Benning GmbH & Co. KG (Electronics)

Bocholt, Germany

 Retrofit &  Dematic IT

Retrofit & Dematic IT

Converting production supply from manual to automatic operation

 

To supply its own production at the Bocholt site, as well as to supply its international subsidiaries, Benning has established a new, automated logistics center that replaces the existing manual warehouse at the same site.  

 

In the first phase of implementation a three-aisle automated small-parts warehouse (Miniload) with 17,000 double-depth container bays and a three-aisle high-bay warehouse (HBW) with 2,600 pallet bays were set up. Both new warehouse areas are equipped with conveyor technology. An additional 5 Rotomates (carousels) from the old plant, which expand the storage capacity if necessary, are located near the miniload. A separate, manually operated high bay that is used for oversized articles, heavy loads and hazardous items completes the plant.

  

Up to 12,000 different articles are stored. Approximately 150 order-picking assignments with around 2,100 order positions are processed per day. At present work is done in 2 shifts per day, while 3 shifts are also worked at peak times.

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The Task

Dematic won the order to set up the planned warehouse solution as a general contractor. Benning placed a great deal of emphasis on ensuring seamless migration from the old, manual warehouse solution to an automated solution within a continual operation. From the IT perspective the task was to produce a warehouse management system that controls all of the automated and manual warehouse areas, but which is also easy to operate in the process. In addition to setting up automated warehouse zones with goods-to-person order-picking, the task also involved equipping the manual stacker-operated zones with a stacker guidance system and person-to-goods order-picking, and integrating these into the system.

 

The interface to the host had to be transparent and open, so that the existing host solution can be replaced gradually by the planned Microsoft Axapta solution at a later point in time without modification to the WMS. To safeguard reliable supply to production, Benning expected a plant availability of at least 96%. 
 

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