UniPharma has doubled its storage capacity in Middelburg. The distribution centre has been expanded by 4,500 square metres and fitted with a new interior.
At the end of 2018, wholesaler UniPharma noted that the distribution centre in Middelburg had become too small. This was due to increasing volumes and the growing product range, which now consists of 43,000 items.
After the expansion, the building covers 12,500 square metres. The building is 15 metres high, offering more space for storage. Redesigning the premises has significantly increased the order picking speed, says UniPharma. From Middelburg, the wholesaler can now supply more than two thousand drugstores, pharmacies and supermarkets. Every day, it processes up to five thousand orders for web shops.
The majority of the new building features a combination of pallet racks and flow racks. The flow racks at ground level provide space for picking stock. The pallet locations above will accommodate 3,450 pallets, with bulk stock destined to supplement the total of 2,670 picking locations.
The storage of valuable items, such as specific medicines and cosmetics, has come under scrutiny. From now on, they are in a cage, with walls and ceiling made of thick steel mesh. The space is locked so that not everyone has automatic access.
The existing part of the distribution centre is currently being refurbished and fitted with a new floor. UniPharma says it is taking future developments into account in the refurbishment, such as the automation of the order-picking process. It is considering autonomous mobile robots that follow order pickers closely. However, these robots require an aisle width of 1.25 metres, which UniPharma does not currently have.
