ULMA Handling Systems automates CONSUM Distribution Centres in Valencia, Murcia and Barcelona
The CONSUM co-operative, which has a network of over 600 supermarkets, in six Spanish regions, set up its new automated warehouse with a new integral platform in Silla, Valencia in 2007.
In 2013 ULMA developed the CONSUM distribution platform logistics system in Las Torres de Cotillas, Murcia, whose logistics system is innovative both from a conceptual and design viewpoint.
The project novelty lies in the storage system capable of managing entries and exits for ½ pallet, ¼ pallet or Euro pallet load units.
The system is equipped with three robots performing the loading/unloading operations on the conveyor belts arranged at the entry (receipt) and exit (dispatch) headers.
In addition, the robots are designed to automatically supply the side exits to carry out the order picking process.
ULMA is currently working on the design of a new platform for Barcelona which will include two high and low turnover automatisms.
The logistics automation projects undertaken at CONSUM resulted from the need to optimise plant space. However, this has gone beyond efficiently meeting the target and has meant an internal revolution resulting in drastic error reduction to virtually marginal levels, in addition to considerable production increases. Furthermore, it has improved the platform workers’ ergonomic and safety conditions.
The ULMA Handling Systems engineering team developed the previous automatic installations, which as acknowledged by the Co-operative managers has been an excellent experience ranging from availability and installation performance (always beyond that expected) to their work in relation to integration with the Co-operative management system.