EP Equipment is conquering the Dutch market with warehouse robots that perform a new task within ten minutes without complicated interfaces. With this, the company responds to the ongoing staff shortage and the increasing need for simple solutions for repetitive tasks. EP Equipment director Daaf Vunderink cites the short installation time and quick deployment as the main advantages. "Companies don't want a big impact or investment. That's what makes our EP Robots score."
EP Equipment's robots stand out for their ease of implementation. For example, it is possible to have a robot operate independently without linking to the warehouse management system (WMS). "The robot finds its way using stickers on the ceiling," explains Berto de Bijl of Smart Move Solutions, the company set up by EP Equipment to install the robots. "Via the six buttons on the control panel, anyone can set up the robot. This requires no knowledge of software or hardware. Within ten minutes, the robot has learned a new route."
Three levels of automation
De Bijl distinguishes between three levels of automation. Level 1 includes robots without a WMS link that receive their commands by pressing a button or a signal from another machine. Think of a palletiser that sends a signal when a pallet is full. The robot receiving the signal knows it can dispose of the full pallet and should prepare an empty one. "We recently delivered to a logistics service provider five robots that together can drive 240 routes. As soon as an employee scans the QR code on a pallet, a robot takes it to the right location. And that's without linking to the WMS," De Bijl explains.
Interface with WMS
Those who do want to link their robot with WMS opt for level 2. In that case, the robot receives its commands via that system. "A level 2 robot can also perform several tasks, including stacking pallets. In fact, we are then talking about an automatically guided vehicle, only a vehicle that can get to work within two hours. And that for less than half the money," De Bijl knows. "At level 3, we talk about advanced solutions with other navigation technologies, but that is not our focus. With the simplicity of robot applications at level 1 and 2, we can make a difference."
Price/quality ratio
EP Equipment's robots are attracting attention. This is not only due to their easy implementation, but also to their attractive price/quality ratio. For less than €12,000, EP Equipment supplies an electric pallet truck that can easily be used as a robot and perform ten different tasks. Those who want more versatility have a robotic pallet truck that can perform as many as 99 tasks for 25,000 euros. "We demonstrated the machines at Logistica Next. The interest was huge. We made quite a few appointments for trial placements," states Daaf Vunderink, director of EP Equipment.
Lack of personnel
As mentioned, Vunderink notices that the demand for automation of logistics processes is high. Many companies struggle to find staff and seek simple solutions for repetitive tasks such as transporting from production to warehouse or picking up empty load carriers. "In Heerenveen, we have a customer with a robot that picks up pallets of potatoes at the packing line and drops them off at 70 different locations in the shipping hall. In Enschede, a robot drives 300 metres back and forth to transport empty crates from one hall to another."
Automation Award
For its achievements in automation, the Vunderink and De Bijl team in China won EP Equipment's Automation Award. "We stuck our necks out in developing and introducing these robots. The simplicity of the solution means we can easily demonstrate them on site and convince the customer. This is how we introduced EP Equipment's robots to the market in the Netherlands. With this award, we have now received a piece of appreciation for that," says a proud Vunderink. "We keep automation simple. That's what everyone is looking for."
Both EP Equipment's robots and warehouse trucks are finally getting the recognition they deserve, says managing director Daaf Vunderink. "Proof of this is the cooperation with Jungheinrich, which, in collaboration with EP Equipment, has launched a new product line called AntOn. Or take the Kion Group with its subsidiaries Still and Linde, which have part of their product portfolio made in EP Equipment's factories. EP Equipment simply delivers good value for money."
Daaf Vunderink is director and owner of Equipment4U, EP Equipment's importer in the Netherlands. "Since the start in 2006, we have established an extensive network with now about a hundred dealers. As a result, almost every company has a sales point around the corner. With racing driver Tom Coronel as brand ambassador, we have succeeded in making the brand even more visible."Daaf Vunderink, managing director and owner Equipment4U
