Founded in 1946, the family business Engelbert Strauss is one of the leading manufacturers of workwear. According to the company, the CI Factory is the only place in the world where companies can have shoes, jackets and pants customized - turning employees into brand ambassadors. One highlight is the glass shoe factory, in which up to 400,000 pairs of shoes per year are produced individually according to the customer's corporate design specifications - at the cost of mass production. Engelbert Strauss has invested a total of over 200 million euros in the CI Factory project.

Digital twin
For the first time, a digital twin was used in a project of this type and size - holistically in planning, engineering and live operation. The digital twin is a complete virtual image of the CI Factory, which can be used to monitor and optimize all processes. The digital twin is also a key component for the long-term further development of the CI Factory: Throughout the entire project life cycle, it will optimize the operation of the plant.

Omni-channel logistics hub
The 94,000 m² CI Factory went into operation in August 2020. In the so-called logistics tower, a FlashPick system not only supplies the production logistics for the Gläserne Schuhfabrik, but also the order picking for deliveries to online customers and stores. "TGW was one of the guarantors of success for us in the CI Factory project - and you could also say one of the key players in the entire project," emphasizes Matthias Fischer, Head of Operational Projects at Engelbert Strauss.

Up to 50,000 parcels per day
The TGW solution comprises a combination of an automated mini-load warehouse and a shuttle system with a total of one million storage locations. Also part of the project: more than 13 kilometers of energy-efficient KingDrive conveyor technology and 28 ergonomic PickCenter One picking workstations that work according to the goods-to-person principle. This allows up to 50,000 parcels per day to leave the fulfillment center on their way to the customer. The concept is also already prepared for fully automated picking with the self-learning picking robot Rovolution, which will be implemented in a second step. "TGW was once again able to prove its competence as a system integrator in this project," emphasizes Johann Steinkellner, CEO Central Europe at TGW. "We are very pleased that we were able to hand over the system on schedule. This shows that TGW is a reliable partner for its customers."

As part of a full service package with a term of 10 years, on-site specialists look after the system together with the customer's technicians.

Engelbert Strauss and its partner TGW Logistics Group have been awarded the German Logistics Prize 2020 for the "CI Factory - Networking and Digitalization in Logistics and Production" project. The certificate was presented by the German Logistics Association (BVL) as part of the German Logistics Award 2020 on October 21 in Berlin.