As one of the leading manufacturers of work wear and personal protective equipment, engelbert strauss supplies customers around the world. Due to a strong growth over the last few years, the brand manufacturer decided to invest in a highly automated omni-channel distribution center in Schlüchteren, Germany, that would be capable of serving all distribution channels from one location.
The entire plant was mapped using a digital twin. This made it possible to test and optimise all strategies, processes and physical components in advance. Important key figures, such as the supply situation of the workstations, were thus verified before the plant went live.
As the order structures fluctuate from small to large and are difficult to predict, particular emphasis was put on the omni-channel capacity of the plant. A high-performance, future proof TGW FlashPick system is used for both the production logistics of the "Glass Shoe Factory" and the order picking for deliveries made to online customers and stores. TGW’s FlashPickorder pi system allows engelbert strauss to meet the requirements for next-day delivery and laid the cornerstone for new global growth.
The TGW solution consists of an automatic mini-load warehouse and a shuttle system with a million storage locations combined. The project also includes more than 13 kilometres of energy-efficient KingDrive conveyor system and 28 ergonomic PickCenter One picking workstations, functioning according to the goods-to-person principle. Moreover, the concept is already prepared for fully automated picking by TGW’s self-learning Rovolution picking robot, which will be implemented in the second stage.
During live operation, engelbert strauss can also rely on TGW’s expertise. As part of a full-service package, on-site specialists from TGW provide support for the system for a ten-year period.
