Less than five months after its delivery in October 2022, fulfilment specialist QLS is already going to expand its second AutoStore system. The expansion is necessary due to the continued growth QLS is experiencing. Co-owner Quincy Boogers: "The forecast is that we will grow between 35 and 45 per cent this year."
The past few months have been tremendously fun, but also very busy for QLS. Quincy Boogers: "Our current customers have experienced great growth and our sales department has also achieved tremendously strong results. As a result, we already have to expand the AutoStore system again."
The expansion was tendered to Lalesse Logistic Solutions, which also installed the first part of the AutoStore at QLS. "We have a good feeling with Lalesse. They are able to think with us and adapt to the speed at which we are growing. We experience the cooperation as very positive and are happy to take another step together. With this step, we give our customers the guarantee that we can continue to deliver the quality they expect from us in the future," said Demi Boogers, co-owner in the Dordrecht-based family business.
Further sustainability
The current AutoStore has a capacity of 70,000 totes. This will be expanded by 40,000 totes to reach a total capacity of 110,000 totes. The expansion should be realised by next September. Besides an increase in the number of totes, dozens of robots will be added to the system. In total, more than 105 robots should be running across the AutoStore by September.
Besides enabling QLS's continued growth, the expansion also allows QLS to become more sustainable. "With the further expansion of the AutoStore and the solar panels on our own premises, we ensure that all of our customers' parcels are packed as sustainably as possible. In addition, the AutoStore is a great calling card for us for potential customers," says the management.
Even more ambitious plans
Besides the AutoStore expansion, QLS has more ambitious plans in the coming period. For example, plans are currently being finalised to expand the rest of its automation too. The network of conveyors will be further expanded and linked to the new section of the AutoStore. A third packing machine will also be added to the automation. This will allow an even larger part of the parcel flow to be packed automatically via a wrapping machine.
Quincy and Demi Boogers: "This will allow us to get even more air out of parcels and offer customers a larger arsenal of boxes. Sustainability while keeping costs as low as possible for our customers is the main focus of the new expansion".
