27.05.2010

Schwan-Stabilo writes a new chapter

inconso integrates additional Pick-by-Light system into SAP LES

Schwan-STABILO is an internationally operating company group which is devoted to the life of pens. STABILO delivers to customers worldwide from its distribution center in Weissenburg (Franken) which opened in 1998. The SAP LES which was installed ca. two years ago now also controls the newly implemented two-story Pick-by-Light order picking with 342 flow-through channels which can handle between 3 and 4 containers each. As for the warehouse management and control system, inconso AG was responsible for the setup and integration of this new system. Because of consequent end customer marketing, STABILO is considered today as the „trendy pen brand“ for young people, especially in Europe. It has also achieved leadership status for “writing tools“ in many countries. The company growth continues even under the current less-than-favorable conditions. At the same time, the trend of ordering more often and in smaller quantities has intensified. Therefore, the capacity limits of the previous order picking was done according to the principle „goods to man“. Even in the proven three-shift operation, additional volume growth was hardly able to be handled. An analysis of the articles and order picking structures showed that ever fifth delivery was a single position order and 50% of the order picking tasks were for the top 100 articles. This structure offers the best prerequisites for supplementing the existing order picking with the strategy „man to goods“. Schwan-STABILO decided for the extension of an existing automatic container warehouse along with the new, currently two level extended order picking areas. Full automatic replenishment is done for these areas using gravity roll conveyors from the neighboring automatic parts warehouse aisles. inconso AG was given the order to do the comprehensive conceptualization, to take over the management and coordination of the entire construction project and to develop the required system and the connection to SAP LES. Thanks to the use of the simulation tools from the leading supply of consulting and software solutions for logistics in Germany, the project was finished on-time and within budget. All the optimization goals were met with the new Pick-by-Light order picking. Particularly the efficient processes with the double order picking strategy has resulted in the growing volumes being handled in only one to two shift operations rather than in the previously required three shifts. In addition, the logistics quality was increased with the new system. From the order entry through to the PLCs, the distribution center in Weißenburg is operated with SAP LES. inconso also embedded the new components completely within the SAP architecture. The system has proven itself so well since its implementation two years ago that Schwan-STABILO is rolling it out in its regional distribution centers in additional European countries.

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