Setting the Stage: Maersk’s Quest for Operational Excellence
MAERSK Contract Logistics, formerly LF Logistics, is a global leader in shipping and logistics. The company collaborated with Hai Robotics to address challenges in warehousing efficiency and storage space optimisation. Through the integration of ACR solutions, MAERSK achieved significant enhancements in picking accuracy, increased storage density, and improved operational efficiency. This case study serves as a testament to the potential of ACR technology in revolutionising the logistics and supply chain sector, providing a scalable and flexible solution to meet evolving industry demands.
Challenges: A Labyrinth of Complications
Imagine a warehouse – vast, echoing with the hustle and bustle of workers, cases stacked in high aisles, and every square metre translating to revenue. As demand skyrocketed, the walls of this warehouse began to close in. The real estate market wasn’t kind either. With skyrocketing prices, the idea of expansion seemed a distant dream.
Within these confines, workers were the beating heart of operations. Traversing over 16km daily, they embarked on the Herculean task of picking items from this modern labyrinth. But even Hercules had his limits. The exhaustive nature of these tasks took its toll, deterring many potential employees. Recruitment became a quest in itself, and with the turnstile of employees constantly rotating, training and recruitment costs escalated.
Couple this with peak seasons – times when the demand surged like tidal waves, threatening to drown the current operational capacity. The system, though robust, showed cracks, often faltering under the sheer volume of orders.
Hai Robotics: The Beacon in the Storm
MAERSK identified ACR systems, especially the Haipick system, as a potential game-changer. The ACR robots weren’t just machines; they were modern marvels, designed to weave through aisles, reaching up to 4.3m high. For Maersk, this was a potential game-changer. The promise? A revolutionary increase in storage density, without the heavy price tag of physical expansion.
But space was just one facet. The ebb and flow of demand, especially during peak seasons, needed a solution that was not just effective but elastic. The ACRs, with their scalable nature, promised exactly that. Need to handle a surge in orders? Simply deploy more ACRs. It was a dance, orchestrated to the tune of demand and supply.
Beyond spatial efficiency, the ‘Goods-to-Person’ mantra of Hai Robotics was a godsend for the workers. No longer did they need to traverse the vastness of the warehouse. The ACRs brought goods straight to them. The result? A dramatic uplift in picking efficiency and a staggering accuracy rate.
Customisation was another ace up Hai Robotics’ sleeve. Their software platform, tailored exquisitely for Maersk, ensured a transition so smooth, it was as if the machines had always been a part of the warehouse’s fabric.
“With ACR systems, the picking efficiency of our B2B operations increased by 2.9 times, and 2 times for B2C. Additionally, the storage density of the warehouse increased by 30%,” says Owen Wang, Vice President, Maersk Supply Chain Management Guangdong.
A New Dawn: Results that Speak Volumes
With 49 ACRs deployed, Maersk’s 7,500m^2 storage area transformed into a beacon of efficiency. The results were nothing short of spectacular:
Storage Reinvented: The ACRs, with their dexterity, amplified the storage density by 30%. In real terms, this meant accommodating 63,770 storage locations within the existing confines.
Efficiency Unleashed: With the ‘Goods-to-Person’ system, picking efficiency saw a phenomenal rise – 2.9 times for B2B and 2 times for B2C operations. The resultant outbound efficiency? A whopping 1,104 cases/hour, all with an impressive 99.99% accuracy.
Embracing Peaks: Peak seasons were no longer the Goliath they once were. By simply tweaking the ACRs’ working hours and leveraging wave picking, even the most formidable order surges were managed with aplomb.
Charting New Horizons: The Power of Strategic Collaboration
In their strategic collaboration with Hai Robotics, Maersk Contract Logistics didn’t merely implement an automation solution; they charted a visionary roadmap for the future of logistics. This transformative journey underscores the importance of innovation and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry landscape. The tangible outcomes and operational enhancements achieved at their apparel warehouse serve as an industry benchmark, demonstrating the synergy of human expertise and technological expertise. As we reflect on this case study, it offers both an inspiration and a blueprint for enterprises navigating the intricate terrains of modern logistics, emphasising the power of strategic investments and forward-thinking partnerships.
Learn more: www.hairobotics.com
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