A new automated warehouse storage system has been installed at Maracon's warehouse, primarily to improve the safety of warehouse workers. The Konecranes Agilon warehouse automation system is an intelligent material management system that helps ensure the availability of the required warehouse products.
"The warehouse automation system commissioned at Maracon is 4.8 metres tall, 8 metres wide, and just over 1.6 metres deep. We gained a considerable amount of additional space in the warehouse, allowing us to improve the efficiency of our warehouse operations," says Maracon's Quality Manager Henri Kontkanen, whose initiative led to the acquisition of the warehouse automation system.
The warehouse automation system is based on robotics and operates on a very simple principle. An employee places an order at the automation system's "counter," and a robot inside the unit retrieves the ordered products for the employee. The automation ensures that stock levels are maintained at the desired level and that replenishment orders are automatically sent to suppliers.
"Suppliers visit us weekly to replenish the shelves. The warehouse automation system also helps and improves their work. Restocking the unit is just as easy as retrieving products," Kontkanen explains, adding that the warehouse automation system also makes stocktaking easier and reduces errors in inventory balances.
Boosting workplace safety
The introduction of the warehouse automation system significantly improves the occupational safety of warehouse workers. "Looking at the general picture, forklifts have unfortunately all too often played a role in serious workplace accidents involving warehouse workers. With the warehouse automation system, both forklift traffic and the use of electric stackers at Maracon will decrease," says Maracon's Product Lifecycle Director Jyrki Hyyrönmäki, who also points out that reducing the use of diesel-powered forklifts means more ecologically responsible operations.
Warehouse workers have embraced the new automation system with a positive attitude. After the commissioning training, the basic functions are already well under control and there is room to further develop operations. The system is easy to use, and the freed-up floor space significantly aids day-to-day work.
The greatest benefit of the warehouse automation system is for Maracon's customers. The warehouse now operates more efficiently, and spare parts and supplies move more swiftly both to customers around the world and to Maracon's internal customers.