Vandenbulcke’s New Autostore in Lille

Vandenbulcke Invests in Robotic Warehouse System to Boost Efficiency

Herlies, France – Bakery distributor vandenbulcke is set to revolutionize it’s warehouse operations with a state-of-the-art robotic storage system, aiming for a meaningful leap in productivity.

Published: [Current Date]

Automated Storage Solution Coming to Herlies

Vandenbulcke,a prominent distributor in the bakery and pastry sector,is partnering with Swisslog France to install an autostore system in its Herlies warehouse,located in the Hauts-de-France region. This ambitious project, slated for completion in August 2025, addresses a 40% surge in new product lines, necessitating optimized storage solutions across its expansive 21,000 square-meter (approximately 226,000 square feet) facility built in 2021. For U.S. companies facing similar growth, this illustrates a tangible solution to scalability challenges.

Details of the AutoStore Implementation

The autostore system will feature two 16-level grids, precisely configured to manage both ambient and refrigerated storage environments. This dual-temperature capability is crucial for maintaining the quality and freshness of Vandenbulcke’s diverse product range. The system boasts a total capacity of nearly 15,000 bins, divided as follows:

Storage Type	Bin Capacity	Description
Refrigerated Products	9,500 bins	Ensuring optimal temperature control for perishable goods.
Ambient Products	5,500 bins	suitable for items that do not require refrigeration.
Initial Phase	6,500 bins	The starting capacity, with room for future expansion.

To manage the flow of goods, the AutoStore system will incorporate 20 robots, 3 conveyor ports, 2 order preparation zones, and a “fusion port” replenishment station, equipped with a double workstation. The entire operation will be orchestrated by Swisslog’s Synq WMS/WCS (Warehouse Management system/Warehouse Control System) software.

Swisslog's automation solutions optimize processes in warehouses and distribution centers. Discover how our solutions can transform your business.https://t.co/O2k6d6L69C #automation #warehouse #supplychain #intralogistics @Swisslog_NA pic.twitter.com/aX4c6oQhVD

— Swisslog (@Swisslog) March 20, 2024

Productivity and Efficiency Gains

The implementation of the AutoStore system is projected to significantly boost Vandenbulcke’s operational efficiency. According to Swisslog, the system will dramatically increase throughput:

“This will lead to substantial productivity gains and a reduction in fatigue at work for employees, because the system eliminates the need for heavy and dangerous machines and guarantees work flows without errors. The Autostore solution also guarantees hyper-exact traceability of expiration dates, end-to-end stocks and temperature management, ensuring the best experience for Vandenbulcke customers with command management in less than 12 hours.”

Swisslog Press Release

This translates to a jump from processing 700 orders per day to an impressive 300 orders per hour.For comparison, a similar automation project at a U.S. food distributor, Sysco, resulted in a 20% increase in order fulfillment speed. The reduction in manual labor not only increases efficiency but also addresses labor shortages,a common challenge in the logistics industry across the U.S.

This enhanced traceability of expiration dates is particularly crucial in the food industry. In the U.S., recalls due to inaccurate expiration dates cost companies millions annually. An AutoStore system helps mitigate this risk by providing real-time inventory tracking and temperature monitoring. The promise of command management in less than 12 hours ensures that Vandenbulcke’s customers receive their orders promptly, maintaining a high level of satisfaction. This level of efficiency is increasingly expected by U.S. consumers, driven by the standards set by e-commerce giants like Amazon.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

While the benefits of automated warehouse systems are clear, U.S. companies considering similar investments should be aware of the potential challenges. These include:

• Initial Investment Costs: AutoStore systems require a significant upfront investment.
• Integration Complexity: Integrating the new system with existing IT infrastructure can be complex and time-consuming.
• Employee Training: Employees need to be trained to operate and maintain the new system.
• Maintenance and Support: Ongoing maintenance and support are essential to ensure the system operates efficiently.

However, with careful planning and expert guidance, these challenges can be overcome, paving the way for increased efficiency and competitiveness.

Please describe how Vandenbulcke’s investment in an AutoStore robotic warehouse system, specifically addresses potential labor shortages commonly faced by industries, notably warehousing

Vandenbulcke’s Robotic Warehouse Revolution: an Interview with Logistics expert, Antoine Dubois

Archyde News interviews Antoine Dubois, Supply Chain Consultant.

Published: [Current Date]

introduction: Automating Bakery Distribution

Archyde: Welcome, Antoine. Thanks for joining us today. We’re witnessing vandenbulcke, a major bakery distributor, investing heavily in an AutoStore robotic warehouse system. can you give us your initial thoughts on such a significant move?

Antoine Dubois: Thank you for having me.It’s a very forward-thinking decision. Automating warehouse operations, especially in the food distribution sector, can yield massive efficiency gains. Vandenbulcke’s 40% increase in product lines makes automation almost essential for maintaining service levels.

Efficiency and Impact of Automation

Archyde: The article highlights a massive throughput increase, from 700 orders a day to 300 orders an hour. What specific aspects of the AutoStore system drive such improvements?

Antoine Dubois: The core of the enhancement is the automation itself. The AutoStore solution streamlines picking and packing, reduces human error, and vastly accelerates order fulfillment. The integration of both ambient and refrigerated storage is particularly clever; the dual-temperature control allows them to keep all their products at their peak freshness.The robotic system reduces manual handling and frees order fulfillment staff time for other vital tasks.

Archyde: The article discusses a comparison to Sysco and the impact on order fulfillment speed to a 20% increase. With the expected order fulfillment speed of Vandenbulcke, where is this efficiency coming from?

Antoine Dubois: Automation reduces delays, provides faster routing and less travel time, and can provide immediate updates to the warehouse management systems. The main bottleneck to the Sysco speed increases has been time; so, that the 20 percent increase provided a tremendous value to Sysco’s warehouse efficiency, thus improving profitability.

Addressing Challenges in Warehouse Automation

Archyde: What are some of the biggest hurdles U.S. companies should consider when implementing similar robotic systems, besides the initial investment and IT integration?

Antoine Dubois: Employee training is paramount. The workforce needs to be agreeable with new technologies and be trained to maintain the system. Additionally, you need a good data strategy to extract maximum value from the data that becomes available. Another factor is that the return on investment can be longer than other solutions. Companies must be realistic about the timeline and have robust IT support to prevent downtime. a fully detailed warehouse assessment must be done, including, but not limited to, all existing and planned distribution points.

The Future of Warehouse Logistics

Archyde: Vandenbulcke’s move seems like a step toward future-proofing the business. can you see more companies in the US and Europe adopting similar strategies?

Antoine Dubois: absolutely. The trend is clear. Labor shortages, the increasing demand for faster delivery, and the pressure from e-commerce are pushing companies towards automation. We’ll see this accelerating, with businesses seeking to maintain a competitive edge. The automation of warehouses will become the norm rather of the exception.

Archyde: If you were advising a company starting on this journey, what single piece of advice would you offer?

Antoine Dubois: Focus on thorough planning. Data analysis, careful design, and a phased implementation approach are critical to achieving the desired results, a mistake can become very costly!. Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) from the start and track them relentlessly.

Conclusion

Archyde: Antoine, thank you for that insightful viewpoint. This automation revolution is happening now.We appreciate your time and expertise.

Antoine Dubois: My pleasure. Thank you for having me.

Reader Engagement

Archyde: What are your thoughts on the automation of warehouse operations? Share your insights in the comments below!