Fully integrated handling system
February 1st 2006

A new, automated distribution centre for office products supplier, Office Depot Group, has recently been installed by Knapp.

The new facility at Orléans in France features automated and semi-automated order picking technologies, including Knapp's OSR system for highly efficient picking of slow-moving lines.

Currently the output from the DC is about 14,000 parcels per day, with a design maximum in its current configuration of some 19,000 parcels per day. With approximately 10,000 SKUs, the inventory is a varied mix of fast- and slow-moving lines, together with an equally wide range of product sizes and weights. To accommodate this variety, a range of storage and order picking methods were co-ordinated by Knapp to form the integrated handling system at the facility.

As well as limited manual picking, the solution includes fully automatic picking by A-frames and semi-automatic picking using a range of methods including an intelligent conveyor system and Knapp's OSR system, both featuring pick-by-light technology.

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