Footwear and clothing maker Skechers has introduced tote-picking technology from Libiao Robotics at a logistics centre in Eastern China to minimise use of storage space and improve both the speed and accuracy of picking operations.
The amount of space needed to store 100,000 tote boxes has almost halved after the installation of a new automated, high-density tote storage and picking solution, named Airrob.
The logistics hub supplies replenishment stock to approximately 400 Chinese retail outlets and fulfils e-commerce orders for Skechers’ Chinese customers.
Airrob was developed to make maximum use of the site’s layout by condensing the amount of space required for rack storage. This means storage aisles can be reduced to 0.85m, which is smaller than the minimum aisle width needed to accommodate the slimmest very narrow aisle lift truck.
The solution moves horizontally and vertically on a lightweight frame, which is fitted to the face of storage racking. This frame infrastructure also fits with all major racking brands, according to Libiao.
Ronan Shen, overseas sales director, Libiao Robotics, added: “We have collaborated with Skechers for two years…Now, the deployment and operation of the AirRob system has yielded significant results too, including a 50% reduction in storage space and an increased pick rate within the warehouse.
“We believe that the AirRob system fundamentally challenges existing tote-picking solutions. The exceptional flexibility of the system, its low installation and ongoing running costs and the wide range of existing sites for which it is suitable means the market potential for this product is extremely high.”
Previously, Libiao designed and installed a split-level robotic parcel sorting system for an earlier phase of the site’s renovation.
