The conversion work and the installation of AutoStore at Siedle took place during ongoing operations. The ramp-up began in May 2020 and final acceptance took place at the end of July 2020.

S. Siedle & Söhne is a seventh-generation Black Forest family business that manufactures building communication technology. In 2018, Siedle decided to modernize its warehouse processes and technology. "A change in logistics was unavoidable in order to meet the requirements of customers and production in terms of the reliability and performance of the warehouse," says Rainer Broghammer, Head of Logistics at Siedle. "In addition, optimal space utilization was to be achieved and the high-bay warehouse (HBW) was to be relieved - ideally without major structural changes and with moderate investment," Broghammer continues.

The existing small parts warehouse with its storage and retrieval machines (SRMs) was reaching its limits, particularly when production was to be converted to order-related provision. After commissioning io-consultants, the first step was to analyze all the data and processes. After weighing up all the important parameters for Siedle, the decision was made in favor of an integrated pick & pack concept based on an AutoStore system as the successor to the outdated small parts warehouse. "The flexible processes in the AutoStore area will significantly relieve our existing high-bay warehouse (HBW) in terms of both capacity and performance. Order consolidation for deliveries to production is now possible thanks to the new layout and the additional space. A new material flow computer for the HBW, integrated as an add-on in SAP WM, has reduced interfaces and made us less dependent on external suppliers. By redesigning all goods flows, we have significantly improved transparency and throughput times and increased the overall performance of the entire system. For us, the AutoStore system fits perfectly into the existing structures," says Broghammer with satisfaction.