Schwan-Stabilo is totally dedicated to the world of pens. Since its beginnings in the year 1865, the former Schwan-Bleistift-Fabrik (lead pencil factory) has grown into a globally successful corporate group which is the market leader for writing utensils in many countries.
Requirements
In mid-2008, the company began planning to expand and optimise the warehouse and order-picking systems in the distribution centre. This became necessary due to drastic changes in ordering behaviour, such as growth in fast-moving articles in small delivery lots.
When designing the solution, care was taken to keep the routing arrangement (1,200 load carriers / hour) and interfloor connections for the conveying system as simple as possible. As a result, the smallest cardboard box (L/W/H: 225x155x215 mm with a weight of 100 g) can be transported on the conveying system without any transport aid.
The floors are interconnected by means of a paternoster lift. The order picking is executed via 340 picking channels, fed directly from the aisle of the small-part warehouse, and a two-level pick-by-light system.
