managed centrally by a state-of-the-art Warehouse Management System (WMS). During all phases of implementation an experienced and skilled team is at hand to assist and advise on the deployment of the solution; from the initial concept and design, through trials and simulations, to final deployment and after sales support.
Elettric 80 has subsidiaries in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia and Poland, and is therefore able to offer customers local expertise coupled with international insight.
About Lagena Distribution - www.lagena.se
LAGENA Distribution AB, was founded in 1995. The company was created to be the best choice for the distribution of alcoholic beverages in a way that guarantees a professional, neutral handling of our customers as well as their brands.