System supplier of intra-logistics starts initiative for modern cold store logistics. The company-internal sector know-how is now concentrated in the new business unit "Cold Store" - One contact person for automated cold store warehouses who offers everything from one source - if necessary also including construction and IT.

SSI Schaefer has now bundled Giebelstadt´s competencies for automation in the cold store logistics in a special business unit. It is the objective of the warehouse and conveyor system specialist to provide the industry with only one contact person for all areas of the automated warehouse management and stock turnover. The business activities range from the planning of automated warehouse and order-picking systems to the retrofitting up to implementation of turnkey systems. "The existing warehouse capacities can be extended significantly by the modern warehouse systems and optimized process sequences." says Jörg Wurlitzer, Sales Director Unit Load Solutions whom responsible for the new Busines Unit Cold Store. "Further more they improve the security and the health protection for all cold store employees."

SSI Schaefer has implemented trend-setting reference systems worldwide in the recent years. Therefore, the system compentence is generated based on the long-time experience as general contractor in many projects. With this industry know-how systems and components are adjusted to the requirements of the cold store sector, the corresponding range of products and services is as versatile as the number of different SKU handled in a cold store system. It is thereby a balance between manual handling and automation with high throughput at less personnel. Meanwhile, simple warehouse systems, satellite storage systems and double-deep high-bay warehouses are also available for automatic handling.

At corresponding system designs, the SSI Business Unit cold store reflects the change in the deep-freeze sector at first instance. Referring to modern environment, conventional old systems are barely suitable for safety and efficiency aspects. 12 meters high rack rows with single-deep warehouse positions offer flexibility at the warehouse processes, but no optimized space and energy utilization.

Instead even mobile racking systems provide more warehouse consolidation and energy efficiency. Partial automation - such as with driverless, laser-controlled order-picking forklifts - reduces not only error rates and personnel costs, but also increases the safety in the deep-freeze warehouse.

"Fast Beats Slow is the formula of the consolidation process. Whoever wants to survive in the competition, needs to modernize and extend its systems. "Low storage costs on the one hand, flexibility, reliability, speed and traceability on the other hand - this is the area of conflict of the market requirements", says Wurlitzer. "The SSI Schaefer Business Unit cold store can show modern optimization approaches to the users from the deep-freeze sector, together with the customers we will develop the individualized and best solution."