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22. October 2020The TGW Logistics Group has established a highly automated omni-channel logistics hub for the leading manufacturer of work and professional clothing in recent months. In Schlüchtern, Hesse, production and logistics have been intelligently interconnected and fully digitized.
(Marchtrenk) – Engelbert Strauss, together with its partner TGW Logistics Group, has been awarded the German Logistics Prize 2020. Both companies were honored for the project “CI Factory – Networking and Digitization in Logistics and Production.” The certificate was presented during the German Logistics Prize 2020 by the Federal Association of Logistics (BVL) on October 21 in Berlin.
Founded in 1946, the family-owned company Engelbert Strauss is one of the leading global manufacturers of workwear. The collections featuring the distinctive Strauss logo are designed for commercial use and are primarily delivered to customers from the trades, industry, and services. Unique worldwide is that companies can customize shoes, jackets, and pants in the CI Factory – turning employees into brand ambassadors. A special highlight is the glass shoe factory, where up to 400,000 pairs of shoes are produced annually according to the corporate design specifications of the customers – and at the cost of mass production. Engelbert Strauss has invested over 200 million euros in the flagship project CI Factory.
Digital Twin
For the first time, a Digital Twin was used in a project of this type and scale – comprehensively in planning, engineering, and live operation. The Digital Twin is a complete virtual representation of the CI Factory, which can be used to monitor and optimize all processes.
The Digital Twin is also a key component for the long-term development of the CI Factory: Throughout the entire project lifecycle, it will optimize the operation of the facility.
Omni-Channel Logistics Hub
The 94,000 m² CI Factory commenced operations in August 2020. In the so-called logistics tower, a powerful and future-proof FlashPick® system not only supplies production logistics for the glass shoe factory but also handles order picking for the delivery of online customers and stores.
“TGW was one of the guarantors of success for us in the CI Factory project – and one can also say, one of the key players in the entire project,” emphasizes Matthias Fischer, Head of Operational Projects at Engelbert Strauss.
Up to 50,000 packages per day
The TGW solution includes a combination of an Automated Small Parts Warehouse and a Shuttle System with a total of one million storage locations. Also part of the project: more than 13 kilometers of energy-efficient KingDrive® conveyor technology and 28 ergonomic PickCenter One picking workstations that operate on the goods-to-person principle. This allows up to 50,000 packages per day to leave the fulfillment center on their way to customers.
The concept is also already prepared for fully automated order picking with the self-learning picking robot Rovolution, which will be implemented in a second phase. “TGW was once again able to demonstrate its competence as a system integrator in this project,” emphasizes Johann Steinkellner, CEO Central Europe at TGW. “We are very pleased that we were able to hand over the facility on schedule. This shows that TGW is a reliable partner for its customers.”
Full-Service Package
Even in ongoing operations, Engelbert Strauss relies on TGW expertise. As part of a full-service package with a duration of 10 years, on-site specialists will jointly manage the facility with the customer’s technicians.
www.tgw-group.com www.engelbert-strauss.de
Photo: © Engelbert Strauss






