Arvato Supply Chain Solutions Installs New Depalletizing Robot

Arvato Supply Chain Solutions continues to focus on innovation – globally. The supply chain and e-commerce service provider has developed an intelligent robotic depalletizer that further accelerates processes and the flow of goods in the warehouse. The first two new robots have now been integrated into the warehouse processes at Arvato’s locations in Venlo, Netherlands, and Louisville, Kentucky, USA. At both locations, the robots are already ensuring a significantly higher throughput.

(Gütersloh/Venlo) “Depalletizing random, mixed cartons is new in logistics, while robots have been in manufacturing for many years,” says Karoline Kowalik, logistics engineer at Arvato. “Robots are usually good at performing one task at a time; adding label recognition and separation makes them particularly suitable for use in logistics.” In the warehouse, robots must handle thousands of different sizes and shapes in rapidly changing environments. Arvato specifically sought a provider that could not only develop the robot but also create and implement a turnkey holistic solution internationally. In collaboration with global robot integrator AWL and image processing developer Fizyr, Arvato developed its depalletizing robot named ‘Stark’. With a flexible gripper head and self-learning AI vision software, ‘Stark’ can place up to 750 different cartons per hour onto the conveyor belt. “The close collaboration was key to success, as there are only a few similar solutions on the logistics market,” explains Karoline Kowalik.

“With our first robotic application, we are further expanding our automation expertise and our solution toolbox,” explains Bernhard Lembeck, Vice President Future Warehouse at Arvato. “Recurring processes such as storing and retrieving goods or order picking can often be handled more efficiently and cost-effectively, especially in combination with other automation technologies such as autonomous transport systems.”

Across various industries, Arvato has already initiated several projects to further advance automation and the use of innovative robotic solutions. The goal is to meet the demanding fulfillment requirements of customers even more reliably and flexibly in the future. “Warehouse automation is not only optimal support for our customers in developing their business,” emphasizes Martijn Nielen, Managing Director at Arvato in the Netherlands. “At the same time, it is also an important step in Arvato’s digitalization strategy.” The automated systems can not only be integrated with the company’s massively expanded cloud technology, but they also generate a wealth of new data that Arvato uses, along with the extensive big data from the entire value chain, to develop new digital solutions. Innovative robotic solutions, according to the consensus of Arvato experts, are therefore gaining increasing importance on the path to the Future Warehouse in logistics. Various other robotic applications are planned, with which Arvato aims to continue its innovation journey and take a pioneering role in the logistics market.

Photo: © Arvato Supply Chain Solutions / Caption: Depalletizing Robot Stark