With its new logistics hub, VSM now organizes worldwide deliveries of its abrasives from Hanover-Hainholz. The central goods handling facility has reduced transport volumes to a minimum and at the same time cut transport and logistics costs. The new building is the key component in an overall concept that VSM has been working on for several years. VSM has thus succeeded in separating the various work areas in packaging and logistics into an automated material flow level, a work and machine level and an automated logistics center for shipping. The latter consists of two levels. Loading and goods handling are located on the first floor. The automatic provision of the shipping pallets takes place according to tours, loading or direct sequence by the loadmaster. The upper floor houses a fully automated channel storage system with 1,600 pallet spaces on four levels. On each of the four storage levels, a storage and retrieval machine takes over the storage, sorting according to tours and the provision of the pallets as soon as a collection is due. Different pallet formats, from 800 mm, 1,000 mm and 1,200 mm wide and in heights from 350 to 2,200 mm, are stored flexibly. The extremely compact storage in the channel storage system requires intelligent sorting of the load carriers according to the actual loads and truck tours.

Networked conveyor technology
In the new logistics center, the individual functional areas were networked via conveyor technology. For example, the finished goods stored in high-bay warehouse I are directly connected to the goods receiving area. There is also a connection between the packing department and the automatic dispatch warehouse. This enables storage from all areas of production and logistics. The shipping units are formed on the respective pallets during production. The internal distribution of incoming goods flows takes place via a new transport level with a connection via a transport bridge. This connects the new area directly with the adjacent production areas, the packing department and the existing fully automated high-bay warehouse. The new fully automated material flow level leads to a significant reduction in manual transportation and avoids crossing material flows. The heart of the new logistics center is the IT with its own warehouse management system. This system is connected to VSM's merchandise management system via an internal data server. This also ensures a smooth changeover in the event of future system changes. When constructing the new building, VSM opted for a very compact design, as only 1,000 square meters of floor space was available.
The prerequisite was the demolition of an old, four-storey production building. The warehouse was deliberately integrated into the existing material flow and not built on an alternative site. Nikolai Wolf, Production Manager for Logistics and Packaging, was responsible for the planning and implementation of the new VSM logistics center. He realized the construction project in close cooperation with Detlef Thonke, the architect and head of facility management and infrastructure, as well as external logistics expert Robert Klette from Logistik Conzept.

Realignment with consideration of lean management
The implementation took place during ongoing operations, which posed an additional challenge due to the space available in this area. The conveyor technology and the high-bay warehouse were supplied by the SMB Group in collaboration with the IT company KBU Logistics. With the construction of the new logistics center, VSM deliberately realigned its logistics under the aspects of lean management. Great importance was attached to stable processes and efficient workflows. The number of material movements was reduced to a minimum. "We have standardized the processes like a construction kit," explains logistics expert Nikolai Wolf. "This means that even complex customer requirements are met with standardized solutions." However, reliable and well-trained employees are a prerequisite for optimal logistics processes. They receive in-depth training at Vereinigte Schmirgel und Maschinenfabriken AG and regularly take part in further training courses.

Intra says: Well networked

Automation brings efficiency, as can be seen from this example, and the more "brain" and experience there is in a project, the more satisfying the result. Logistik Conzept Klette has already worked successfully for Vereinige Schmirgel und Maschinenfabriken AG (VSM) in the past. In the new dispatch and distribution center, the number of manual material transports was reduced to a minimum and the functional areas were effectively networked with conveyor technology. Chapeau!