29.05.2008

Coop’s order-picking productivity increased 100% by introducing Pick-n-Go

Gothenburg - Danaher Motion Särö AB, the leader in AGV control systems, today announces a successful implementation of a Pick-n-Go solution at the Swedish retailer Coop. It is implemented in Coop’s main Distribution Center (DC), which is the largest grocery DC in northern Europe.

The traditional vehicle based order-picking processes include many unproductive steps, such as picking up empty pallets or roller containers, delivering filled pallets as well as stepping up and down from the vehicle and driving it. Pick-n-Go from Danaher Motion is a system solution that makes order-picking more efficient at the same time as it improves the ergonomics for the picker. The Pick-n-Go truck automatically escorts the picker and is always optimally positioned to minimize the distance and effort needed to pick and place products on the waiting pallet, resulting in reduced operator stress and improved picking productivity.

The Swedish retailer Coop had operating cost and capacity problems. After a careful evaluation process, the Pick-n-Go concept was selected to drive several picking process improvements:

Reduce picker time spent on unproductive tasks and time consuming interruptions by 50%. Improve picker productivity by 100%, leading to significant reduction of operating costs and increase of capacity.

Sune Montonen, Warehouse Manager, says: “Coop now has a leadership position in Intra-Logistics. We selected Pick-n-Go based upon the immediate and measurable productivity improvements. We evaluated fully automated and AS/RS based solutions but found them too costly and inflexible in comparison to Pick-n-Go.” The full potential of the solution was proven in a fully funded pre-study performed by Danaher Motion, making the financial decision process quick and accountable.

Coop’s first installation phase comprises twelve Pick-n-Go trucks, with a second, larger, phase underway. To ensure seamless integration with Coop’s overall fleet of approximately four hundred BT trucks, the picker trucks are supplied by BT (Toyota Material Handling Sweden) and fitted with standard Pick-n-Go vehicle automation kits from Danaher Motion. Additionally, the project integrates to the existing Pick-by-Voice solution from Vocollect Inc. installed by their partner Zetes IND GmbH. The productivity gains are in addition to the improvements from the Pick-by-Voice solution.