How Amwittools stays customer-centric with smart automation

From one-man operation to well-oiled machine with nine shuttles, Amwittools' story shows how smart warehouse automation leads to sustainable growth, error-free delivery and satisfied customers.

A sober start with a clear vision

When Gerrit Roos became the owner of Amwittools in 2007, the company consisted of one person and one customer. Since then, the team has 15 employees and the company has an impressive error rate of less than one per mille. Throughout these years, one clear vision has always remained: to supply customers quickly and flawlessly.

Automation as a growth engine

In 2016, Amwittools moved to new premises. Immediately after the move, two Kardex Shuttles were installed. Since then, there are nine.

"We've grown every year for the past 15 years," Gerrit says. "Our assortment got bigger, our stock got wider and we started carrying new brands like Ox Tools, Bora and Tracer."

To keep that growth manageable, the company chose smart automation: fast, scalable and error-free.

Visual tranquility with Kardex Color Pick

The latest expansion is the Kardex Color Picking System. This system works with color-coded order pick carts, totes and displays. Employees see at a glance what to grab where - without complicated instructions.

"Previously, we worked with a put-to-light table in one corridor with six Kardex Shuttles. With the expansion, we created a U-shaped walkway divided into two aisles. This allowed us to switch to Color Pick with mobile order pick carts. Now we can work with two, three or even four people at the same time without getting in each other's way."

Extra precision with the Wearable Task Assistant

Amwittools also uses the Wearable Task Assistant (WTA): a hands-free device that provides step-by-step instructions. Operators no longer have to think about sequence or location themselves. The result? More speed and fewer mistakes.

"In a shelf rack you can still sometimes pick from the wrong compartment. In our shuttles, you really have to do your best to get it wrong," jokes Gerrit.

This smart approach yields the following:

• Less walking and waiting time
• Multiple people can work on one batch simultaneously
• Real-time confirmation of picks
• Fewer errors even with complex orders

"Thanks to these 9 Kardex Shuttles combined with Color Pick, we can scale up flexibly," says Gerrit. "And the error rate? That remains virtually zero."