Edeka Rhein-Ruhr is equipping its new distribution centre in Oberhausen-Waldteich with modern food storage logistics from Cimcorp.
As part of Germany's largest supermarket chain, Edeka's regional Rhein-Ruhr business is investing in the company's largest construction project.
With a total floor area of 90,000 square meters, the ultra-modern logistics centre will commence operations in 2021 and create around 1,000 jobs in the region.
When fully operational, the distribution centre will supply 400 Edeka branches and 400 stores operating under other group brands in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In the future, it will offer space for around 16,000 different dry, frozen and fresh product lines, most of which require different temperature zones.
The food warehouse logistics solution from Cimcorp ensures reliable order picking for fresh produce.
The new Oberhausen distribution centre will be served by over 400 trucks every working day.
"For us, efficiency, costs and ergonomics were decisive when we decided on Cimcorp as an experienced automation provider for our fruit and vegetable distribution," explained Peter Bayer, project manager for logistics and organisation at Edeka Oberhausen."
Kai Tuomisaari, vice president of sales at Cimcorp, said, "When dealing with food, and especially with perishable products, accuracy and reliability are essential.
"The simplest rules of first-in-first-out methods add up in securing consumer safety. Automation also secures employee safety because robots do all the heavy lifting and repetitive tasks that often lead to debilitating injuries."
The new Oberhausen-Waldteich logistics facility has different temperature zones for fresh, frozen and dry food items.
"The order includes several independent automation modules controlled by Cimcorp software, which integrates various technologies into a seamless system," Tuomisaari added.
"If one module is out of service for a while – for example, when cleaning is performed – the other modules run independently to ensure a reliable material flow."
Overhead gantry robots handle food crates stacked on the floor, eliminating the need for an expensive shelving system and ensuring food safety.
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