For Haugaland Storhusholdning, StrongPoint has implemented the first AutoStoreTM Multi-Temperature SolutionTM with a frozen zone in the world. a functioning solution that is integrated into the client’s everyday activities.
StrongPoint, AutoStore, Haugaland Storhusholdning, MTG Technologies (Haugesund Ventilasjon Service), journalists, local business associations, and even the local mayor who cut the ribbon attended the official opening of the first autostore in the world to handle frozen goods on September 26. Although the solution had been in use for a while, this was the first time it was made publicly available.
On Norway’s west coast, Haugaland Storhusholdning is a grocery wholesaler that is a member of the DLVRY food distribution organisation. They discovered that they needed to replace their freezer equipment and increase their capacity. They could either increase the size of their warehouse or implement automation. Thankfully, the technology to solve freezer issues and increase capacity was almost ready for a real customer to test.
For a while, AutoStore has been experimenting with a frozen grid solution for their popular automated storage and retrieval system. Compared to a conventional warehouse with shelves and forklifts, the AutoStore technology enables up to four times as many things to be stored in the same area. Additionally, it greatly simplifies and improves the efficiency of product selecting and decanting. But up until recently, the grid has not been able to hold items that required below-freezing temperatures. Furthermore, because there was no software or installation partner that could have installed the solution, it was not ready for the market. However, StrongPoint was keen to be the first because of its vast experience in the grocery industry.
Haugaland Storhusholdning ultimately made the decision to lead the way in this novel approach. StrongPoint, the first company in the world to handle frozen items, will install an AutoStoreTM Multi-Temperature SolutionTM with a frozen zone. Knowing that it would take some trial and error, Haugaland Storhusholdning took the risk of promoting innovation since they knew it would provide them a totally different competitive advantage.
What’s unique about this grid, is that it is divided into 3 sections. We have one for frozen, one for ambient and one for chilled. Automating with AutoStore and StrongPoint gives us the opportunity to grow our revenue by 3 times.
Thorstein Kirkeleit, Business Development Manager at Haugaland Storhusholdning.
This innovation allows for multiple temperature zones within a single AutoStore grid, for the first time also incorporating a frozen zone. Haugaland Storhusholdning has three distinct temperature zones: -25°C, +2°C, and +10°C. The exact temperatures in each zone can be customized for each customer. The significant benefit of automating across all 3 temperature zones is much more efficient use of space, significantly faster handling of goods and order picking, improved working conditions for staff, and the ability to circulate cold air from the frozen zone to the other two zones, optimizing energy usage.
In theory, by StrongPoint and AutoStore’s estimations, a company would improve efficiency by 66% for each order involving 1 or more frozen products, and also save 40% on energy compared to storing frozen goods in a separate freezer.
Automation of frozen goods increases our operational efficiency significantly, and creates a safer work environment for our employees.
Oskar Kirkeleit, CEO of Haugaland Storhusholdning.
There were plenty of challenges and hurdles to overcome to make the solution fully functional for a customer’s daily operations. But, StrongPoint found solutions to all the challenges, including developing unique software for both operational efficiency and constant assurance of food safety. Today, the solution is a natural part of Haugaland Storhusholdning’s daily operations.
Our collaboration with StrongPoint has been excellent. Especially with our Project Manager and their support team. The support has been ready and available whenever needed, and I think that is important to create a successful partnership.
Thorstein Kirkeleit, Business Development Manager at Haugaland Storhusholdning.
Haugaland Storhusholdning is already seeing the benefits of the solution: fewer people are needed to operate the warehouse, delivery time and capacity have significantly improved, and the absence of employees has drastically decreased thanks to improved working conditions.
The warehouse workers are also very happy with the new way of operating.
“We are happy about that! (not going into a freezer) It is a bit horrible to go into the freezer and do the packing there. It is easier to do the packing now and it isn’t cold“, says Yuwathida Saimee, Warehouse Worker at Haugaland Storhusholdning.
“This turned out much better than expected. It is a much more efficient way of working. Before, we were always in each other’s way. There were 4 people operating fork lifts and we would end up queueing behind each other. But now all those problems are gone,” says Magdalena Svendsbø, Warehouse Worker at Haugaland Storhusholdning.
Up to four times as many things can be retrieved from the same location by robots. through StrongPoint, an AutoStore partner, offers highly efficient micro-fulfillment solutions made especially for supermarkets and other industries. Furthermore, StrongPoint is soon to become the first business globally to implement an AutoStore grid featuring a frozen zone for automated frozen item selection.
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