Innovative with logistics

Extremely rapid technological progress paved the way for numerous innovative concepts. Especially in the field of logistics, with fully automated high bay warehouses becoming increasingly popular. This solution is also at the heart of "The Barry Callebaut Chocolate Box". Thanks to SSI SCHAEFER, a global player and pioneer in this field, it has become a masterpiece of technical ingenuity.

As an international general contractor, SSI SCHAEFER implements complete intralogistics solutions with state-of-the-art systems and support services for manual, dynamic or fully automated warehouse solutions. "Our strength is that we can handle very complex and extensive projects," says Steve Vercammen, Sales Manager Automated Solutions at SSI SCHÄFER. "We have the know-how in-house and also produce all the products ourselves: racking, conveyors, cranes and software." 

Large and complex

SSI SCHAEFER is particularly strong in the area of high bay warehouses. In Belgium, La Lorraine, Lantmännen Unibake, ECS, Begro and Roger & Roger, among others, called on the expertise of this logistics expert. "With 'The Barry Callebaut Chocolate Box,' we have added a special reference," says Steve Vercammen. "After all, this is one of the most extensive projects we have already completed in our country. We were commissioned by WDP to build the 124 x 100 meter silo for Barry Callebaut with a height of 40 meters. It is a 'clad rack' building, where our steel structure acts as the structure for the side walls and roof. The high bay warehouse has thirteen aisles providing double-deep storage capacity. This allows this fully automated warehouse to accommodate 73,495 pallets. The realization was ambitious: the warehouse had to be operational in less than two years. This was no easy task, since we were in the middle of the COVID-19 period and had to contend with extreme weather conditions. In addition, continuous coordination with numerous other contractors on site was required. Thanks to good communication and planning, we managed to deliver this challenging project on time as well and keep the system running with our own Resident Maintenance Team."