A key element of the technological equipment in this center are underpass robots known as turtles, which reach a speed of movement of up to two meters per second. 20 of these robots are currently deployed in Paskov, serving two dispatch and two receiving workplaces.

At the time of the conference, the center had 300 storage racks, which were subsequently increased by 100. Each shelf has a capacity of 1,600 liters of assortment and a floor plan of one meter per meter. An important feature of these shelves is their accessibility from four sides, which enables flexibility and maximum use of storage space. The standard gap between the racks was 25 cm, but thanks to the strengthening of the racks, it was possible to narrow it down to 10 cm.

Robotization and its benefits
One of the main benefits of robotization is the elimination of the need for physical movement of warehouse workers over long distances, Ivan Richtár recalled. Previously, warehouse workers took up to 50,000 steps a day, which was not only time-consuming, but also physically exhausting. Now the whole process is automated using the goods to man system. The goods arrive at the picker, who is intuitively navigated in the picking station using lights (pick-by-light) and laser pointers.

The robotic warehouse also has overstock stored on pallets in pallet racks. These are operated using the myFaber Forklift automated pallet truck with a load capacity of up to 2 t and a lift of up to 4.6 m.

In the Dextrum warehouse, they also use myFaber Cubing Pro technology, which ensures accurate measurement of volumes and weights of goods, which enables efficient, accurate and safe storage of goods. Automation in the warehouse is linked up to the level of communication interfaces with e-shops, for example using Baselinker. This integration through the B2B portal enables connection with the e-shop by the next day.

Challenges and optimization
Working for diverse customers brings challenges in the form of seasonal fluctuations in demand. "The best optimization is chaos. In B2C, we get used to the fact that it is not always possible to calculate everything, we monitor the data and look at what is happening, but it is not always possible to put it together according to ABC analysis, for example," explains Miroslav Hampel. Robots in this system can work consistently and efficiently, which ensures stable warehouse performance.

Dextrum Fulfillment has further development plans which include:

– Increasing the capacity of pallet positions and building another warehouse in Paskov;

– Densification of storage areas;

– Addition of two storage towers to expand capacity for the C assortment;

– Doubling the capacity by building a second mezzanine floor;

– Investment in the development of the B2B portal and expansion of integration to international carriers;

– Software optimization of the operation of the robotic warehouse and its supply;

– Automation of the sorting of shipments by carriers.