State-of-the-art distribution center for IKEA
The traditional differentiation between the sales channels retail business and mail-order business has often merged into one omni-channel model. Furthermore, different order types, high ability to respond as well as permanent goods availability and maximum delivery quality even in peak times characterize the new world of furniture business - this results in changed requirements for intralogistics. The ultra-modern IKEA distribution center in Montreal meets these requirements and will ensure the supply of furniture stores and online business.
Optimum availability through automation
Twelve linear gantry robots by RO-BER Industrieroboter GmbH, in which SSI SCHAEFER is a majority stake owner, ensure efficient provision of in-house loading aids and optimize the goods-in process. A 750 m electronic floor conveyor with 42 vehicles connects the goods-in stations to the high-bay warehouse in silo design, the core of the logistics center. It offers 245,000 pallet storage locations supplied by 30 energy-efficient Exyz storage and retrieval machines for double-deep storage and retrieval operations. The HBW will supply IKEA stores with single-item and mixed pallets. The latter will be compiled according to the ergonomics@work!® concept at multi-order-picking work stations that are connected to the high-bay warehouse by a second electronic floor conveyor with 35 vehicles on a 525 m track in line with the person-to-goods principle using Put to Light displays.
36 Navette multi-level shuttles and 24 lifts in the 18-aisle shuttle warehouse ensure optimum provision of items for picking of online orders. The warehouse provides 12,000 bin storage locations and it has been designed according to the patented 3D-MATRIX Solution®. Picking is carried out in accordance with the goods-to-person principle using put walls with a Put to Light function.
The WAMAS® logistics software controls and optimizes all processes in both automated warehouses, ensures effective and coordinated processes, as well as timely processing of store and online orders. Moreover, the logistics software is connected to the customer's warehouse management system with a standardized interface. The visualization and information software WAMAS® Lighthouse is used to visualize warehouse processes and provides important key figures.
"At IKEA, we always strive to be more accessible, affordable, and more sustainable for our customers. This requires an innovative logistics with fulfilment activities in various shapes and formats, all enabling IKEA to be a multichannel retailer", explains Claudio Marconi, Head of Logistics Development of Inter IKEA.
The completion of the Montreal project is scheduled for spring 2020. As a result of the positive and coactive cooperation, SSI SCHAEFER will also implement two follow-up orders for IKEA in Torsvik (Sweden) and Lyssach (Switzerland).