Mexico Baked Goods Provider Takes Cimcorp Picking System
13th March 2018
Cimcorp, manufacturer and integrator of turnkey robotic handling solutions, is providing the order picking system for a fully automated distribution centre in Mexico City built for Grupo Bimbo.
While Stöcklin is the general contractor responsible for realizing the brand-new DC, Cimcorp is providing the fully automated picking system also a vital part of the integral system. Peter Riesterer, Managing Director at Stöcklin Logistics de México S.A. de C.V., explains the cooperation between Cimcorp and Stöcklin in this joint project as being excellent and most professional from the first contact: “The finally realised solution is a result of clear definition of requirements from Stöcklin and the experience and customer-oriented approach from Cimcorp.”
Bimbo is one of the leading baked goods producers in the world. When completed, the new fully automated DC will supply over 100 smaller ones and run 24/7 all year round. Featuring a high-bay warehouse with 24,576-pallet capacity and the dispatch of nearly 8,000 pallets daily in approximately 400 trucks from 32 ramps, it is clear that automated order picking on this scale has to be 100% error-free as well as efficient. Riesterer explains: “The importance realizing this highly automated operation, with a partner not only having the experience and providing the quality, but also guaranteeing corresponding support services once the system is in productive operation.
Cimcorp will provide the order picking solution and the software that controls the material flow within the 3 order picking areas. Kai Tuomisaari, Vice President of Sales at Cimcorp, describes the solution provided: “The Cimcorp solution for Bimbo consists of three robotic order picking cells as well as our Warehouse Control System (WCS), which takes care of the material flow within the three order picking cells and secures traceability and real-time inventory for the automated picking system.”
Though a massive organization, Bimbo is still a bakery and has all the classic elements and challenges that bakeries worldwide face, such as continuously shorter lead-times. This, combined with the need for minimum footprint and maximum efficiency at the lowest possible investment and operational costs, put some pressure on the planning process. The project marks the first cooperation between Stöcklin and Cimcorp. “After a comprehensive evaluation phase, Cimcorp became a selected partner, this because Cimcorp, from all beginning, was convincing with creative solutions and customer-oriented approach,” Riesterer explains.
“What has been remarkable in this cooperation is the mutual respect and trust. It is our first project together, but I believe it is the beginning of a long-term partnership,” Tuomisaari says.
The new DC is expected to open in the summer of 2019.