Ice-Cold Efficiency: Cold Chain Logistics at Ospelt Food
An important objective for companies is to improve their internal processes continuously. This is especially crucial in the food industry, where maintaining the cold chain is essential. Ospelt Food AG, a leading food manufacturer based in Sargans, Switzerland, chose to collaborate with GEBHARDT to optimise the transport of pallets to the refrigerated warehouse.
Automation and process optimization in the food industry
Before the project began, Ospelt Food encountered several challenges. Manual labour and cost-intensive transport using an outdated goods lift were inefficient, intransparent, and error-prone. The project focused on the timely implementation of logistical material flows, particularly ensuring the prescribed cold chain for packaged food products in small load carriers during internal pallet transfers from the refrigerated area to the delivery zone.
The project had multiple objectives:
- Process optimisation: The goal was to maintain a transparent and uninterrupted cold chain.
- Cost optimisation: The aim was to reduce expensive, error-prone, and inefficient manual transport.
- Simplified workload: Automated transportation to the cold storage facility was expected to reduce workload and improve employee ergonomics.
- High degree of automation : The implementation of a comprehensive solution, which includes conveyor technology and an automated guided vehicle system (AGV), aimed to optimise the logistics processes.
- Vertical conveyor over four floors: This new system replaced the old goods lift and now allows for transporting Euro and industrial pallets. The pallet conveyor technology ensures a smooth material flow in the production process. The entire system consists of three sub-systems - vertical transport with conveyor technology (Poulet shaft), GEBHARDT KARIS® automated guided vehicle system (AGV), and the transfer to the cooling zone, all interconnected. Operating at a speed of 0.3 m/s and with a throughput of 60 units per hour, the System 500 ensures the safe transport of pallets.
- Master control: The systems were seamlessly integrated into the existing SAP and other relevant systems
After implementing the solution, process optimisation significantly improved, especially in maintaining the cold chain. By reducing labour-intensive transport and automating transportation to the cold store, employees found their work easier and could focus on higher-quality tasks.
„We were particularly impressed by the AGV system, the more efficient use of space and the faster and more efficient way of working compared to the forklift-based solution.“
Andreas Buschauer, Head of Administration/Project Manager
GEBHARDT Perfects Cold Chain Logistics at Ospelt Food
An important goal for companies is the continuous improvement of their internal processes. Maintaining the cold chain plays a crucial role in the food industry in particular. To optimise the transport of pallets to the cold store, Ospelt Food AG, a leading food manufacturer based in Sargans, Switzerland, decided to work with GEBHARDT.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Contact Us!
From the idea to the realisation – we create your customised solution tailored to your personal requirements.