Schmidt Groupe can now automatically pick efficiently

With a Multishuttle® system and special container conveyor technology, French kitchen manufacturer Schmidt Groupe at its Lièpvre site in Alsace now automatically connects the warehouse with the order picking area. It elevates the entire material flow to a completely new level. 

Schmidt Groupe has made a name for itself as one of the international market leaders in furniture manufacturing and distribution, especially with its customised kitchens. At the site in Lièpvre in Alsace, France, various components such as fittings, side panels, doors and handles are stored and assembled according to customer specifications. 

“The Dematic Multishuttle significantly increases speed, storage density, accuracy and availability within the picking warehouse. In addition, the overall system enables high throughput rates as well as error-free picking, thus guaranteeing us efficient and reliable order processing.”

Boris Herrmann, Process Manager, Schmidt Groupe S.A.S.

Over the last few years, the company has experienced impressive financial growth. However, the limited growth options within the production facility initially prompted Schmidt Groupe to think about optimising its manual processes. It was during a joint on-site meeting with Dematic that the idea of automating the material flow was born. In the future, orders were to be processed more efficiently with the same number of employees, which necessitated a reversal of the picking processes to the goods-to-person principle.

In cooperation with Dematic in Germany, a space-saving storage solution was developed that could be seamlessly integrated into the existing building. The solution includes a multishuttle system featuring multiple deep storage with 5,760 storage locations as well as a tote conveyor system.

Within the multishuttle system, 12 shuttle vehicles take over the order sequence formation. The conveyor technology transports the requested articles to the various workstations. Thus, the intralogistics solution has completely automated the previously manual storage and retrieval as well as order picking of the goods and the entire material flow.

“With the Dematic Multishuttle, speed, storage density, accuracy and availability within the picking warehouse can be significantly increased,” notes Boris Herrmann, a process manager at Schmidt Groupe. In addition, the entire system allows for high throughput rates and error-free order picking. “It guarantees us efficient and reliable order processing,” Hermann continues.

Incoming goods are first collected at the storage locations in the system, transferred into standard containers and stored in the Multishuttle. 

Picking process flow

Order compilation first begins at the small parts workstations, where the employees use a pick-by-light system to individually load cartons with the requested items. 

Depending on the volume of the items, they are optimally delivered to three workstations so that the employees can always work with similarly large order volumes. Screws are picked first, then the A-class items and finally all other items. Next, the boxes are transported to the subsequent stations with special roller and belt conveyors. If larger items need to be added to an order, the small parts carton is loaded onto a tray and stored or buffered in the Dematic Multishuttle warehouse.

The multishuttle solution offers space for 5,760 storage locations on 12 levels. On each level, shuttles take over the automatic order sequencing as well as the storage, transfer, and retrieval within the multishuttle system. 

The filled containers and trays are transported to the other workstations via the conveyor system. During this process, a continuous scale monitors the weight. As soon as the order is complete, the sequenced totes are checked, the cartons are sealed and shipping labels are applied. In addition, the system has capacity to accommodate future growth.

The warehouse management system (WMS) software by Dematic manages stocks and orders according to ABC affiliation. The WinCC process visualisation system from Siemens monitors the technical processes. This system enables a simple and clear information flow of all accruing data and acts as a user interface. As a result, users have access to the latest operating status at all times and can use the data to derive optimisation measurements to improve performance. 

Overall, the efficiency of the picking processes increased by at least 20 percent. The automation allows an availability of the system of over 98 percent. The Schmidt Groupe’s summary is equally positive. Herrmann sums up: “Our goals in terms of throughput and delivery accuracy were more than met.”

Technical details

  • Dematic Multishuttle with 12 levels, 5,760 storage locations and 12 static shuttles;
  • 4 workstations for goods receiving;
  • 6 pick-to-light workstations for small parts picking;
  • 1 pick-to-light special workstation;
  • 2 packing stations in the goods aisle;
  • Dematic Conveyor System;
  • Dematic Warehouse Management System.

About the customer

Schmidt Groupe is a leading player in the kitchen and furniture industry, distinguished by its high quality, innovative designs and tailor-made solutions. The company was founded in 1934 by Hubert Schmidt in Türkismühle (Saarland, Germany) and moved to Alsace, France in 1959, opening its new headquarters in Lièpvre in the Val d’Argent. The products are marketed under the Schmidt and Cuisinella brands.

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