"With this warehouse automation, we have found a solution that allows us to take over processes that were previously covered by external logistics service providers," explains Mikel Larrañaga, Purchasing Manager at Marcos Larrañaga, and continues: "This increases our efficiency and will further improve our customer service." The AR Shuttle serves as a high-capacity buffer warehouse for a wide range of kitchen utensils, cookware and other kitchen accessories for the catering and hotel industries as well as for private households. It offers 12,960 storage spaces for Euro pallets, which are transferred from here to Marcos Larrañaga's dispatch warehouse.

High storage density
The "AR Shuttle" is a compact system in the form of a channel storage system. Shelf trolleys transport each pallet within the system. To do this, the trolleys are first placed manually in the starting position of a respective channel with the help of a forklift truck. They then act automatically or by remote control by the operating personnel and store and retrieve the pallets. This is done either according to the FIFO (First In - First Out) or LIFO (Last In - First Out) principle. According to the company, the AR Shuttle stands for high storage density and a high degree of space utilization both in terms of depth and height. The system enables a constant flow of pallets and is particularly suitable for users with a high turnover of goods.

Keeping an eye on stock levels with sensors
"Our system is the ideal solution for the ever-increasing number of products from the Marcos Larrañaga y CIA Group," says Xabier Rica, Head of the Northern Zone Commercial Delegation at AR Racking, pointing out further advantages of the shuttle system: "An automatic control mechanism developed by AR Racking ensures that each pallet is registered using sensors with counters and the entire stock is continuously monitored in this way. The fact that warehouse staff do not have to enter any aisles or that there is no forklift traffic within the system also reduces the risk of accidents. Collisions between forklift trucks and the racking are also avoided, thus protecting structures and materials.