Small automated solution, huge economic benefit

Automisation for "Green Fingers"

Gardena, Europes leading manufacturer of gardening equipment and tools awarded the system integrator Witron, Germany, the contract for the project planning and realisation as general contractor of an automated warehouse and picking solution. In Ulm, Germany, Witron will integrate a highly dynamic system for articles to be picked in totes. This system will be based on Witrons Dynamic Picking System (DPS).

In addition to the complete planning, the scope of works of the project called "Picking System DPS 2006 comprises the Witron Warehouse Management System as well as Control System, the delivery and installation of the racking construction and conveyor system as well as the stacker cranes. The productive tests will start the beginning of January 2006. Gardena will use the system operationally in March 2006. The picking system DPS is based upon standardized software, control and mechanical elements and will be handed over after a six months realization phase only. Witron will also cover the professional instruction and training of the Gardena staff.

About 600 pick channels for 400 mm x 600 mm standard size totes will be integrated within the DPS picking aisle with a length of 52 meters. Partially the pick channels will be filled dynamically with alternating articles of the warehouse. This will be processed related to orders. Controlled by the Warehouse Management System, two automatic stacker cranes re-store totes that are no longer required and provide new articles within the pick channels which have been cleared. This way the pick front is reduced consid-erably. This results in a marginal system footprint, in short picking paths and with a significant increase of the pick performance. Pick-by-light displays show the picking location and quantity of the goods to be picked. Five ergonomically designed pick loca-tions are available. The DPS system offers double-depth storage locations for 8,700 totes. All processes are controlled and supervised by the Witron Warehouse Manage-ment and Control System.

With approximately 2,900 employees worldwide and a group turnover of 421,7 million Euros in the business year 2003/2004, Gardena AG is the leading manufacturer of gardening equipment and tools throughout Europe. The success of the brand name Gardena is based upon its high innovative strength and target-oriented product and marketing strategies. The current product catalogue offers a complete assortment of all areas of gardening equipment. Ulm, Germany, is the central distribution site and head-quarters of the company founded in 1961. Furthermore, Gardena is represented by subsidiaries in more than 80 countries.