Case: Pharmaceutical company

100% INCREASED CAPACITY WITH SOLUTION THAT WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT INTERRUPTION IN PRODUCTION

The storage warehouse of a customer in Central Sweden needed to be renewed. The challenge was that the warehouse supplied all production lines with materials, which meant that the rebuilding had to be done so that the business was affected as little as possible. After completing the pilot study, it was decided to replace the existing layout consisting of shuttle solution in front of the cranes, with a conveyor loop and new conveyor control.

Logistik & Projekt was responsible for:

  • Pilot study including development of solution
  • Driving the procurement process
  • Project management
  • Site management for implementation

The warehouse was stopped for a maximum of 16 days as the company closed for the summer.

Background

Storage warehouse with 11 cranes, 26,000 pallet spaces and an older conveyor system, where availability was threatened by the unavailability of new spare parts and an increased need for capacity.

Challenge

The warehouse could be stopped for a maximum of 16 days as the company closed for the summer. There would be major consequences if the supply of materials could not be resumed on time.

Result

  • New layout for future needs
  • 100% increase in storage and retrieval capacity
  • Each phase was handed over to the business according to the original plan.

Success factors

During the project, much attention was paid to planning and preparation. Already during the pre-study phase, a detailed implementation plan was developed, where it was found that the whole scoop could not be implemented with acceptable risks during a summer shutdown, but had to be divided into three main phases:

  • PLC upgrade. In the spring of 2017, the control system for the existing conveyor system was upgraded to a modern PLC, also with a new interface to the parent control system.
  • Redevelopment part 1. In July 2017, half of the existing conveyor system was replaced by a new conveyor loop in front of the cranes.
  • Redevelopment part 2. During the 2018 summer break, the final redevelopment could be carried out.

Other success factors

  • By challenging traditional planning and solutions, many activities could be brought forward to reduce workload and risks during the summer peak.
  • To avoid problems during implementation, preparatory tests were carried out whenever possible, especially between the different systems.
  • In order to be able to move on quickly when problems arose during installation, the project management team was constantly present.
  • Proactive risk management, with well thought-out solutions and alternative plans ready.

Want to know more about this project?

+46 70 399 84 66 sven@logistikprojekt.com