Swisslog completes 300 AutoStore projects worldwide

Swisslog, a leading integrator of AutoStore, has completed 300 projects around the world. The applications range from micro fulfillment centers to standalone systems and larger, fully integrated solutions. The benefits of automation include faster operations, higher throughput, and better working conditions. The AutoStore investment typically pays off within two years.

(Buchs) The year 2022 is a milestone for Swisslog, a global leader in automated intralogistics technologies and the world’s leading integrator of AutoStore. The company has now realized 300 AutoStore projects in over 26 countries worldwide, with a total of more than 7 million containers and no fewer than 10,000 robots.

“We are in the unique position to support companies in transforming their automated warehousing operations – from simple, standalone AutoStore systems to some of the largest and most complex installations. The demand for this technology is so great that by June 2022, we will likely have increased our project base from 300 to 350 projects,” says Kirchhoff.

ROI within two years

Swisslog customers typically achieve a return on investment (ROI) for AutoStore installations within just two years. Additionally, numerous benefits quickly arise, such as the ability to achieve more with the same workforce, consistently higher quality standards, and faster, higher throughput per employee. Automation also leads to better working conditions and higher job satisfaction.

The 300 AutoStore projects that Swisslog has completed to date demonstrate that the company has a wide range of design and implementation capabilities. The projects are roughly divided into three main categories: micro fulfillment centers (MFC), smaller standalone systems, and large, complex, fully integrated solutions.

Establishing micro fulfillment centers within six months

Micro fulfillment centers are becoming increasingly popular and are typically used to repurpose existing facilities, such as a retail store. They enable an optimal customer experience and usually pay for themselves in just six months. Recent projects by Swisslog include installations for SKUtopia, Australia, Peapod, USA, and HEB, USA.

SKUtopia is collaborating with Swisslog to introduce an automated micro fulfillment center (MFC) in Sydney, Australia. The new MFC allows up to 300 businesses to scale from one to 10,000 orders. As a Fourth Party Logistics (4PL) provider, SKUtopia offers home delivery and automated click-and-collect functionality with 24/7 availability, as well as inventory management, orders, shipping, and warehousing.

Projects with various large customers

The standalone AutoStore solutions realized by Swisslog include projects for TTV, Germany, Bio Partner, Switzerland, Stihl, Spain, and RoboStores, UAE. Thanks to Swisslog’s streamlined project execution, standalone systems can often be realized within six months, enabling a faster ROI. AutoStore customers of Swisslog benefit from a dedicated contact person who takes overall responsibility for every aspect of the project and supports them from the initial inquiry to project completion and beyond.

The sealing and sliding bearing specialist TTV (Technische Teile Vertrieb GmbH) uses AutoStore to optimize its small parts handling. AutoStore has enabled the company to organize storage and picking much faster and more space-efficiently than was ever possible with simple shelves and manual handling. The new system also operates reliably under the highest loads. It features 15,000 storage locations and initially four AutoStore robots with two ports for goods receipt and picking.

Easy integration into complex warehousing applications

Complex and fully integrated AutoStore solutions have longer lead times and are typically implemented in phases. Major brands that leverage Swisslog’s expertise in these large-scale implementations include ASDA, UK, Arvato, Netherlands, Brack, Switzerland, Varner, Sweden, and Radwell, USA.

Swisslog AutoStore installations are managed through the modular warehouse management software platform SynQ. The SynQ AutoStore module was specifically developed by Swisslog’s in-house software experts to maximize the efficiency of AutoStore and enable full integration with more complex warehousing applications. It embeds intelligent functions into operations and synchronizes the warehouse automation components in the best possible way.

Better utilization of available space

By using robots and containers for the rapid processing of small part orders, AutoStore utilizes available space better than any other automated system. The unique design allows for direct stacking of containers on top of each other and the storage of multiple SKUs in a single container. Naturally, the system learns which products have a higher rotation and stores them in the upper levels to ensure shorter picking times.

AutoStore is not only space- and labor-saving, but also improves productivity, quality, and safety. In industrial wastelands, the system can lead to positive changes through repurposing and ensure the future viability of companies in a dynamic business environment.

Photos: @ Swisslog