Inther Hands Over Future-Proof DC to DHL Life Sciences

For DHL Life Science, the Inther Group has completed a new distribution center for pharmaceutical products in Laekebeek (Brussels region). The Dutch system integrator has provided the intralogistics for this and integrated two older DHL sites into the new facility.

(Venray) Two years ago, the Inther Group was commissioned to plan, build, and maintain the intralogistics systems for the DHL distribution center. The new logistics center, with a storage capacity of 25,000 m2 and several temperature zones, stores medications and pharmaceutical supplies and serves more than 45 Belgian hospitals, doctors, pharmacists, and wholesalers. The intelligently designed building, along with the coordinated process flows, has since been awarded Logistics Building of the Year 2022.

Automation Increases Efficiency

“A major advantage of this project was that we could build the facility at the new DC location in Laekebeek completely from scratch,” explains Max Nijssen, the responsible sales engineer for this project at the Inther Group. “This benefited the construction speed and the final result.”

DHL sought higher efficiency through more automation to quickly and accurately handle the order profile with deliveries of higher quantities per order line within 24 hours. Additionally, DHL wanted to be able to combine various orders from a single customer into one box for sustainability reasons. “The complete and hybrid solution therefore consists of several elements that together ensure the best result for DHL,” says Nijssen.

Among other things, a shuttle corridor with 27 levels was installed. In an initial phase, 17 of these were put into operation with around 6,500 storage containers. The individual shuttles are equipped with Inther’s own DTS software to ensure even better coupling and integration with all other hardware components. Furthermore, the Inther Group installed 635 meters of conveyor technology. This serves, among other things, four goods-to-person workstations with light displays for up to eight compartments per container and pick-to-light solutions. An Inther ADI (Automated Document Inserter) ensures the inclusion of the correct documents per shipment. Box erectors and closers, three print & apply machines, and an integrated scale complete the overall system for DHL – which is entirely painted in DHL’s corporate colors.

The Handover is Just the Beginning

For a successful handover of the facility, various extensive testing phases with hundreds of test scenarios and nearly 1,000 actions were conducted by and with the Inther Group and DHL. This included a system integration testing for the optimal linking of the facility components and processes with the DHL system Gaels. In November 2021, DHL was able to successfully put the system into operation. In the after-sales phase, the Inther Group continues to monitor and analyze the facility and processes in practice to optimally adapt the system to the changing intralogistics requirements of DHL and its customers in the future.

DHL responds positively after the handover of the facility: The picking process is now much simpler, more efficient, and less stressful, as the goods come to the employees rather than the other way around. This has been enthusiastically received by the employees and also offers benefits for the end customer. Additionally, the storage is much more compact than before, and the entire system offers several expansion options to grow together with pharmaceutical customers. Furthermore, every step in the process is transparently tracked, ensuring greater accuracy and traceability of all goods.

The Inther Group is very satisfied with the conflict-free project progress and the successful outcome and looks forward to a good and lasting collaboration with DHL.

Photo: © Inther Group