Recently, RDPP (RD Promotional Products), from Bergschenhoek, Holland, has increased the number of automated transmission stations from 14 to 22. 83,000 different items are stored in the Central Warehouse TextilLogistiek and can be packed by using robots.
According to RDPP the fully automated warehouse installation is unique in the industry. “For years, everything has been put into operation in order to fulfil the statement: ‘95% of orders placed by 3 pm will be received by customers the very next day’,” says John Rietdijk of RDPP.
Textile brands
In two warehouses of more than 42,000 square metres, over 3,595 different products from more than 85 brands are stored on around 12,000 Euro-pallets. A total of 83,000 different items are stored in the warehouse.
Each day an average of 3,000–4,000 orders for new goods are received. At the same time up to 5,000 separately packed boxes of customer orders leave the warehouse. The logistics for this must be properly directed.
New system
Previously, a warehouse employee had to pick the products for an order from scaffoldings, covering a total run of 60 km. With the new system, boxes are automatically computer controlled and sent to the packing station where the
packer only gets out the required number of pieces and prepares the order for the packaging department.
The basis of the system is 43,000 plastic containers spread across 1,000 square metres, over 16 floors. In each container is an item such as a T-shirt, polo shirt or sweatshirt in a particular colour and size. Orders from the ERP webshop system are sent to the storage systems where 47 robots sort around the clock the stock of 43,000 containers, which are transported to the packing stations, and thereafter automatically returned for dispatch.
