 Improved throughput, operating efficiencies
and stock management, together with
significant cost savings, are just some of the
major benefits provided by a newly built,
fully automated warehouse, opened recently by
Coca-Cola Enterprises Limited (CCE) and
designed, manufactured and installed by FKI
Logistex.
Handed over by FKI
Logistex on time and on budget, this
sophisticated facility provides on-site
storage for the first time at CCE’s Edmonton
production unit, eliminating expensive
double-handling operations when shipping stock
off-site to local warehouses.
Housing 25,224 pallet
locations, and now the most modern of the six
UK-based warehouse and distribution centres
operated by CCE, the unit is designed to
accommodate future expansion of the factory to
meet sales growth forecasts.
Linked to five bottling production lines the
new warehouse can receive 200 pallets and
despatch 300 pallets every hour. Interfaced to
the CCE host WMS, the Logistex Warehouse
System handles every movement from receipt to
despatch.
Jeff Lamb, MHE
Consultant, Coca-Cola Enterprises, said:
“Edmonton was a stockless site, with all
production transported immediately to two
local warehouses. This was both inefficient
and a serious barrier to expansion. After a
competitive tender process, FKI Logistex was
chosen to design, supply and integrate the
handling systems needed for this vital
expansion. This built upon a successful
partnership with FKI Logistex established on a
previous automated warehouse project in
Antwerp.
“Apart from having
demonstrated an ability to fully understand
and meet CCE’s demanding requirements with
simple yet functional solutions, the price was
highly competitive. Another key offering from
FKI Logistex was its ability to produce a
system able to handle ‘retail-ready’ plastic
pallets that avoid slave pallets.”
Jeff continued:
“Surrounded by roads on all sides, the
physical constraints of the site presented a
unique challenge involving the construction of
a new high-bay building only 1.5 metres from
the boundary. Demolition and construction
phasing were critical but production was
maintained throughout the 2-year build.
"FKI Logistex provided
a strong professional project team, working
closely and effectively with project managers
Faithful + Gould, and builders John Sisk &
Sons. The warehouse was fully operational in
under 3 months from hand-over by the company.” |
