Capacity increased and loading time cut in half

Fully automated flexible FSP shuttle for fresh and dry goods processing

The implementation of the fully automated flexible FSP shuttle for processing fresh and dry goods at La Provençale is a feat. The Stöcklin Group, supplier of intralogistics automation solutions developed a solution in close cooperation with the Luxembourg fresh produce wholesaler that, among other things, halved the loading time of their two hundred own trucks.

The implementation of the FSP shuttle at Luxembourg's largest wholesaler of fresh produce is complete. “Super interesting, challenging and really something for us,” states Guus Elbers, co-responsible for the company's Benelux operations. “This project is a great example of where we can put our passion for detail. Together with La Provençale, we figured out exactly how to arrive at the most efficient processes.”

Increased storage and retrieval capacity

The fresh produce wholesale business has grown significantly in recent years. With that, the need for additional capacity also increased. The close collaboration between Stöcklin and La Provençale resulted in a seven-aisle warehouse with 69 FSP shuttles for single- and double-deep intermediate storage of 25,000 totes of various sizes that can support thirty to fifty kilograms. An intelligent sorting and palletizing infrastructure for 21 loading docks has also been developed. The storage and retrieval capacity is about five thousand bins per hour, enabling the wholesaler to process five to six hundred tons of goods per day.”

Three thousand orders a day

The fresh produce wholesaler's processes are set up so that customers who order products can have them delivered in a variety of combinations. La Provençale collects up to three thousand orders a day and loads them through its 21 loading docks into two hundred of its own trucks. The company delivers orders placed before midnight the next day. Underlying these processes is a BOXer SRM deep-freeze high-bay warehouse developed with Stöcklin in 2016. Linked to this is now the FSP shuttle warehouse.

Reducing truck loading time was a key goal La Provençale and Stöcklin wanted to achieve. “That has absolutely succeeded, loading time has been cut in half,” Elbers says. Every day, the company collects and loads about 40,000 totes. Previously, loading took an average of one hour per truck and every movement had to be documented. Now this is all done fully automatically, which halves the time for palletizing and loading. Half the loading time means a doubling of capacity, without additional personnel. The goods undergo less handling, which improves quality.

Dive into the technical details at LogiMAT

The project at La Provençale does not stand alone. Stöcklin also helps to improve logistics efficiency at other notable companies with solutions developed in-house. Ciner Glass and ROTAREX, also in Luxembourg, and Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB) in The Hague are notable clients. Each project is unique, states Elbers. “We offer all activities under one roof, from planning and integration, AGVs and long-life services to software and even modernization projects. We will show this at LogiMAT, at our booth C 30 in Hall 3, and we look forward to the exchange and many interesting conversations.” A special highlight of the trade fair is the trade presentation on Wednesday, March 25, at 4:30 p.m. in the Forum North (Hall 7). There, Georges Eischen, owner of La Provençale, will give exclusive insight into the successfully jointly realized logistics project.

At LogiMAT, Stöcklin can be found in Hall 3 - Stand 3C30.