psb intralogistics will implement an in-house system concept for FRICKE Group
psb intralogistics, one of the leading European suppliers of intralogistics solutions, will deliver the entire logistics system for FRICKE Group’s new logistics centre in Tholey. The location in the south-west of Germany offers ideal access to the markets in southern Germany, France and southern Europe. The high performance and flexibility in terms of utilisation and expansion were decisive factors in favour of the psb solution.
FRICKE Group, headquartered in Heeslingen, Lower Saxony/Germany, is the leading distributor of agricultural machinery, garden and municipal technology and commercial vehicle trade plus spare parts and components. With 84 locations, FRICKE is active in 27 countries.
The new logistics centre of FRICKE Group will have an impressive floor space of 80,000 square metres. This project will set a milestone in warehouse efficiency. Focus of the modern intralogistics concept is the very high degree of automation and the system technology that provides for a flexible extension in terms of storage and processing capacity.
“With psb intralogistics, we have found the right partner for realising this large and challenging project,” says Hans-Peter Fricke, owner and Managing Director of the FRICKE Group. “In addition to the convincing concept, the high level of vertical integration at psb was also a decisive factor for us. Most of the components for our future system will be designed, manufactured and programmed at psb in Pirmasens. This provides us with the necessary planning security.”
In the dynamic world of intralogistics, where every detail makes the difference between efficiency and stagnation, psb intralogistics presents an innovation for efficient zero-touch solutions in warehousing: a pocket sorter with automatically unloading pocket autopouch.
psb pocket sorter: efficiency and precision in one system
Intralogistics is more than just transport from A to B. In intralogistics, precision and efficiency are decisive factors for the smooth flow of goods. This is where the psb pocket sorter with its innovative overhead conveyor technology comes into play.
The psb pocket sorter combines the advantages of overhead conveyor technology with the diverse possibilities of flat-packed goods handling for shoes, shirts, or other items. This enables exceptionally fast and efficient buffering and sequential sorting of individual items. By using pockets to store the items, a wide variety of goods can be stored and buffered in one storage system.
psb autopouch – The future of pocket sorter technology
While unloading is carried out manually in conventional pocket sorter systems, the automatically opening and closing autopouch by psb requires no action by an operator. The autopouch is opened without stopping for automatic unloading. This can be done at almost any point in the system, allowing easy sorting into target containers or onto target conveyors.
A special feature of the psb system are the closing bars on the bottom edge of the transport pouches for precise opening and closing without the use of an additional closing station. This not only leads to a considerable increase in efficiency, but also to a significant reduction in effort and costs per unloading point. The only limits here are the dimensions and weights of the items to be sorted.
Versatile applications in the storage process
The new autopouch considerably extends the range of applications for the pocket sorter. It can be used not only as a picking sorter, possibly with returns buffering, but also as a dispatch sorter. The combination of both functions in one system can also be realised which achieves interesting synergy effects, such as the consistency of the system landscape and the reduction of costs.
Compared to all other piece goods sorters used in goods despatch, the autopouch pocket sorter has a significant advantage: the buffering option. After the pouches have been loaded, the goods can be sorted directly or buffered in designated lanes before sorting, e.g. until all items belonging to an order have been dispatched. If this is the case, the corresponding pouches are automatically removed from the buffer lanes and fed into the sorter loop. Each pocket can be opened above any conceivable destination, whereby any number of destinations can be lined up very close together.
The buffering option in order picking and dispatch preparation, for example, enables these tasks to be decoupled from the complex management of cut-off times in outgoing goods. This allows intralogistics processes to be further optimised and costs to be reduced.
Moving forward with future-proof intralogistics
The autopouch from psb intralogistics sets new standards in pouch sorter technology. With its versatility, efficiency and ability to integrate seamlessly into existing processes, the autopouch is a valuable tool for a wide range of intralogistics solutions.
The autopouch pocket sorter is a high-performance intralogistics system that is particularly interesting for industries with sorting, buffering and dispatch tasks, such as e-commerce or mail order. In addition to its specific advantages, the psb system is also a more cost-efficient solution compared to classic goods sorters.
If you would like to find out more about the autopouch system from psb intralogistics and how it can optimise your intralogistics processes, please do not hesitate to contact us. Send us a message via our contact form and let’s shape the future of your intralogistics together. Take the first step towards more efficient intralogistics – with psb intralogistics and the brand new autopouch technology.
Especially in the beginning, a fully automated storage system often seems to be too big or too expensive. This is why many companies decide to work with manual or semi-automatic warehousing systems.
But there are also solutions that have been specifically developed to provide cost-effective goods or production warehouses with low space requirements – automatic and without long walking distances. Thanks to a simple and ergonomic operating concept via a central workstation, automatic compact storage systems effectively simplify the storage process and offer flexible options for reducing the amount of work involved in the storage process.
Modern shuttle systems enable a lean entry into the »goods-to-person system« and offer a powerful and ergonomic solution for the start into the automated system world. Modern compact warehouses offer an excellent stand-alone solution, but can also be easily integrated into an existing system landscape. This way, a wide range of applications can be covered today, from automatic spare parts storage and tool storage to fulfillment solutions.
Compact and yet powerful: The psb microstore
The compact storage system by psb is especially designed to offer a reliable and cost-effective solution for fully automated storage technology on a small floor layout. The microstore consists of a racking system, a vario.sprinter shuttle and a lift, which transports the shuttle with the goods to different levels.
Starting at approximately 11 meters in length and 3.5 meters in height, the microstore offers a fully automated alternative to conventional storage systems. With 500 to 3,000 storage containers – depending on the size –, the most diverse storage requirements can be mapped. At the picking workstation, arranged on the side, up to 150 totes per hour are automatically provided.
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Designed as stand-alone system, the compact warehouse can be conveniently operated according to the »plug & play« principle via a single computer, which can be used to intuitively control storage and retrieval as well as inventory management by means of a touchscreen. In addition, the automated warehouse can be integrated into a complex system landscape. We offer integration with SAP and other enterprise resource planning systems as standard.
Thanks to this flexibility, the microstore convinces with a wide range of tasks and applications.
At psb, the sustainable way of thinking is firmly established: under our »green efficiency« label, we have summarized already for many years all aspects of green logistics. From our production site in Pirmasens to our innovative intralogistics solutions, we are committed to developing and advancing green technologies.
Efficient energy conversion and careful selection of materials
Efficiently designed system solutions are one of the keys to »green efficiency« at psb. By carefully selecting materials and using lightweight materials, such as aluminium, in our systems, we save weight and thus keep energy consumption as low as possible.
A modern AS/RS stacker crane, for example, requires just 1.6 kilowatts per hour of operating time. A vario.sprinter shuttle consumes as little as 0.15 kilowatts per hour. In comparison: the power consumption of an AS/RS stacker crane is roughly equivalent to that of a standard hair dryer, and that of a shuttle to that of a television.
The intelligent use of kinetic energy is another key step towards energy-efficient plants. We store the kinetic energy generated during the deceleration of shuttles, AGV or stacker cranes and convert it back into usable energy. That is done by feeding back energy into energy storage units (supercapacitors) with virtually no losses. This innovative technology enables potential savings of over 50 % and thus effectively helps to keep electricity consumption low.
In order to minimize power consumption, we pay attention to completely separable areas when planning the overall system in a process-oriented approach. So, in a Multi Access Warehouse, for example, several conveyor elements can be completely shut down during off-peak periods without affecting the access to storage elements. This not only optimizes energy consumption, but also improves operational efficiency.
Self-generated energy and clean mobility
Our commitment for sustainability is also reflected at our headquarters in Pirmasens. With photovoltaic systems and our own combined heat and power plant, we generate about 75 % of the energy required in our production facilities. This way, we are able to save around 600 tons of CO2 per year.
This way, we save around 600 tons of CO2 per year. This corresponds to the amount absorbed by approx. 50,000 trees.
Along with our production and office buildings, our own charging stations are powered as well. There, our employees and our visitors can charge their electric vehicles for free.
Sustainability as our mission
Our »green efficiency« approach reflects our conviction that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. At psb, we are proud to develop solutions that not only meet today’s and tomorrow’s intralogistics needs, we also protect the environment and future generations. Our commitment to sustainability spans across all our activities in order to create innovative and green solutions in intralogistics.
Efficient space for growth: focus on scalability in automated warehousing systems
Scalability is an important issue for many emerging companies. Even the best ideas and business models can stagnate if they are unable to keep pace with growth. Scalability is the crucial step in turning a promising vision into a thriving reality.
But there is one aspect that often does not keep pace with the increasing success of the company, or only with great difficulty: the warehousing system. And this is exactly where e-commerce and retail in particular are often faced with the decision: Do I risk my existing warehouse no longer being sufficient in terms of speed or capacity in a few years and thus becoming a bottleneck, or do I set up a warehouse that is “too big” and initially generates higher costs without direct added value?
This article focuses on approaches to establishing warehouse systems efficiently and in line with the business growth, and the factors that need to be taken into account.
The dilemma of optimal warehouse size: Between performance, capacity and costs
Choosing the right warehouse size is not easy for a company. A warehouse that is too small, or a solution with insufficient merchandise turnover rates, may result in orders and contracts not being fulfilled on time and customers being dissatisfied. A warehouse that is too large, on the other hand, carries the risk of generating higher operating costs due to unused capacity.
The company’s expectations for the future also play a major role in planning a warehouse. If I expect growth, the warehouse must still function optimally in a few years. At the same time, however, the costs of the project often increase.
Successful concept: Adaptive intralogistics systems by psb
With scalable solutions, the problems in warehouse planning can often be reduced or even solved completely. With the Multi Access Warehouse concept, psb enables the extension and adaptation of the warehouse system to the operational requirements.
This state-of-the-art shuttle system is fully adapted to the customer’s needs. Performance and capacity are planned to suit, and unnecessary costs are avoided. Thus, even starting with a few storage aisles or only a few shuttles makes sense in achieving fast and automatic order processing.
If, with growing business success, a higher output or more capacity is required, psb offers cost-effective and seamlessly integrable extensions for the already existing warehouse.
To achieve a higher performance and thus increase throughput, several shuttles per aisle can be integrated easily. This way, each storage aisle can be served by just a single shuttle; yet, several shuttles can move on a level as well in order to carry out a multiple of storage processes. At the same time, picking workstations can be integrated so that the increased performance in the warehouse can be processed there accordingly.
If a higher storage capacity should be needed later on, the intralogistics system can be expanded at any time. Thanks to an adaptive control system, more storage aisles can be easily integrated, or existing storage aisles can be extended. If the space conditions on site are insufficient, the storage system can also be split over several halls with an appropriate conveyor system.
Conclusion: Scalable warehouse systems – the future of warehouse management
In a world where companies are constantly growing and developing further, the importance of scalability in intralogistics is becoming increasingly apparent. An inefficient warehouse system can quickly lead to bottlenecks and cause increased costs. But thanks to innovative logistics solutions, such as the multi-access warehouse by psb, such issues can be avoided.
The adaptability of modern systems to a company’s current and future requirements can reduce concerns about insufficient storage capacity or performance. This allows companies to effectively control costs while ensuring high customer satisfaction.
Die Erfolgsgeschichte des Multi Access Warehouse von psb zeigt, dass die Zukunft der Lagertechnik in der Anpassungsfähigkeit liegt. Die flexiblen Möglichkeiten, das System bei Bedarf zu erweitern, verleiht Unternehmen die Sicherheit, dass ihr Lagerbetrieb stets reibungslos abläuft.
