Materials handling specialist, Axiom GB, has installed two automated solutions into Kuehne + Nagel’s facility for the company’s BT contract with the mobile network operator, EE. The two automated lines, a B2B weigh on the way tote system and a B2C packing line, have enabled Kuehne + Nagel to significantly increase the productivity of both of these operations.
Kuehne + Nagel’s 130,000 sq ft facility is the sole distribution centre for the EE brand in the UK. With 140 full time employees and up to 60 agency staff at peak periods, this busy operation delivers mobile phones and accessories in totes to retail stores across the country and individually bagged products direct to customers.
Reliably processing 600 totes an hour
Code named ‘Vera’ Axiom’s tote system automatically check weighs picked and packed totes for the EE retail operation. The solution processes a tote every six seconds, sending out up to 15,000 units a day, six days a week, to 452 EE stores and 150 franchise stores.
Nigel Henman is the Operations Manager for Kuehne + Nagel’s facility, he explains why the B2B automation was necessary, “When we were manually weighing and packing for the retail operation each individual could complete 15 to 20 totes per hour. As a comparison ‘Vera’ can achieve 600 totes in an hour. It would take one person 30 hours to manually weigh and process 600 totes – so that has given us a saving of 29 hours.
“We very quickly became dependent on ‘Vera’” comments Henman, “operationally you always wonder if a system will be as good as you expected it to be, but it’s been really reliable from the start. The fact that it can process 600 totes an hour is why we’ve now become reliant on it.”
Automation for increased productivity
To replace their manual packing line, Kuehne + Nagel selected an automated Axiom solution for inline packing of EE mobile phones and associated equipment, the system is code named ‘Jack’.
“Manually packing we were achieving 65 units per person per hour, with the Axiom automated solution we can push through 1200 units hourly with just four people, it’s made a big difference to our productivity,” says Henman.
“The automation particularly helps when we have a product launch. Before we had ‘Jack’ a major plan had to be put into place and we’d start at 4am and be working up to 22 hours a day to roll out the new products. Now a launch just goes unnoticed. It’s day to day routine rather than working throughout the night because we have the capacity to pack 1200 orders per hour.”
Working in partnership
“We have a yearly maintenance contract with Axiom for both ‘Jack’ and ‘Vera’” concludes Henman, “so they are both serviced at the same time. If required, any issues can usually be fixed remotely. Our staff are also very familiar with the systems; however Axiom staff are always on hand if we have any queries. We can call them at any time and they are happy to assist; their support services are excellent.
“We have become reliant on both of our automated systems because they have made such an improvement to our productivity. We would recommend Axiom to anyone. In fact we’re looking at other projects for Kuehne + Nagel at the moment and I know we will always refer to Axiom because of the good work they have done here.”
Axiom GB
t: 01827 61212
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