Swisslog Supports Swiss Bike Manufacturer with Automation

The small parts warehouse installed by the Swiss intralogistics company Swisslog AG at the bike manufacturer TST-GPR AG supports the company in logistics for the bike specialty trade. There is also a bicycle boom in Switzerland, and automation in the logistics of the bike manufacturer comes at the right time.

(Buchs AG) The Swiss bike specialty trade is booming: The demand for bicycle equipment is rising sharply, which further challenges logistics. TST-GPR AG, a manufacturer of bikes, was able to successfully manage the order boom thanks to the small-volume warehouse that went into operation in spring at the Uster location. The facility implemented by Swisslog is controlled by the Swisslog SynQ software.

“Without warehouse automation and the rapid project implementation by Swisslog, we would not have been able to deliver our customers on time during the current order boom,” says Silas Obrist, CEO of TST-GPR. TST-GPR’s customers include primarily bike specialty stores. The demand for new bikes and accessories, as well as increased bicycle repairs, led to a significant increase in volume.

Efficiency Increase in Order Picking

With the help of the new automation, achieved through Swisslog’s innovative AutoStore container storage system and controlled by the SynQ software, TST-GPR was able to significantly increase their order picking efficiency. “Thanks to the automation based on the goods-to-person picking principle, we were able to reduce the error rate in storage and shipping to a minimum,” explains Obrist. “The order pickers no longer have to walk to the shelves distributed over several floors to retrieve the ordered products. Instead, it is robots that bring the goods to the boxes and to the software-supported picking stations.” This system also optimizes space conditions. The space required for storing the previous quantity of items could be reduced by 60%.

Thanks to the automation, bike stores also receive their orders on the same or the next day, even during peak times. This was not always possible before. The facility was completed within 6 months after ordering, despite the outbreak of the Corona pandemic.

Globally Used Software Solution

SynQ is a proven and globally used software solution from Swisslog that offers a simple interface to the customer system and includes ergonomic workplace dialogues. “We are proud that AutoStore, together with the practically proven SynQ software from Swisslog, is now also making its way into the bike specialty trade, thus quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively meeting the increased demand in this booming sector,” emphasizes Dr. Christian Baur, CEO of Swisslog. Swisslog is the leading intralogistics provider in Switzerland. With over 300 employees at the Buchs AG location, we can serve our customers quickly and easily – even during pandemic times with travel and contact restrictions.

Photo: © Swisslog