Retail chain Zeeman is revamping its distribution centre in Alphen aan den Rijn. System integrator Inther Group is installing a fully automated intralogistics solution there, including a shuttle system that can accommodate 100,000 boxes and 132 shuttles. To make room for the new system, the roof will be raised seven metres.
The textile supermarket sells through 1,300 shops in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Austria and Spain. The rapid rise in e-commerce (Zeeman has been selling online since 2012) has helped to ensure that the current intralogistics solution in Alphen aan den Rijn is no longer sufficient to supply both shops and online customers.
Inther says it has designed a 'future-oriented total solution' for the building. The core of the solution is an AS/RS shuttle system consisting of six aisles containing 132 shuttles and providing space for 100,000 boxes. Besides the shuttle system, the DC will have depalletisers, twenty Pick to Light workstations, channelisers, Natrix sorters, telescopic conveyors and a semi-automatic roll container loading system. The whole solution is connected by over two kilometres of conveyors. To make all this possible, the roof of the building will be taken off and raised seven metres.
The operation will be controlled by the platform Inther LC, a warehouse execution system that links functions in the warehouse and supports all processes, from goods receipt to dispatch.
Zeeman and Inther have now started preparations. The system is expected to be fully commissioned by the end of 2022.
