Cold store automation with Movu robotic solutions
Challenges for efficient cold store logistics
This adds to the challenges facing the industry:
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Labour shortages and rising wages for employees: Cold store facilities are finding it ever more difficult to meet customer demand due to staff shortages. Cold storage facilities are finding it increasingly difficult to meet customer demands due to staff shortages. It is not only about finding workers, but also about retaining them. This is becoming increasingly difficult given the high wage costs and low motivation of employees. Working in a cold working environment and wearing warm clothing further increases the complex requirements on workers.
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Energy efficiency: Energy costs in cold stores are still at a high level. Cold stores consume a significant amount of energy to maintain the required low temperatures. Warehouse managers are challenged to find solutions to optimise energy consumption, for example by using energy-efficient equipment to reduce both costs and the environmental impact.
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Lack of space: Changing consumer habits have led to an increasing demand for space, which is becoming more and more expensive to acquire. It is therefore imperative for cold store operators to maximise the use of the volume of existing buildings by optimising storage space.
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Seasonal peaks in demand: Fluctuations in demand, for example due to holidays, and seasonal fluctuations present cold store operators with the challenge of maintaining adequate capacity, while still ensuring efficiency and productivity.
As distribution centres continue to grow, automation is no longer a luxury, but rather an absolute necessity. For this, Movu offers solutions that allow you to optimise the cold storage supply chain in a scalable and sustainable way.
Movu ifollow Autonomous mobile robots designed for cold stores
Technological developments such as automated transport in cold stores increase throughput, reduce labour and optimise energy management. To achieve this, Movu has developed a range of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) specifically for cold chain logistics, capable of transporting payloads from 300 kg to 1,000 kg at temperatures as low as -25°C.
The Movu ifollow robot moves roll cages and pallets in cold stores and serves as the operator's right hand in order picking and order preparation. The robot is robust enough to withstand low temperatures and can easily switch from a cold to a warmer environment as the temperature of the main electronic components is controlled by an innovative servo system.
Movu atlas
Fully automatic shuttles for pallets in the cold store
Movu atlas is a fully automatic shuttle system for pallets that can be used in cold environments down to -25° C. The heart of the system is a shuttle that can move both in the storage lanes and in the main lanes. Thanks to this technology, Movu atlas offers extremely high storage density, as no extra forklift aisles are required.
Movu escala
Chilled and ambient products in one system
Movu escala is suitable for operation at room temperature as well as in cooled and temperature-controlled zones. Thanks to the modular design, several different climate zones can be easily integrated into one system. This makes it possible to store frozen products in addition to chilled and ambient products in the same system.
At the same time, Movu escala is flexible when the ratio between chilled and ambient items changes. Mixed orders can be handled in a single step, eliminating the otherwise time-consuming consolidation process.
With Movu automation solutions you reduce floor space and increase productivity in the cold store
The automation of your cold storage maintains a continuous high frequency of storage and retrieval that cannot be guaranteed by human operators.
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More efficient order picking: With Movu ifollow robots you reduce the time yourorder pickers have to spend in the cold store. The robots not only increase picking performance, but also protect your staff.
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Higher storage capacity: Solutions such as Movu atlas enable high-density storage space by reducing the number of aisles in the warehouse.
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More flexibility: With Movu ifollow AMRs you have the flexibility of layout freedom – you don't have to change the existing infrastructure to implement robots in your cold store.
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More energy efficiency: High-density storage, as achieved with Movu atlas, reduces the required energy consumption per pallet. At the same time, Movu atlas consumes five times less energy than conventional stacker cranes due to the low weight of the shuttles.
Movu solutions are quick and easy to integrate into your existing infrastructure. So, you can easily start automating your cold store.
