"We chose Dematic because they were the only provider able to double the storage capacity on the existing premises," says Stijn Siongers, owner and managing director of Sivafrost bvba. The company's core business includes the packaging and temporary storage of frozen products of all kinds. With this in mind, the company has invested in automated packaging lines, innovative logistics solutions and additional services in recent years.

Four fully automated storage and retrieval machines from Dematic are now taking over the automatic storage and retrieval of all pallets of frozen products in the new deep-freeze warehouse, which is around 40 meters high. In order to make optimum use of the limited space available on the Sivafrost premises, Dematic has connected the existing company building to the new deep-freeze high-bay warehouse via a tunnel equipped with conveyor systems and pallet elevators. In addition, the six loading docks located below the new building were arranged diagonally. "Thanks to Dematic's advice, we were able to double our capacity with the fully automated deep-freeze high-bay warehouse and now no longer have to turn down customers who want to temporarily store their products with us," says Siongers.

Another reason why Sivafrost opted for Dematic is its many years of experience in the automation of deep-freeze storage facilities. "The investment represents a strategic investment for our company, which also secures our future activities," says Siongers. In addition to increasing capacity, the new automated deep-freeze warehouse also opens up new opportunities to improve logistics processes and the quality of customer service. "Thanks to full automation, we also reduce the risk of errors and transport damage," says Siongers. Dematic supplied Sivafrost with a solution that enables all pallets to be placed on and removed from circulation pallets to avoid disruption to conveyors and elevators.

But Dematic also benefited from the special requirements of the order from Sivafrost, emphasizes Sacha van Droogenbroeck, Senior Director SD and Managing Director of Dematic NV: "The installation and automation of a deep-freeze high-bay warehouse and its integration into existing logistics processes on a site with limited space required more creativity and specialist knowledge than other projects." As Sivafrost also works with other Dematic customers, such as Agristo, the intralogistics expert will further strengthen its market position in the deep-freeze storage sector with this project.