ELEKTROSKANDIA STRENGTHENS LOGISTICS WITH AUTOSTORE

Elektroskandia Norge AS, Norway’s largest electronics Wholesaler and part of the world leader in the electrical market, Rexel, has signed a contract with Element Logic AS to deliver the Automated Storage- and Retrieval System AutoStore. To be a preferred partner in the electrical chain, it’s required to have a wide range of products, competitive prices and efficient logistics. From their centralized warehouse in Alfaset, Norway, Elektroskandia is already a leading supplier in Norway and will, with AutoStore, strengthen their competitive strength even more.

Increased efficiency
AutoStore will, with it’s 18 000 bins and 1 350 m3 storage capacity, handle more than 60% of all orders. ”By gathering the majority of our internal goods-flow in AutoStore we will increase efficiency and reduce the amount of unnecessary parcels delivered. In other words, saving costs and more satisfied customers”, says Distribution Director, Arild Brennholm.

Extreme compact storage saves more than 1000 m2	Goods-to-man increases productivity

Extreme space-saving
AutoStore’s unique use of space enables Elektroskandia to free more than 1000 m2. ”The enormous space reduction enable us to cancel a planned expansion of our warehouse.  It would have had higher costs without improving productivity. AutoStore allows us to store more products in less space while at the same time increasing productivity. The flexibility of this solution also gives us the assurance that we will be able to handle a large increase of volume in the future”, finishes Brennholm.

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DOUBLED PRODUCTIVITY AT STORMBERG – Triples the size of AutoStore

The commissioning of the Automated Storage & Retrieval System AutoStore in June 2011 became the launch pad for a new era at Stormberg, one of the leading Norwegian suppliers of sports- and leisure wear.

Use of space and efficient picking: 80% of picking on only 30% of the space	Flexible scaleability: Increased storage- and picking capacity in 2012

Increased productivity and cost savings
Several years with increased growth have lead to high pressure on both storage- and handling capacity in the warehouse and thus increasing costs. AutoStore has dampened this pressure through its efficiency and excellent use of space. ”Because AutoStore is so compact, we have increased our storage capacity significantly without the need of expanding the building. Today we handle 80% of all the picks from AutoStore.” says logistics manager Jens Christian Iglebæk. There is no doubt that AutoStore has increased efficiency ”With AutoStore, we have doubled the capacity through the warehouse without having to hire more warehouse staff. The cost per order line has been radically reduced.” continues Mr. Iglebæk with great satisfaction.

Meeting the future with a tripled AutoStore
Even if the amount of goods handled by the warehouse in 2011 have doubled compared with last year, a strong continued growth is expected. Stormberg has therefore placed an order for an expansion of the system in 2012. ”Before the summer of 2012 will we have tripled the size of the system. We want to have as much activity in AutoStore as possible since this is what gives us optimal use of space and efficiency – and thus lowest costs” , finishes Iglebæk. 

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Stormberg reduces costs with Autostore
Stormberg, Norways leading sports- and outdoorsupplier, has signed an agreement with Element Logic for the implementation of the Automatic Storage and Retrievalsystem AutoStore.

Since its start in 1998, Stormberg has grown to be one of the leading suppliers of sports- and outdoorproduccts in Norwah and in 2009 sold more than 1,4 million items through 400 sportshops and the internet.  

Ultracompact storage: Same amount of articles on only 30% of the space	Optimization of picking and put-away: 300% more pickings per operator/hour

Stormbergs growth has also increased costs and has seen a steadily growing pressure on storage- and handlingcapacity. The highly competitive market the past year has led to a special focus on reducing costs. ”Increasing prices to the level of our competitors has not been an alternative”, says logistics manager Jens-Christian Iglebæk, and continues: ”Stormbergs customers will also in the future receive a lot of value for money. With AutoStore we can handle our products at a lower cost. Not only because we can store more products on a significantly smaller space but also because we can manage growth and increase of volume in a more efficient way.”

AutoStore, with it’s 14 000 boxes and 1 050m3 of storagespace, will managae a large portion of all the items in the warehouse. ”We’ve estimated to move our entire static storage, approx. 2 000 storage locations, into AutoStore but only use 30% of the previously occupied storagespace”, finishes Iglebæk
 

Efficient warehouse contributes to lower prices.
During the summer of 2010, Element Logic implemented the Automatic Storage & Retrievalsystem AutoStore at the central warehouse of XXL Sport & Outdoor in Gardermoen, Norway.

Use of space and frequent deliveries
Efficient logistics are critical for XXL to provide their customers with known brands at lower prices. “The right product must always be available for our customers”, says warehouse manager Geir Nielsen.

Facts on XXL Sport & Outdoor:
• Norway’s third largest sportssupplier
• Best growth (65% increase in 2009)
• Strategy: Known brands at lower prices
• 14 shops in Norway
• Newly opened shops in Sweden and more on the way
• 175 employees
• Current revenue approx. 1,5 billion NOK
• Website: XXL.no  

Facts on AutoStore:
• 10 000 boxes (75 l)
• 750 m3 storagespace
• 250 m2 floorspace
• 4 ports for picking and/or put-away
• Daily handles goods with a total value of 1 million NOK
• Implemented in existing building under full operation

The main warehouse in Gardermoen is known for it’s high flow of goods and frequent deliveries to it’s shops. AutoStore, with it’s 10 000 boxes and 750m3 of storagespace, manages a large amount of  the small to medium large items. Everyday, a value of about 1 million NOK passes through the system. ”With it’s extreme spaceefficient way, AutoStore has increased our storagecapacity significantly and at the same time allowed us to provide our shops with quick deliveries”, continues Nielsen.
Profitable investment. 
XXL is very satisfied with the investment. ”It was very important for us to quickly get started once we decided on AutoStore as a solution. The project was smooth and painless and we are especially satisfied with being able to use the system a 100% from day one. The fact that cost reductions are even better than estimated makes it even better”, finishes Nielsen.
Element Logic is proud about cooperating with Norway’s strongest growing sportschain. ”XXL confirms how important logistics are for compatitive strength. To be able to supply goods from producer to customer in the cheapest way, demands a lower cost of handling the goods. Constant productavailability requires a high level of service. XXL’s choice of AutoStore’s central role in their logistics strategy is a confirmation of AutoStore’s potential in optimizing warehouse management”, says Terje Skjølberg.