Innovative, efficient, sustainable: Geis puts AutoStore small parts warehouse into operation

Around eight million euros invested in automation project: The Geis Group has put an automated small parts warehouse into operation at its logistics and technology centre in Forchheim. It consists of two AutoStore systems that ensure fast, efficient and secure order picking - with a comparatively small footprint.

The innovative warehouse enables Geis to reduce order preparation times by up to 70 per cent. This benefits Geis' long-standing customer Siemens Healthineers AG in particular. "Until now, we have been supplying their plant in Erlangen from Forchheim," explains Maximilian Dörr, the Geis division manager responsible for the region. "In future, we will also take over the production supply for the new, state-of-the-art Siemens Healthineers plant in Forchheim and will then also receive more production and KANBAN orders."

Ideal solution for changing requirements

In order to optimally meet these changing requirements, Geis put three concepts to the test at an early stage: the classic automated small parts warehouse, the shelving system and the AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system. The latter proved to be the most suitable solution and has been implemented in consultation with Siemens Healthineers over the past two years.

The new storage system consists of two systems in two bays. This separation allows Geis to react very flexibly to future developments.
In addition, both systems are connected to each other through the wall via so-called gateways and currently form a single unit.

Fast and virtually error-free

"This innovative system makes order picking much more efficient," emphasises Marco Weißensel, Managing Director of Geis Industrie-Service GmbH. "For our customer Siemens Healthineers, we can not only shorten order preparation times by up to 70 percent, but also optimise picking quality at the same time, because the potential for errors has been greatly reduced compared to conventional picking methods."

Last but not least, the system also scores highly in terms of sustainability thanks to the use of renewable energy and high energy efficiency. Only minimal lighting is required and the robots recover energy when braking.

90.000 containers on 2,400 square metres

The first expansion stage, which covers around 600 square metres, has been in operation for exactly one year following a five-month construction and set-up period. It consists of five ports for storage and retrieval as well as eleven robots that move a total of 20,000 bins. The second expansion stage covers an area of around 1,800 square metres and has now been put into operation. It currently has seven ports, 19 robots and 70,000 bins.

"We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with Siemens Healthineers for many years," says Erik Lassen, CEO of Geis Industrie-Service GmbH. "With the complete restructuring and partial automation, we have now achieved a quantum leap in terms of efficiency and flexible growth. With this innovative and sustainable solution, we can optimally integrate ourselves into the expansion and automation strategy of Siemens Healthineers."

In the two Geis AutoStore systems in Forchheim, a total of 30 robots pick up the containers, sort them and bring them to the workstations.
Source: Geis Group

At the 12 workstations, known as ports, Geis employees take care of storage, retrieval and picking.
Source: Geis Group

Geis has invested a total of around eight million euros in the two AutoStore facilities. 90.000 containers are stored there on an area of 2,400 square metres.
Source: Geis Group

At the heart of the AutoStore systems is the "grid", an aluminium frame that forms a framework for the stacked containers and serves as rails for the robots.
Source: Geis Group

About the Geis Group

The Geis Group, headquartered in Bad Neustadt, Franconia, has developed into a global full-service logistics provider since it was founded in 1945. The owner-managed company offers its customers the complete
logistics service spectrum: from classic lorry transport to global air and sea freight and complex logistics services.

Further information: www.geis-group.com

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Company contact:
Hans Geis GmbH + Co KG
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Rudolf-Diesel-Ring 24
97616 Bad Neustadt a.d. Saale

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