Swisslog automates intralogistics system for bottled water company Mai Dubai
Swisslog has announced the successful installation and implementation of a new fully-automated and retrieval solution for Mai Dubai, a Dubai-based bottled drinking water company. The move is part of Mai Dubai’s ongoing expansion initiative and involves the implementation of a fully automated and data driven intralogistics system. As part of an order valued over €20 million, Swisslog planned and implemented a fully automated system based on intelligent software in the context of big data.
The major expansion project included planning and implementing a six-aisle automated high-bay warehouse for raw material and packaging materials as well as, only a few hundred meters away, a high-bay warehouse with 17,560 pallet locations for finished goods with 10 aisles. The use of Swisslog’s fully automated storage and retrieval solution will help drive key benefits and advantages for Mai Dubai, including a significant reduction in labour costs, improved production and enhanced storage efficiencies.
The use of Swisslog’s fully automated solution will help with a significant reduction in labour costs, improved production and enhanced storage efficiencies
The installation proves to be both timely and strategic, expecting to sustain Mai Dubai’s continuing growth since its inception in December 2012. The company, which is already widely recognised for its excellent reputation, is the official bottled water partner of Emirates Airlines and has also become a household brand name in Oman, Bahrain, and 13 other countries across Asia, Europe and Africa.
The installed Swisslog solutions included the Vectura pallet stacker cranes, which are known for its optimised energy-efficient design and delivery of highly efficient storage and retrieval with minimal energy costs; a monorail system complete with 44 trolleys; a ProMove pallet conveyor and lifting systems that ensure the efficient flow of goods and sequencing of pallets in receiving and shipping.
The company also deployed an advanced high-performance information technology infrastructure and controls systems, the Swisslog Warehouse Management Software, which allows for real-time 3D visualisation and condition monitoring of the entire operations. The modular software platform also offers a number of big-data business intelligence tools that can be flexibly added over the time. With its modular architecture and user-friendly design, the WMS software helps Mai Dubai to be prepared for the future.
Alain Kaddoum, General Manager, Swisslog Middle East, commented, “Warehouse and factory managers constantly need to synchronise their material flow between production and warehouse to optimise the inventory level and reduce the operational costs. The introduction of new automation deployments driven by strong warehouse management software can maximise return on investment and minimise risks to supply chain operations. Combining Swisslog’s SynQ WMS solution, Mai Dubai were able to modernise their warehousing, distribution and fulfilment operations by optimising the performance of front-line workers, speed up production and maximise the storage capacity.”
Alexander van‘t Riet, CEO of Mai Dubai, said, “We are very excited about the potential benefits to be gained from the installation of this new fully automated storage and transport system from Swisslog. Working closely with Swisslog was part of our expansion strategy. In fact, the implementation of an automated and digitalised logistics solutions is part of and contributes to our customer-focused approach. This initiative has helped us not only to improve our production control but also allowed for greater storage density and increased efficiency.”
