SECTORS

The emergence of Coronavirus has caused a change in the habits of the people, for example the alimentary habits. During the emergency state the demand for frozen products increased constantly and it is confirmed by “rapporto annuale sui consumi dei prodotti surgelati in Italia” (IIAS).

Soavegel was born in 1935 in Puglia (Italy), and it is specialised in the production and commercialisation of high gastronomic products for the CDO and ho.re.ca channels. The production and freezing activities are managed from Francavilla (Brindisi).
The Commercial and Logistic Organisation allows Soavegel to be on all the markets and to distribute its products abroad, making Soavegel a leader of the sector.

Problem

In 2014 the company wanted to expand regarding production and resale. The primary aim was to create a third line of production to add to the twos already present and active on double shift; as a consequence, there was the need to increase the warehouse maximum capacity which was beginning to be insufficient.

Solution

Thanks to Automha, Soavegel started the path of optimisation which brought a revolution of the logistic scheme. The result is an automatic warehouse which is 17 meters high able to operate at -25°C and that has a maximum capacity of 4000 pellet. It is based on the work of 6 Autosatmover, the last Automha system for the automatic storage of the pallets in multi-depth. This device uses a power supply induced by cable tray that allows the machine to move with greater safety and freedom within the environment in which it is inserted, to reduce the long charging times compared to satellites equipped with integrated batteries and to avoid the necessary and constant presence of technicians to replace the accumulators. AutosatMover consists of Mover, a mother shuttle that runs on tracks perpendicular to the storage channels, and Supercap, the child vehicle, positioned on board Mover and controlled by the same through a Wi-Fi connection. To this solution is added another stacker crane system with Supercap on board, for the management of low and high rotation products.

Advantages

The advantages are many. Automation allows Soavegel to lower spare parts costs and the energy used without influencing negatively the productive efficiency, the storage volume is reduced by 20% saving costs and improving security and work quality. Moreover, it is faster and more flexible.

The warehouse

• Length frozen cell (-25°C): 1250 mq
• Pallet positions: 4,000
• 6 height level
• Height under beam: 17m
• LU: 800 x 1200 x h800/2000/2200, 1.000kg
• Allocation channels 900 ca
• AutosatMover: 6
• Supercap: 7
• Stacker Crane: 1
• Throughput: 105 IN + 105 OUT
• Management of the spaces:
• 2 sub warehouse with around 2000 pallets each (stacker crane block and autosatmover block)
• Anticell 15°C (preparation of products): 420 mq