Semi-Automated, Cold-Storage Distribution for High-Seismic Zone
Posted by Travis Baker on Fri, Jul 29, 2011 @ 02:53 PM
In late January 2011, fruit and frozen food specialist Ditzler Chile Ltda. put its new semi-automated mobile racking system into operation. The newly built refrigerated warehouse can accommodate a total of 10,042 industrial pallets.
One of the key requirements of the project was a very high standard of earthquake safety, and it was essential for the provider they chose, to have the necessary experience in this area. The South American fruit producer opted to place the contract with SSI Schaefer AG, a company with a proven track record earthquake-prone Chile. For the new Ditzler Chile racking system, the experts at SSI Schaefer AG refined their high-seismic design to create new, optimized standards for mobile racking systems in earthquake zones.
In the space of less than a year, between February 2010 and January 2011, Chile – an area of frequent seismic activity – suffered two severe earthquakes and several quakes of more moderate intensity. Unsurprisingly, the government imposes very high standards of earthquake-proof building, and individuals are held personally responsible if any defects are found. To prevent this happening, all new buildings – including warehouses and racking systems – are inspected by specialists in line with strict structural engineering guidelines.
Sturdy construction and low environmental impact
The SSI Schaefer system satisfies Chile’s long list of requirements through a combination of different built-in safety mechanisms designed specifically by structural engineers for earthquake zones.
For racking systems in high-seismic zones SSI Schaefer uses thicker materials, which offer additional resistance to powerful tremors. SSI Schaefer’s modular warehouse system concept allows it to adapt their solutions to the level of earthquake risk.
Ditzler Chile’s new refrigerated facility not only sets new standards in earthquake safety, but also in eco-friendly design. Schaefer installed 40 truckloads of special foam panels from Brazil that even exceed current EU standards. Making sure the insulating material was delivered on time was in itself a logistical challenge, but one that more than paid for itself in terms of the ecological and financial benefits.
New warehouse – new possibilities
Ditzler Chile Ltda. is a subsidiary of Louis Ditzler AG, based in Möhlin, Switzerland. The South American firm’s core business is the production of frozen fruit and fruit specialties, which is supplied to major distributors and retail chains.
The company’s own produce only fills about 10% of the capacity of the new mobile racking system. Ditzler Chile makes the remaining 9000 industrial pallet spaces available to other companies in the industry, thus opening up an additional line of business. Ditzler knew this capacity would be in demand due to the high-safety standards and European quality standard of the refrigerated facility.
The 10,000 pallet spaces in the mobile racking system are split into two semi-automated systems, with 16 and 17 double-face mobile bases respectively. As well as the automatic shelf trolley control system, automatic corridor lighting provides added convenience. Goods management is handled by an appropriate IT solution.
International partnership
Louis Ditzler AG and SSI Schaefer AG have been working together for 10 years. However, the mobile racking system in Chile was the first project awarded to SSI Schaefer by the South American subsidiary. The project represented a continuation of an already successful partnership.
The warehouse was handed over almost a year after the contract was placed, with the actual project implementation being completed in just four months. The final completion phase and commissioning took place in late January 2011. Precise planning and coordination were needed, since all the warehouse parts had to be delivered by ship and truck. The fact that all the components were supplied by SSI Schaefer proved to be an advantage here, too.
In spite of the geographical distance that at times separated the project teams at Ditzler Chile and SSI Schaefer AG, the collaboration was both productive and focused. This was thanks, in no small part, to the hard work and dedication of Bruno Ditzler, owner of Louis Ditzler AG. “The project met my expectations in every respect. Even under the more difficult conditions imposed by the earthquake safety requirements, I was able to rely fully on the expertise and cooperativeness of SSI Schaefer,” he commented.
Schaefer Systems International, Inc., the North American subsidiary of the SSI SCHAEFER group of companies, established headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1989.
SCHAEFER’s automation integrates to any existing system earning us an international reputation as the global leader in the material-handling industry for returnable packaging, static racking, and highly complex, automated distribution systems. With over 70 years of experience and a 100% commitment to quality behind every SSI Schafer system, we focus on providing our clients with unconventional picking and storage solutions delivering best value