Bad Nauheim/Heilbronn, the international technology group Körber supports the sports retailer INTERSPORT with its Supply Chain business in the construction and expansion of the central warehouse in Heilbronn. From the planning phase to finalization, Körber is responsible for the practical implementation of a fully automated warehouse that is not only state-of-the-art in terms of technology, but can also cover the growing need for intelligent storage capacity in the coming years. In the future, up to 10,000 parcels can be sent there per day.
INTERSPORT Deutschland eG wanted to expand the capacity of its own central warehouse and at the same time greatly increase its level of automation. The warehouse in Heilbronn had reached its limits due to the growth in product ranges, quantities, complexity and warehouse turnover that had lasted for many years. For the expansion, the trading company relied on close cooperation with the technology expert Körber. The aim was to use new automation technology and the simultaneous conversion and modernization of the existing logistics to cover the long-term need for storage capacity on site. Körber was not only responsible for all construction stages as a system integrator, but was also involved right from the planning phase.
Next to the existing building, a new automatic small parts warehouse with a height of 36 m was built on an additional 10,000 m² of logistics space. As a result, the managed total storage area of the INTERSPORT warehouse grew to 37,000 m². Körber was involved in all integral components of the central warehouse, from the software to the hardware. On the software side, this means e.g. B. the selection of new warehouse software and the development of a new warehouse management, including specially tailored functions for the requirements of the INTERSPORT processes. It was particularly important to set up a central system that makes it possible to control conveyor technology, as well as networking in the loop with the ERP and merchandise management system. For this, Körber uses its storage and material flow solution K.Motion.PMS.
At the hardware level, it is above all the following main components that ensure the future requirements of both partners and raise the degree of automation to a new level: On the one hand, the OCR system, which fully automates the goods receipt and the shuttle pick zone with sequence-controlled delivery of the source cardboard boxes in connection with a fully automatic shipping carton erection. On the other hand, the warehouse management and warehouse control system as well as the automatic carton warehouse. The latter consists of a dynamic storage area equipped with a tote shuttle and a storage area equipped with 24 m high storage and retrieval machines for fully automatic up to triple-deep carton storage. The conveyor system has several crossovers, where the cardboard boxes are crossed out at a capacity of up to 3000 containers per hour and fed to their destination.
Andreas Ebert, CEO of Körber’s Supply Chain Automation business area, is very pleased with the interaction of all components: “Our goal was to create an overall solution for INTERSPORT that would make the warehouse sustainable in the long term. Körber has access to a global network of logistics system providers and partners. Together with our cutting-edge technologies and our specialists for system design, automation and warehouse management system, it is our aim that everything works as automated and efficiently as possible.”
Jürgen Beier, Head of Logistics and Supply Chain at INTERSPORT Germany, is also pleased with the successful cooperation: “We decided early on to reorganize our logistics IT and are very pleased that we have found a partner in Körber who, with its holistic technological know-how has mastered the key factors in this highly complex project. In addition, the exemplary interaction with FORTNA PIERAU, Hamburg, responsible for the overall planning and project management, and with GEBHARDT Fördertechnik, Sinsheim, manufacturer and supplier of the conveyor technology and shuttle systems, among other things, made a significant contribution to the fact that the important parameters of time, quality and costs remained on target are”. Thomas Storck, CFO and CEO of INTERSPORT adds: “In addition, we have created the basis for implementing omnichannel services and digitization as part of INTERSPORT’s BEST IN SPORTS strategy for our dealers and end customers over the next few years.”
INTERSPORT Deutschland eG: Our business is to move people
We are absolutely convinced: Sport is an elixir of life. This is our DNA. From day one, we move more people with our partners than anyone else. Nobody can do it like we can. That is our strength: 3 million athletes come and go with us. With around 800 local champions, over 1,500 local stadiums and over 1 million m2 of playing space, we are the home stadium for all sports fans. A place of like-minded people and experiences and energy. This is how we write stories and history. For more than 65 years we have been the front runner for the sports and health business. And wherever we look, we see people and opportunities to take action. Each of us is working hard to achieve this, in local shops and in the digital world. So we are what we have always been: BEST IN SPORTS.
ABOUT KÖRBER
We are Körber – an international technology group with around 10,000 employees, more than 100 locations worldwide and a common goal: We convert entrepreneurial thinking into customer success and shape technological change. In the business areas Digital, Pharma, Supply Chain, Tissue and Tobacco we offer products, solutions and services that inspire. We react quickly to customer needs, we implement ideas seamlessly, and with our innovations we create added value for our customers. In doing so, we are increasingly building on ecosystems that solve the challenges of today and tomorrow. Körber AG is the holding company of the Körber Group.
ABOUT THE KÖRBER BUSINESS UNIT SUPPLY CHAIN
Along the supply chain, the challenges are growing every day. Körber uniquely offers a wide range of proven end-to-end technologies for logistics – for any company size, business or growth strategy. In addition to our own software solutions, the range of services includes a wide range of consulting and implementation services as well as technologies ranging from automation solutions to voice, robotics and transport systems. In this way, Körber combines the know-how for comprehensive system integration under one roof. As a global partner, we meet today’s challenges as well as the constantly changing requirements in logistics. “Conquer supply chain complexity” – with Körber. The Supply Chain business area is part of the international technology group Körber. More at www.koerber-supplychain.com