Scheitlin-Papier AG orders AutoStore system from Element Logic

The system integrator Element Logic is implementing another AutoStore system in Switzerland. The maximally flexible concept allows for a solution in the logistics center of the wholesale company Scheitlin-Papier AG in Niederuzwil, where storage and order picking are carried out separately on two different building levels.

(Bad Friedrichshall/Niederuzwil) Increase capacities, optimize processes, enhance efficiency – with these demands to strengthen their wholesale activities, the Swiss wholesale company Scheitlin-Papier AG has decided to build a modern logistics center in Niederuzwil/St. Gallen. Scheitlin-Papier is part of the international trading group DHYS Group and a member of the GVS Group trading cooperative. The new storage location is 20 kilometers away from the company’s headquarters in Wittenbach. An AutoStore system will be installed for small parts storage. Scheitlin-Papier AG commissioned the system integrator Element Logic for the design and project realization of the automated storage and order picking system.

As the first official AutoStore integrator, the company has implemented more than 200 AutoStore solutions. “In addition to the numerous advantages of the AutoStore concept, the proven expertise was a key factor in awarding the contract,” explains Claudia Scheitlin, co-owner of Scheitlin-Papier AG. The family-owned company is a successful trading enterprise that offers its customers solutions and products in the fields of professional cleaning, medical, hygiene, gastronomy, and packaging. The product range includes more than 12,000 items, half of which must always be available. In addition to standard items, Scheitlin-Papier also sells custom-made products and individually printed items to provide customers with “everything from a single source.”

System for 15,000 containers

For the new logistics center in Niederuzwil, Element Logic has created an AutoStore system for approximately 15,000 containers on an upper floor with a footprint of only 400 square meters. In the slightly more than five-meter-high aluminum grid of the system, up to 15 containers are stacked on top of each other. On its surface, three small robots from the R5 series, called Robots, handle the inbound, internal, and outbound movements of the containers. For order picking, they deliver the containers with the desired items to two workstations on the lower floor, known as SwingPorts. Two additional ports for flexible expansion in future throughput increases are already planned as frames in the system layout.

Installation between two building walls

A special feature of the system is its installation between two building walls. This allows for the saving of two side claddings. The ports are located on the building level below the AutoStore storage. There are also packing areas and shipping preparation, ensuring that the material flow is efficiently integrated into the overall process sequence without internal detours. To ensure separate fire protection areas for the two building levels, the SwingPorts will be equipped with horizontal fire protection doors.

Commissioning scheduled for April 2023

“Both in terms of adaptation to local conditions and regarding customer-specific equipment and future scalability concerning storage capacity and performance, the AutoStore concept offers maximum flexibility,” summarizes Joachim Kieninger, Director of Strategic Business Development for the D-A-CH region at Element Logic. “This allows us to develop and implement the optimal solution for every industry and all requirements. The system for Scheitlin-Papier AG will be one of our most interesting reference systems in the Swiss market.” The go-live of the system is scheduled for April 2023.

Photo: © Element Logic