(Commonwealth) _ Arvato, a leading supply chain and e-commerce service provider, is ramping up the strategic integration of robots in its logistics centers. Following the successful deployment of robot-assisted palletizing and depalletizing applications across various locations, Arvato is now embracing the “justPick” robot item pick solution from Polish robotics specialist Nomagic. This move represents the next phase in Arvato’s comprehensive automation strategy. Situated in Dortmund, Germany, Arvato manages a vast 30,000 square meter distribution center catering to multiple fashion clients. The “Autostore Port Picking” (ASPP) pilot project, featuring Nomagic’s “justPick” robot, aims to pick individual item orders from the fully automated Autostore warehouse. With successful piloting, Arvato envisions extending the use of robots to pick orders from the Autostore system in Dortmund, part of its ten Autostore systems worldwide. Future applications at shuttle storage workstations and for pocket sorter loading are also on the horizon.
Axel Mayer, President Lifestyle Fashion & Sports at Arvato, highlights the advantages of the autonomous robot system, stating, “The autonomous robot system enables us to respond more flexibly and with shorter throughput times to our customers’ requirements by continuously processing customer orders especially during late and night shifts.” The Dortmund site signifies a significant stride towards a fully automated order fulfillment process, incorporating automatic goods provision by the Autostore system and robotic picking by the “justPick” robot. Christoph Echelmeyer, Vice President Operations and Head of the site, explains that Nomagic stood out as the only supplier capable of mapping both the pick process for order fulfillment and the returns replenishment process without altering the existing infrastructure. The “justPick” robot not only fulfills customer orders but also replenishes the Autostore system.
Arvato adopts a holistic approach to automation, encapsulated in its “Warehouse Automation Toolbox (WAT).” Markus Billmann, Senior Expert Process Automation and Future Warehouse Team at Arvato, emphasizes the importance of modularity and flexibility in their solutions. “We attach great importance to solutions with a high degree of modularity and flexibility. This approach is also driven by our high level of diversification and positioning in a wide variety of business areas,” explains Billmann. Arvato’s diversification spans high-tech, healthcare, and consumer products, each with a multitude of different articles.
Nomagic’s “justPick” solution aligns with Arvato’s vision, offering modularity and flexibility. The solution has proven its worth with a multitude of implemented systems, closely mirroring the use case of the pilot project and subsequent endeavors. Arvato’s commitment to modularity is evident in its focus on future-proofing and scalability, crucial in the dynamic environment of a third-party logistics (3PL) service provider.
The “justPick” robot comes equipped with a gripper tool changer, facilitating the independent change of various suction and gripping tools during container changes at the carousel port of the Autostore system. This enhances system throughput by minimizing downtime and idle times. Additionally, it boosts hardware-side capabilities, contributing to the future-proofing and scalability of the system for third-party usability. Markus Billmann underscores the significance of this flexibility, stating, “This flexibility is enormously important to us in the dynamic environment in which we operate as a 3PL service provider.”
Arvato’s strategic integration of robotic solutions, specifically Nomagic’s “justPick” robot, serves as a testament to the company’s unwavering dedication to embracing a comprehensive and adaptable approach to automation. As the dynamic logistics landscape continues to evolve, Arvato’s steadfast commitment to the principles of modularity and scalability propels it to the forefront of technological innovation within the logistics and e-commerce sectors. Arvato’s choice of the “justPick” robot reflects a forward-thinking strategy aimed at addressing the evolving demands and challenges of modern supply chain management. By leveraging cutting-edge robotic technology, Arvato not only enhances operational efficiency but also demonstrates a proactive stance in adopting solutions that offer flexibility and adaptability.
