Swedish shoe giant builds fully automated distribution centre

- Nilson Group in Varberg, Sweden, has placed an order with Moving for the delivery of an automated storage and transport system. The first phases of the system, including e.g. automated cranes, must be in operation in autumn 2007, and the entire system is expected to be fully operational in spring 2008. Operating the DinSko, Nilson, Skopunkten, Jerns and Radical Sports shops, Nilson Group is Sweden’s leading retailer within shoes. In addition to Sweden, Nilson Group’s shoe shops can also be found in Denmark, Norway and Finland.

Not surprisingly, the order for the storage system went to Moving. In recent years, Moving has developed a new automated crane system and now offers a solution which is far more flexible than the traditional systems previously on the market. The fundamental principle is that the crane system is capable of handling cartons of different sizes in the same working cycle.

As most of the cartons delivered to Nilson Group are loaded loosely in containers from Asia, Nilson Group was interested in a solution allowing them to send the cartons directly from the container to an automated carton storage facility instead of having to use the expensive and more labour-intensive solution of intermediate storage on pallets. “As we have previously delivered a similar system to a customer in Finland, we visited this installation together with representatives from Nilson Group. Here, we could show the principles and the technology “live” and, following this, Nilson Group asked us to prepare a proposal for a solution customised to suit their company,” says Bengt Olofsson, Sales Manager at Moving in Sweden.

What is unique about the solution is the automated crane storage which will be the first of its kind in Sweden where different carton sizes are mixed in the same location. An overall warehouse control system keeps track of where the different cartons are placed in the storage facility. In addition to an extensive and complex transport system, the solution also comprises a robot-controlled system for automatic palletising. This is all part of a complete solution from Moving handling the goods from their arrival to the distribution centre until they are ready to be dispatched to the many Nilson Group shops.

For further information, please contact Moving