EK Robotics, a manufacturer and system integrator of transport robotics for production and warehouse logistics, has announced a turnkey solutions partnership with German automotive OEM BMW.
The partnership has already resulted in the optimisation and automation of BMW’s manufacturing and warehouse application through the arrival of EK Robotics’ automated guided vehicles (AGVs), including the company’s Custom Move, Vario Move and Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) AGVs.
What’s more, BMW’s turnkey solutions package has also seen EK Robotics design, create and install bespoke racking for its warehouse operations.
Chris Price, managing director of EK Robotics UK, said: “We are extremely pleased to finally announce this partnership, especially with a respected industry-leading client such as BMW.
“A lot of amazing hard work has gone into this behind the scenes and that is testament to everyone involved in the project here at EK Robotics.”
The project makes BMW’s new PGA press plant at Swindon fully automated, from delivery of blank steel to body panels sent to production. EK Robotics have also designed and supplied AGVs to take die tools to and from the new press.
“At one stage of the installation, we delivered one of our largest, if not the largest, AGVs in the specification of a massive Custom Move,” added Price.
“The AGV arrived needing a special convoy on the roads. It was then assembled and within five days of delivery the machine was fully working autonomously.”
According to Price, order and delivery was also completed within a year.
