Having witnessed a trend towards more small package orders and less frequent large stock pallet orders, MAHLE Aftermarket selected a highly efficient AutoStore empowered by Kardex robotic cube storage system to increase capacity and throughput.
The leading global parts and solutions provider to the independent aftermarket was also experiencing storage capacity constraints at its distribution center in Olive Branch, Mississippi. MAHLE looked for a high-density storage solution that would enable it to adapt to the shift in customer order profiles and is scalable for future growth.
Having examined a range of options, MAHLE Aftermarket invested in the AutoStore empowered by Kardex solution. The project has been hailed a success by MAHLE, helping the company store more products in less space and ship small orders more efficiently.
Working together proves successful for MAHLE and Kardex
MAHLE chose Kardex to implement the intelligent goods-to-person automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) tailored to MAHLE Aftermarket’s material flow, with market-leading inventory storage density and processing. The complete AutoStore solution at the Mississippi facility comprises 42,000 bins, 7 ports and 18 robots, in addition to a connected conveyor solution with 18 gravity lanes used for consolidation.
Designed and planned by the experts at Kardex, the AutoStore solution was built and commissioned on schedule and ramped up quickly and smoothly. Kardex FulfillX maximizes the capabilities of AutoStore robotic cube systems to optimize resources and processes, delivering the fastest order fulfillment solution per square foot on the market, increasing storage capacity by up to 4 times and enhancing performance by up to 10 times compared with traditional methods, without additional workforce.
MAHLE praises density, scalability and hands-on support
MAHLE Aftermarket has hailed the support Kardex provided throughout the project. Lorraine Hinderer, MAHLE Aftermarket Head of Business Innovation and Excellence, says, “One of the reasons we chose Kardex is because compared to the other integrators they were able to provide an end-to-end solution tailored to our material flow, whereas the others were focused on selling their solution and not a holistic approach. I would recommend Kardex to other companies – and have actually – just due to the way that they support in the whole initial design and sizing… but also in actually implementing the system on-site.”
Rhiannon Fisher, MAHLE Aftermarket Head of Business Excellence for the North America region, adds, “The support provided by Kardex exceeded expectations. During the design process they were very hands on. They provided support on-site during the entire process and ultimately delivered a turnkey solution.”
Fred Fox, Director of Project Success for the Kardex Solutions AutoStore team, explains that Kardex offers clients the flexibility to either leverage Kardex FulfillX, the purpose-built software package designed specifically for AutoStore end-user solutions, integrate other warehouse management systems (WMS), or utilize their own software. In the case of MAHLE Aftermarket, it chose to integrate with its existing SAP Warehouse Management System. “Together we got a really good solution in place and that’s just part of who we are and what we want to do,” Fox states.
MAHLE Aftermarket prepares for the future with AutoStore empowered by Kardex
Following the success of the Olive Branch project, MAHLE Aftermarket automated a second operation in Décines-Charpieu (Lyon), France, including 22,440 storage bins, 7 robots and 2 workstations. MAHLE continues to evaluate its other locations worldwide to assess if AutoStore empowered by Kardex can enhance customer service, increase efficiencies, and standardize its operations.
Kardex delivers a wide range of potential solutions for both logistics and manufacturing operations. MAHLE Aftermarket employs AutoStore empowered by Kardex to pick parts to take to kitting for the on-site production of engine gaskets and the system offers manufacturers the potential to put picks in a specific order for kitting to substantially improve production line efficiency and productivity.
Watch the MAHLE case study at the link here.
About Kardex
Kardex is a leading global partner for intralogistics solutions in an attractive and growing market. The Group offers premium automated products, standardized systems, and life cycle services that guarantee high availability and low total cost of ownership. Kardex provides an intelligent entry into automation with its dynamic storage and retrieval systems, offers integrated material handling systems, small parts storage systems, and automated high-bay warehouses, and acts as a global AutoStore™ partner, offering flexible and modular storage and order fulfillment solutions. The Group employs around 2,500 people in over 30 countries. Kardex Holding AG has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1989.
To learn more, visit www.kardex.com
About MAHLE Aftermarket
MAHLE Aftermarket, the business unit specializing in spare parts, uses the expertise from the series production of original equipment in its product range and supplies trade, workshop, and engine repair partners. The portfolio also includes products developed by MAHLE Service Solutions for workshop equipment as well as comprehensive services and customized training programs. MAHLE Aftermarket is represented at 25 locations and other sales offices worldwide, with around 1,700 employees. In 2020, the business unit achieved a global sales volume of about EUR 898 million.
