SHOP APOTHEKE EUROPE commissioned SSI SCHAEFER with highly automated solution
SHOP APOTHEKE EUROPE, one of Continental Europe’s leading online pharmacies, commissioned SSI SCHAEFER to equip their new logistics center in Sevenum, the Netherlands. The highly automated solution will increase the possible shipping volume to more than 35 million parcels per year and has been designed for zero-error tolerance and 24/7 operations. The investment is in the medium double-digit million range.
SHOP APOTHEKE EUROPE currently supplies more than 5 million active customers in Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland from its existing warehouse in Venlo. The product range includes more than 100,000 over-the-counter and prescription drugs, nutritional supplements as well as beauty and personal care products. The new logistics center will provide the basis for meeting constantly growing demand. “Our customers will have an even wider product range to choose from and will receive the orders even faster,” says Theresa Holler, head pharmacist and COO of SHOP APOTHEKE EUROPE.
Challenges mastered through collaboration
In the course of the intralogistics project engineering, SSI SCHAEFER closely cooperated with the online pharmacy and Miebach Consulting. Miebach Consulting’s experts have been working with SHOP APOTHEKE EUROPE since 2018; they were responsible for the initial conception/detailed planning as well as the call for tenders and now monitor the implementation.
“For SSI SCHAEFER, this project is a further important step to extend our business in the healthcare e-commerce sector,” says Klaus Murko, Vice President Healthcare & Cosmetics at SSI SCHAEFER. “SHOP APOTHEKE EUROPE is a top partner to build a successful future together.”
A maximum of flexibility, sufficient options for future extension and a technical performance matching the demand were the requirements for the new logistics system. “Patient safety comes first, so maximum process security is crucial,” adds Theresa Holler. Ergonomics also played an important role, particularly in the design of the work stations in the incoming goods area where supplied goods are repacked to special bins.
High performance density nailed
The automated small parts warehouse (ASPW) includes the SSI Miniload 1-Mast designed for double-deep storage and the SSI Miniload 2-Mast designed for single-deep storage. Furthermore, an SSI Cuby shuttle system is used as order buffer. Shuttle vehicles supply the storage locations with up to 800 double cycles per aisle per hour. The high-performance shuttle system needs comparatively little space and can be flexibly extended if needed. Modularity combined with efficient use of space and a high picking quantity are the characteristics of the A-Frame. The picking automats enable fast processing of complex orders even at peak times.
In addition, Put to Light work stations and work stations for single order sorting and compiling bulk orders will be installed. The SSI SCHAEFER scope of supply and services also includes a 10 km carton and bin conveying system including a cross belt sorter, a platform extending over 11,000 m², static and pallet racks as well as various handling systems to support shipping preparation. The required bins are also provided by SSI SCHAEFER from a single source. The logistics software WAMAS® coordinates the material flow.
The installation of the intralogistics components was started in spring 2020. The go-live for the entire system is planned for the beginning of 2021.