The Sup­ply Chain Engin­eers

SKF implements goods-to-person picking strategy in Europe

On April 10th, 2019, SKF has inaugurated a brand-new goods-to-person picking installation at their Distribution Centre in Airasca, Italy. Miebach Consulting supported the leading global technology provider in the planning and commissioning of the highly efficient material flow solution. "The goods-to-person picking system, which we developed together with Miebach, is part of our logistics strategy to fulfill customer orders with increasing efficiency and effectiveness, while improving at the same time working conditions to a maximum, as far as ergonomics and safety are concerned" - said Silvio Gallione, General Manager SKF Logistics & Demand Chain Italy. The system consists of four goods-to-person picking stations, fed by eight high-performance stacker cranes, replacing the original ones in the automated high bay warehouse, and a floor-mounted monorail equipped with 11 carriers. The installation allows flexible picking into SKF Group Standard Pallets (GSP) or into cartons for smaller orders. "The new process increases picking productivity and considerably reduces vehicular traffic on the warehouse floor. These are decisive performance capabilities to best meet the high demands of SKF's business customers" - says Alberto Alberici, Managing Director Miebach Consulting France and responsible for business development in Italy. In parallel to the Italian operation, SKF Logistics & Demand Chain is currently implementing at its German Distribution Centre in Schweinfurt another goods-to-person process characterized by innovative automated guided narrow aisle trucks and a floor-mounted monorail system. With the implementation of the goods-to-person picking strategy in the pallet areas, SKF Logistics & Demand Chain has entered a new level of efficiency in customer order execution. SKF Logistics & Demand Chain and Miebach Consulting have been successfully cooperating worldwide for more than 40 years. A video about the renovation of the distribution center in Airasca can be found here.  More information about SKF: https://www.skf.com/group/our-company/index.html