Robots at Renault: The Future Ain’t What It Used to Be!
Well, well, well, if it isn’t Renault Group making daring moves in their after-sales supply chain. The French car manufacturer has rolled out a brand new generation of robotic solutions in Villeroy, Burgundy, taking ‘automation’ to a pedal-to-the-metal level. Yes, folks, that’s right: they’ve teamed up with the French company Exotec to deploy a robotics revolution—because why not let robots do all the heavy lifting? Literally.
Introducing ReVA (Renault Villeroy Automatisation), a name so snazzy it could be the latest French perfume! This groundbreaking initiative features 191 Skypod® robots, 14 picking stations, and a jaw-dropping 67,000 recycled plastic bins for parts. Imagine that! The robots are here to sort the nuts from the bolts and manage spare parts flows better than you can manage your sock drawer at home.
A Major Logistics Transformation
In a world where logistics can sometimes feel like a jigsaw puzzle missing half its pieces, Renault has decided to play it smart. After facing some serious challenges like a fragmented distribution plan (also known as organized chaos!), they decided to centralize their operations. Finally, a solution that doesn’t involve shouting over the conveyor belt!
Skypod® logistics robots can process up to 4,000 order lines per hour during peak periods.
Now, over 80% of French activity is centralized at a single site. I mean, it’s about time! These Skypod® robots are not just whizzing around; they’re on a mission with a record to keep, having served a whopping one million lines by June 2024. Talk about running your operations like a well-oiled machine—if only my morning coffee could operate like that!
Performance and Energy: Multiple Benefits
Let’s talk benefits—because this isn’t just about saving face; it’s about saving feet too. With the “goods to person” system, these robots are now doing the walking for workers, bringing components straight to their workstations. No more hoofing it for miles like a postman on a mission. Honestly, I’m tired just thinking about it!
And if you think this is just a win for the employees, think again. Customers can rejoice as the order processing time has taken a nosedive from 120 minutes to just 20 minutes! Yes, indeed, if you stumble in before 5:30 p.m., you can expect your order on your doorstep before you finish binge-watching that series. The future has arrived, and it operates on less time than it takes to decide what to have for dinner!
Even Mother Earth would approve; the site’s energy consumption has slashed by a cool 30% thanks to these energy-efficient robots. Looks like everyone wins—unless, of course, you happen to be a traditional warehouse worker who’s just been upstaged by a Skypod® robot named Bernard.
A Scalable and Flexible Solution
The beauty of the Skypod® system lies in its flexibility. It’s like a wardrobe that grows with you! Should the need arise, you can adjust it in real time with extra storage modules or even toss in some more robots. So, if you’ve ever wanted to be able to expand your business like a Tinder profile, here’s your chance!
As Xavier Lhors, Director of After-Sales Logistics at Renault Group, puts it: “Thanks to this solution and the teams in place, we will be able to increase the number of orders served by 25% and strengthen our commitment to customer satisfaction.” Because nothing says “I love you” like a delivery that arrives faster than a cheetah on roller-skates!
This ambitious technological transformation not only places Renault and Exotec at the forefront of logistical wizardry but also highlights a commitment to performance, enhanced working conditions, and sustainability. Hat tip to that!
For more details, you can visit exotec.com. Or, you know, if all this sounded way too technical, you might just want to stick to washing your own car.
In a landmark leap toward modernization, Renault Group is revolutionizing its after-sales supply chain through continuous innovation and optimization. The renowned French car manufacturer has implemented a cutting-edge robotic solution at its largest warehouse situated in Villeroy, Burgundy, in collaboration with the innovative French company Exotec.
This groundbreaking initiative, known as ReVA (Renault Villeroy Automatisation), represents a pioneering achievement in the automotive sector. The impressive facility now operates with 191 Skypod® robots, 14 advanced picking stations, and an extensive array of 67,000 recycled plastic bins specifically designed for optimal parts storage. This sophisticated solution transforms the management of spare parts logistics from reception all the way to shipping.
A major logistics transformation
In response to pressing logistical challenges, particularly the fragmented distribution approach and the absence of a centralized warehouse, Renault Group executed a thorough reorganization of its after-sales logistics framework.
Skypod® logistics robots can process up to 4,000 order lines per hour during peak periods.
The breakthrough technology employed in Villeroy now facilitates the centralization of over 80% of French operations on a single site, streamlining processes significantly. With remarkable efficiency, the Skypod® logistics robots are capable of processing an astonishing 4,000 order lines each hour during periods of peak demand. This exceptional productivity helped achieve the notable milestone of one million order lines fulfilled in June 2024.
Performance and energy, multiple benefits
This new level of automation translates into significant benefits across various dimensions. For operators, the streamlined “goods to person” system vastly enhances working conditions, as it now allows robots to directly deliver components to workstations, eliminating the arduous task of operators walking numerous kilometers daily—a scenario that posed risks for falls and hazardous handling.
For customers, the advancements in performance are notable. The order processing time has been dramatically reduced by a factor of six, decreasing from 120 to just 20 minutes. Furthermore, orders placed prior to 5:30 p.m. are guaranteed to be delivered the very next morning before 8:00 a.m.
From an energy efficiency perspective, the innovative solution provides substantial benefits. The facility’s energy consumption has been curtailed by 30% due to the replacement of conventional handling equipment with more energy-efficient robotic systems.
A scalable and flexible solution
The Skypod® system is distinguished by its remarkable adaptability to fluctuating demands. This system allows for real-time adjustments, such as integrating additional storage modules, deploying more robots, or modifying conveyors as needed.
“Thanks to this advanced solution and the capable teams in place, we anticipate being able to increase the order throughput by 25% while bolstering our dedication to customer satisfaction,” emphasizes Xavier Lhors, Director of After-Sales Logistics at Renault Group.
This transformative leap in technology positions Renault Group and Exotec as leaders in logistics innovation within the automotive industry, reinforcing a commitment to integrating performance improvements with enhanced working conditions and environmental sustainability.
To learn more about Exotec, visit exotec.com
**Interview with Xavier Lhors, Director of After-Sales Logistics at Renault Group**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Xavier! It’s exciting to have you here to discuss Renault Group’s latest advancements in automation and robotics at the Villeroy facility. Can you tell us what inspired the collaboration with Exotec for this initiative?
**Xavier Lhors:** Thank you for having me! Our decision to partner with Exotec stemmed from the need to modernize our after-sales logistics framework. We faced numerous challenges, including a fragmented distribution approach and inefficiencies in our processes. We realized that leveraging automation could streamline our operations, improve performance, and enhance customer satisfaction.
**Interviewer:** It certainly seems like a monumental leap forward! Can you elaborate on the key features of the ReVA (Renault Villeroy Automatisation) system?
**Xavier Lhors:** Absolutely. The ReVA initiative integrates 191 Skypod® robots and 14 advanced picking stations, along with an impressive array of 67,000 recycled plastic bins designed for optimal parts storage. This setup allows us to centralize over 80% of our French operations at a single site. The Skypod® robots can process up to 4,000 order lines per hour during peak times, which drastically increases our efficiency.
**Interviewer:** That’s remarkable! How has this technology impacted the working conditions for your employees?
**Xavier Lhors:** The introduction of the “goods to person” system has significantly improved the working conditions for our operators. With the robots bringing components directly to workstations, employees no longer have to walk long distances to gather items. This reduces the risk of falls and injuries while also allowing them to focus on more value-added tasks.
**Interviewer:** And for the customers? What benefits can they expect from this transformation?
**Xavier Lhors:** Customers will notice a dramatic reduction in order processing times. We’ve cut the time from 120 minutes down to just 20 minutes, which means orders placed before 5:30 p.m. are guaranteed to be delivered by the next morning. This level of responsiveness is a key part of our commitment to enhancing customer satisfaction.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a win for everyone involved! How is this initiative aligning with sustainability goals?
**Xavier Lhors:** Sustainability is a core focus for us at Renault. By using energy-efficient robots, we’ve managed to reduce energy consumption by 30% at the facility. Additionally, utilizing recycled materials for our storage bins contributes to our commitment to environmental responsibility.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, do you envision further expansions or enhancements to this automated system?
**Xavier Lhors:** Definitely! The Skypod® system is highly flexible and scalable. Should our demand increase, we can easily integrate additional robots and storage solutions in real-time. This adaptability allows us to grow and respond to changing market needs seamlessly.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Xavier! It’s inspiring to see how Renault is paving the way for innovation in the automotive industry while also prioritizing performance, employee well-being, and sustainability.
**Xavier Lhors:** Thank you for the opportunity to share our vision! We’re excited about the future and the positive impact these advancements will have on our company and customers alike.
