Würth again chooses Knapp as its automation partner for distribution centres in Germany, Italy and France. Besides expanding its shuttle systems, Würth also chooses to deploy robots from Knapp. In addition, Würth France and Würth Italy implement the warehouse management system SAP® EWM by Knapp.
Together, Würth and Knapp have already implemented 18 automation solutions in 11 countries, which are continuously renewed and expanded. Würth and Knapp's joint interest in innovation time and again leads to new, future-oriented solutions. "Our relationship is not the classic customer-supplier relationship, but we see each other as partners. Würth is one of our key accounts with whom we cooperate to develop new technologies and innovations," says Bernhard Rottenbücher, executive vice president at Knapp and managing director at Knapp Systemintegration. The new projects in Germany, Italy, France and Hungary an outgrowth of this relationship.
Robots in headquarters
Würth's headquarters in Künzelsau, Germany, is being expanded with a clear focus on robotics. The expansion of the existing Knapp system will take place in two phases and will double the performance of the system. In the first phase, two Pick-it-Easy robots, six Pick-it-Easy workstations and two shipping robots for palletising boxes and containers will be added to the existing operation.
The central storage system OSR Shuttle Evo is also being expanded and Fastbox, a fast storage and buffer rack, completes the expansion. Knapp's software modules ensure that all processes in the warehouse run smoothly. During the first expansion phase, Würth will be able to process around 24,000 order lines per day from the OSR. In the second phase, additional Pick-it-Easy robots and workstations will grow capacity to 50,000 order lines per day.
Automation in Italy
In Egna, Italy, Würth is starting a major expansion project using Knapp technology. Three palletising robots, two Pick-it-Easy robots and eight Pick-it-Easy workstations will take the logistics centre to the next level. Knapp plans to adapt the existing system in such a way that Würth can continue to deliver as usual throughout the project.
One of the main reasons why Würth chose Knapp is their low-oxygen variant of the OSR Shuttle Evo. This means that Würth can store almost all their goods in the shuttle system, including highly flammable items. This also means a big cost saving for Würth, as otherwise a separate section with special fire protection measures would have been required.
In Egna, Würth is also implementing SAP EWM by Knapp for the first time to replace the current SAP WMS. The system is scheduled to go live in early 2024 and will enable Würth to process up to 27,000 order lines per day.
First Knapp project in France
In Erstein, France, Knapp and Würth France are working together for the first time to expand their existing warehouse. The OSR Shuttle Evo is also at the heart of the solution here. It is connected to the goods-to-man workstations from the Pick-it-Easy series.
SAP EWM will also be implemented here. Both SAP projects in Italy and France are based on an SAP EWM template, which reflects all of Würth's standard processes. Knapp uses it to conceptualise location-specific features and implement SAP® EWM at these locations. The warehouse in Erstein should be operational in 2024 and will process up to 50,000 order lines per day.
