Dematic Expands Blum’s Logistics Center in Poland

Dematic is expanding the logistics center of Julius Blum GmbH near the Polish city of Poznań. On the premises of the Austrian manufacturer and distributor of furniture fittings, the automation technology provider is constructing a new fully automated high-bay warehouse. As part of this expansion, the Heusenstamm-based company is also installing eight stacker cranes that will ensure the automatic storage and retrieval of pallets.

(Heusenstamm/Poznań) Other components of the tailored automation solution include heavy-duty piece goods conveyors of type BK25, as well as chain and floor conveyors that connect existing storage areas with the high-bay warehouse. With this system, Blum is increasing its storage capacities and enhancing the level of automation at the site. The completion and commissioning of the facility are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2023.

“Dematic has convinced us with a comprehensive package of intralogistics expertise, technical quality, and personal support. The solution consists of proven standard components that have already proven to be highly reliable and durable in many other Blum plants worldwide,” says Markus Schneider, Group Leader Intralogistics at Julius Blum GmbH. In addition to the intralogistics automation, including software solutions for the new high-bay warehouse, the order also includes the connection to the existing conveyor technology and the integration of the individual logistics areas.

More than 40 years ago, Dematic built the world’s first high-bay warehouse, establishing a pioneering position in the industry. For the Blum plant in Poznań, the Heusenstamm-based company developed a customized automation solution consisting of a new pallet high-bay warehouse serviced by eight stacker cranes of type SR-U1200/1 with telescopic forks. In the new storage area, the company stocks components as well as finished furniture fitting systems. The stacker cranes are equipped with single-wheel drives and are particularly durable. “Due to the modular design, the stacker cranes can be precisely tailored to our requirements,” explains the group leader.

Optimally Coordinated Processes

Dematic’s delivery also includes heavy-duty piece goods conveyors of type BK25, which serve the storage and retrieval of entire pallets and are capable of transporting five different types of load carriers. The conveyor technology package is complemented by chain conveyors of type T5, which ensure horizontal transport and right-angle infeed and outfeed of pallets or mesh boxes. Six floor conveyors act as connecting elements between the conveyor levels, raising or lowering the goods as needed. “The solution guarantees us optimally coordinated processes and a fully automated material flow between the individual storage areas,” adds Schneider.

Furthermore, Dematic is expanding the material flow computer system and a warehouse management computer to allow all relevant data to flow automatically into one system.

Long and Successful Partnership

Dematic and Blum share a long and successful partnership. For the first time, Dematic’s predecessor company Mannesmann Demag supplied the manufacturer and distributor of furniture fitting systems with customized storage technology in 1986. “Both Dematic’s solutions and the collaboration have proven successful,” says Schneider. Dematic is also active for Blum at other locations – for example, in several plants in Austria, the central warehouse in Canada, and the production warehouse in the USA. Automation primarily occurs with stacker cranes, conveyor technology, and picking stations, along with the associated software. “The long-standing collaboration, direct contact with key personnel, and standards help to implement joint projects quickly, reliably, and efficiently,” summarizes Schneider.

Photo: © Dematic/Blum