Safety first

The Schmitt Group's logistics division is growing continuously. In the field of hazardous materials storage, Schmitt Logistik has specialized explicitly in the storage of automotive batteries. "The demand for storage options in the hazardous goods sector, especially for the storage of automotive batteries, is constantly increasing. More and more automotive suppliers and manufacturers are increasingly focusing on electromobility due to changing market conditions and new climate targets, and we want to play an active role in shaping the future here," says Sascha Weniger, Managing Director of Schmitt Logistik. "In order to meet this trend, we needed space for new storage capacities specifically designed for the storage of automotive batteries."

New hazardous materials warehouse

The logistics services expert therefore decided to build a new 5,500 square meter hazardous materials warehouse in Schwäbisch Hall (Sulzdorf), which is also a commitment to the regional location. With the new warehouse, which was commissioned in October 2023, the Schmitt Group has expanded its total storage space to around 250,000 square meters.

When building the logistics hall, the company attached great importance to effective and sustainable construction. It was built as an Efficiency Building 55 and equipped with an environmentally friendly pellet heating system and a 700-kilowatt peak photovoltaic system. Sustainability and efficiency were therefore also decisive factors for those responsible at Schmitt Logistik when it came to the fit-out. The aim was not only to create as much storage space as possible for the safe storage of lithium-ion batteries in order to be able to offer Schmitt Logistik's customers cost-effective storage of hazardous materials. The aim was also to set up the warehouse in such a way that other goods can also be stored in case the automotive market changes and capacities become available that can then be used for other purposes. Sascha Weniger: "It was important to us to make optimum use of the newly acquired storage space. That's why we were looking for a mobile racking solution for our new warehouse. The facility also had to meet the strict fire protection requirements that must be complied with when storing lithium-ion batteries. The fact that different charge carriers had to be accommodated was also a challenge. On the one hand, the batteries for electric vehicles are delivered directly to us by the automotive suppliers on specially designed steel racks, which we then store exactly as they are delivered. On the other hand, we store smaller lithium batteries packed in cardboard boxes on Euro pallets. We therefore needed a racking system that was designed for the different load carriers."

Mobile pallet racking for a total of 12,500 storage locations

Schmitt Logistik has opted for the mobile pallet racking system from Bito-Lagertechnik as a suitable solution. The logistics service provider has been working with the company for many years. "We knew that we were facing major challenges. That's why we needed a reliable partner. As we have already successfully implemented many large projects with Bito in the past, we could be sure that we would also have the right partner at our side for the implementation of this special project," says Sascha Weniger. But it wasn't just the positive experience of working with Bito that convinced them. The mobile pallet racking system with the corresponding equipment meets all the requirements that Schmitt Logistik placed on the storage solution for the new hazardous goods storage area.

In the new logistics hall, two space-saving storage blocks of mobile pallet racks have been created, which are separated from each other by a fixed double pallet rack. Aisles with a width of 7.30 meters between the fixed double pallet racking and the respective block not only provide enough space for moving the individual mobile racking trolleys. They also allow the passage of different sized operating devices and convenient handling when storing and retrieving the batteries, which measure up to 2.40 meters x 1.85 meters.

Block A consists of ten trolleys, block B of six. They can be moved individually or in blocks by automatic operation on castors in the rails embedded in the hazardous materials floor, which are manufactured in accordance with fire protection guidelines. This ensures that each shelf can be accessed in the shortest possible time. "The mobile racking system from Bito fits seamlessly into our operational processes. And therefore improves our storage efficiency. The simple operation means that employees can concentrate on other important tasks," says Sascha Weniger.

The mobile pallet racks in Schmitt Logistik's new hazardous goods warehouse are each 61 meters long and 9.70 meters high, with a clear ceiling height of around 12 meters. All rows of racks are divided into four levels of different heights. This means that a total of 12,500 storage spaces have been created on a warehouse floor area of 5,500 square meters.

Safe hazardous goods storage areas for lithium-ion batteries

Schmitt Logistik now stores all types of automotive batteries for electric vehicles, i.e. lithium-ion batteries and cell modules of various sizes, on the different load carriers in the mobile system. Special requirements apply to the storage of the energy storage units, which the storage system must meet and which were agreed in close consultation with the fire protection authorities.

The entire logistics area of the new hall is fully sprinklered. This means that all levels of the racking system, all connections along the mobile racking and each individual storage location are equipped with a sprinkler system. For safety reasons, all levels were also equipped with gratings, which are combined with thermal insulation panels in accordance with the fire protection concept. Depending on the size of the batteries, Schmitt Logistik stores one or two load carriers in a row on the individual levels.

Sascha Weniger: "Maximum safety must be guaranteed when storing lithium-ion batteries or cell modules. Many departments and people were involved here. Building authorities, structural engineers, soil planners, the fire department, the water management authority and the trades carrying out the work. For us, it was a large, successful project that we mastered together with Bito-Lagertechnik in just 427 days."