Kuehne+Nagel relies on state-of-the-art technology for contract logistics in order to make the logistics process as simple and transparent as possible for customers. "The Skypod system convinced us because it is extremely scalable in terms of capacity and performance and ideally meets our high requirements in terms of performance and system availability," explains Tobias Schwettmann, Team Lead Technical Solutions at Kühne+Nagel AG & Co. "Klinkhammer offers the system integration of such innovative systems and is therefore a good partner to develop and implement tailor-made concepts for our customers' warehouse logistics together with us."

The flexibility of the system was particularly important for the logistics expert, as order-dependent fluctuations and growth phases are easy to solve. In the Skypod system, with over 50,000 container storage locations, the robots perform two functions: Firstly, storage and retrieval on the shelves, and secondly, delivery of the multi-partitioned bins to the picking stations. The system is easy to extend and can be expanded almost without interruption by adding additional Skypod robots, further picking stations or racking blocks. Up to four order totes can be delivered to the picking stations. This enables multi-order picking, in which several order totes can be filled with one item at the same time. A pick-by-light indicates to the employee which bin compartment needs to be picked from. A put-to-light system shows the picker in which bin to place the picked goods.

The Exotec warehouse is connected to a double-deep, single-aisle shuttle system with 2 lifters via a high-performance conveyor system. This serves as an order consolidation buffer for orders consisting of several containers from separate picking areas. Each of the 18 levels has its own shuttle, eliminating the need for shuttle roaming and maximizing performance. Within the shuttle system, the bins of the multi-bin orders are collected until the order is complete and then transported to the packing station. At the same time, the shuttle system serves as empty container storage to compensate for fluctuations in capacity utilization between picking and packing. The packing department with 30 workstations divides the flow of goods into bulk orders and parcel orders. A dispatch sorter is used to distribute the fully packed parcels to the various transport service providers, which ejects the parcels to the correct truck gate.

As a link between the warehouse management system and the control technology of the systems, a material flow control system is installed that can be flexibly and individually adapted to logistical processes. The KlinkVISION visualization system enables rapid alarm diagnosis in the warehouse and minimizes downtimes. The system is displayed in dynamic overviews and shows the current status of the system areas down to sensor level. Once system integration has been completed, Klinkhammer will support the customer as a hotline, service and maintenance partner during live operation. The logistics center is scheduled to go into operation in the 1st quarter of 2024.