Hörmann Intralogistics has implemented an innovative logistics concept for the heat pump manufacturer iDM. The first objective was increased performance. Number two: inventory security and the third objective: an efficient flow of goods from planning to completion. And all from a single source. Looking back, Hörmann Intralogistics was the right partner for us as general contractor to implement this project in a short time and to be able to scale up to the high demand for our products. iDM-Energi
esysteme is based in Matrei in East Tyrol.
What we are doing at iDM? We develop, we produce and we sell renewable energy systems mainly heat pumps for the European market. Our problem was that we had to scale from 3,000 units to more than 30,000 units in a relatively short amount of time. And pretty early on, we became aware
that the logistics are our bottleneck. Hörmann has the ideal portfolio for this task. For a couple of decades we have developed
cross-industry experience and core competence
s in planning and implementing
automated intralogistics systems combined with added-value services. When implementing the system for iDM, we had to overcome some key challenges. Probably the most challenging was for two different
automated storage systems – that also work asynchronously – with different speeds to be controlled in a way that the picked goods arrive at the picking workstation at exactly the same time. Additionally, we faced the task of integrating storage systems that were already
operated by the customer,
into our warehouse management system HiLIS. Globally it was necessary to ensure
that a wide variety of container sizes in the material flow are delivered efficiently and on time to the workplaces and in production. Our comprehensive solution for this complex task essentially consists of a multi-solution storage system. The HiLIS warehouse management system is the beating heart of it all. With its flexible, modular structure
we ensure that all customer processes are map
ped in all process areas
in a fully digitalized and tailored way. Efficient and timely According to the just-in-time, just-in-sequence principle. Paper-driven processes – routing slips – are therefore a thing of the past! In addition, it was of particular importance for iDM to have absolute inventory transparency at all times,
i.e. to have inventory security. The largest storage system of all is the automatic high-bay warehouse. With its three aisles up to
93 pallets are stored and retrieved pe
r hour. These pallets carry, among other things, finished goods
as well as goods for production supply. Our innovative, space-saving AutoStore small parts warehouse is another component at iDM. Autonomous robots ensure that the picking workstations, also known as ports, are supplied with goods at all times. In addition, the electrical assembly takes place on the upper floor supplied with containers via conveyor technology. With the AutoStore and the high-bay warehouse
we are now able to maintain
sufficient supplies for our production site. The HiLIS software ensures that the systems
operate in an energy efficient way Of course, it's important when you change a system like this,
that you also get your employees on board. We had a challenging ramp-up period,
but in cooperation with Hörmann Intralogistics we got it running very quickly. There was also clearly an advantage in terms of occupational safety: we had a lot of manual forklift traffic in the past. Thanks to all the conveyor techn
ology,
we now could reduce that to a minimum. And another huge advantage is: through the intuitive
operating concept for all MDEs and scanners new employees can be trained in the system very quickly
and errors can be avoided. The large and small parts logistics are
united again in the picking area. Here we are dealing with the very complex task of bringing goods from the AutoStore small parts warehouse on the one hand and from the high-bay warehouse on the other hand to the picking workstation f
or the same order in a time-synchronized manner. In the picking area, customized conveyor technology from Hörmann Klatt Conveyors ensures an optimal and efficient flow of goods. Work ergonomics and stress-relief for employees is a very important aspect for iDM. This is made possible by using goods-to-person picking as well as lifting devices
at the pallet picking workstations. During the tender phase, Hörmann Intralogistics had already introduced very interesting ideas. The day of awarding the c
ontract had arrived. We were able to handle it relatively quickly with handshake quality and then the whole thing began, the real adventure began. We were in the middle of corona. We were in the middle of a winter construction site and under the most difficult conditions Hörmann still was on schedule. With this project we managed to achieve scalability at this location. That was a huge success. We are already planning to equip a new factory with this system. It was a great constructive, very ple
asant collaboration with iDM. Speaking for Hörmann: We had to manage some very exciting
technical requirements and we did so successfully And I'm happy about that.
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