Kardex Mlog Creates Logistics Center for RHW Logistics in Krefeld

Kardex Mlog has built a new logistics center for RHW Logistik GmbH at the Krefeld site on a plot area of 21,100 sqm, with a building area of 9,850 sqm. It includes a 42m high fully automated high-bay warehouse with 5 aisles and conveyor technology. In the docked logistics area, there are connections for goods receipt, depalletizing, and goods dispatch, an additional steel platform of 1,200 sqm for future processing of parcel shipping, as well as two mezzanine levels with offices and social areas totaling 1,250 sqm.

(Neuenstadt) The installed PV system covers a large part of the energy needs of Kardex conveyor technology and additionally ensures proper climate control in the logistics area through underfloor heating. The prime location in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, in close proximity to the container terminal, offers short distances to the dense highway network of the Rhine-Ruhr region. With an investment of over 40 million EUR, RHW Logistik has increased its storage and shipping capacities for existing and new customers by around 30,000 pallet spaces. The flexible concept of the storage and material flow solution allows for versatile use and offers RHW Logistik high investment security with various options for future adjustments. The processes between storing and retrieving, picking, and preparing for shipping are controlled and visualized by the warehouse management software provided by Kardex Mlog. Goods can originate from both automated and manual areas during order assembly.

Washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, stoves, and ovens, as well as other customer-specific items: In the new logistics center of RHW Logistik GmbH, around 30,000 pallets are now stored on minimal space. The goods are either stored individually as single devices on the load carrier or stacked in boxes. The high-bay warehouse built by Kardex Mlog has a height of 42m and far exceeds the other building parts. At the same location, a company of the corporate group already operates approximately 70,000 sqm of logistics space on 155,000 sqm. The area is used for storing and shipping white goods to large customers and is the location of a renowned company in the e-commerce sector.

Completed on Time and with Great Expertise

The assembly for the new logistics center, completed in December 2023, began in June 2022. The project management, including the technical and scheduling coordination of the trades for rack steel construction as well as roof and wall, was the responsibility of Kardex Mlog. “The decision for Kardex Mlog was easy for us, especially since a large part of the technology comes from our own production in Germany and the reference list speaks for extensive experience,” explains RHW project manager Martin Lentz, who is very satisfied with the project progress: “Kardex Mlog completed the project on time and with great expertise and reacted very flexibly to our change requests. It couldn’t have gone better.”

The high-bay warehouse is approximately 106m long, 38m wide, and 42.0m high. The delivery includes five stacker cranes (RBG) of the type Kardex Mlog MSingle B 1000/41-ZT with gantry equipment and automatic control. The single-column stacker cranes are equipped with telescopic forks for double-deep storage and retrieval. The devices, with a load capacity of 1,000 kg, were already lifted into the interior of the high-bay warehouse in March 2023 through small roof openings using a crane. Without reloading, around 30 double cycles per hour are possible per RBG. A DC coupling and an optimized control of the drive and lifting mechanisms, in conjunction with a regenerative module, ensure high energy savings and sustainable operation of the system.

No Waiting Times for Depalletizing

Also from Kardex Mlog comes a pallet conveyor system with around 175 drives and automatic control, two ground input stations, and a loop in the HRL pre-zone. Two depalletizing stations with scissor lift tables for ergonomic working have also been integrated into the material flow. The arrangement of the workstations allows only one person to be deployed at the depalletizing stations, alternating between the two scissor lift tables. Thus, the employee does not have to wait for the time required for the pallet change. Additionally, Kardex Mlog supplied two high-speed doors and fully automatic stretch wrapping machines. The high-speed doors are used to prevent air exchange between the HRL and the hall and unauthorized access to the HRL. The Kardex Control Center, including the system visualization Kardex MVisu, as well as the material flow control and the warehouse management system, complete the extensive package.

Preparation in the Loading Zone

The pallets recorded in the goods receipt are first placed on an automatic conveyor line by forklifts. On their way to the high-bay warehouse, they are scanned, wrapped, measured, and automatically diverted to a NIO line (NIO = Not in Order) in case of irregularities. Two automatic stretchers are integrated both electromechanically and software-wise into the conveyor system and the visualization. The identification of the transport units is carried out by automatic barcode readers located near the conveyor technology. The barcode is attached at a unique location on the load so that the scanner can read the data from the passing pallet.

At the transfer points in the HRL, the pallets are taken over by the RBGs and stored double-deep. During retrieval, the cartons stacked on pallets are depalletized if necessary and transported from there to the acceptance points in the goods dispatch. The partially used pallets then return to the high-bay warehouse. Full pallets are transported directly from the high-bay warehouse to the goods dispatch. There, they are taken over by forklifts, prepared in the loading zone, and loaded onto the trucks.

Focus on Sales Markets in Europe

RHW Logistik GmbH is a subsidiary of RHW Holding, which in turn belongs to the corporate group of GGV Handelsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG. GGV specializes in the development, procurement, and provision of marketable products in the white goods segment. The focus is on sales markets in the EU, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe. The product range covers nearly 600 products and encompasses a wide range of applications, representing technology and quality at a favorable price. Founded in 2006, the company holds various brand rights in Europe and Asia, including the Exquisit brand.

Photo: © Kardex Mlog