‘Automation is not about technology but about total flow’

Solving logistics pain points is very sensible, but it may be done a bit more often with an integral perspective, argues Andy van Mieghem, Managing Director at Vanas. “For example, cutting packaging more to size is smart, but link it to things like picking and storage.” Since its acquisition by Modula, Vanas Engineering has been responding to the challenges faced by logistics companies with three divisions. “As a result, we have both a broad perspective and specialties.”

New trends come and go, but there are things that do not change. Van Mieghem gives an example: “Right now I see that the market is paying more attention to the packaging aspect. Companies are holding a little more stock due to uncertainty in the market and then logically look at storage systems. Naturally, they then also want to connect a packaging line. By always looking at one aspect of logistics with a particular focus, you take away the chance of a good integration. Or you make the integration more expensive than it needs to be.”

Master Plan

What the Managing Director of Vanas really wants to emphasize is that even in exciting market conditions, logistics operations benefit from some kind of master plan. “Look a little beyond this and next year, make a plan for the next five or 10 years. Of course, we can help with that. Chop the plan into pieces and start with the most urgent aspect. The great advantage is that by doing this at the start you already take into account the steps that follow and at the same time anticipate the other processes.”

After acquisition, Vanas has three divisions

According to Van Mieghem, Modula's acquisition of Vanas gives the internal logistics solutions provider even more opportunities to take on broad projects as well as provide specialized solutions. “The three divisions have divided the tasks well. Vanas automation is not a generalist, but specialism in itself. The Static Solutions division has static solutions for warehouses and Modula is, of course, the platform lift specialist. Some customers are somewhat smaller and there the supply and integration of a platform elevator may suffice. With e-commerce companies, we will rather work from a total package.”

Modula Flexibox

One innovative new product that Vanas can now offer in part because of the acquisition is the Modula Flexibox. “The Flexibox is three times faster than a standard platform elevator and can process up to 180 60×40 totes per hour, with up to nine totes side by side from which someone can pick. Great for e-commerce or assembly processes. If you place three side by side, the system spits out as many as 540 per hour.”

‘Look at the broader picture’

A company looking for a new storage system where storage density and performance are important should definitely consider the Flexibox as far as Van Mieghem is concerned. Together with the customer, our specialists and generalists look at the broader picture. Perhaps two packing tables are sufficient at the moment and automation of these activities does not seem necessary. But what if those two packing tables grow to eight a year from now?”