As a result of steady growth, the demand for pallet bays has increased continuously at LFD. In a traditional storage concept, the order picking paths then tend to become longer.
The customer base of the LFD Group includes a number of storage logistics specialists, whose knowledge was utilised successfully. The analysis of the sequences showed that in the framework of the order picking time, 78% consisted of walking or driving (forklift trucks) and only 22% was comprised of actual order picking.
Reach trucks at LFD require an operating width of 3 metres between the high racks. Until now, 43% of the hall surfaces could not be used for the storage of goods. On the basis of these findings, a completely new logistics concept was developed.
With new intelligent dynamic storage systems for pallets (dynamic storage), the facilities are used more intensively and forklift movements have been reduced. By using gravity in the skewed storage rack level, a diverse range of articles can be processed more quickly and with less personnel and operating costs.
The same system was implemented with a “carton flow” solution for the access of small quantities. This type of storage reduces distances dramatically and increases order picking times significantly, because LFD customers more frequently order smaller batch sizes as well, in order to reduce their own capital commitment.
With the change-over of the hardware in the warehouse, LFD has simultaneously implemented an adaptation of the IT. All specialist warehouse personnel are guided through the warehouse with the assistance of an MDE unit. In the course of this, the most efficient paths are calculated. Errors are avoided with the matching of barcodes at the storage position on the shelf. With the completion confirmation of the order picking process, the forwarding agent is informed on the pick-up and the customer automatically receives a notification for the shipment tracking.
With the change-over of the LFD logistics, the pallet capacity has been increased by 15% during the first step. As a result, the costs of storage have been lowered per pallet position. The distances have been lowered to 26% and the effective order picking time has been increased to 74%.
