Nordfrost & TGW Logistics
Centralized Distribution Center Improves Nordfrost’s Cold Chain Logistics
Automated warehouse systems
Nordfrost Group is a global specialist in third-party freezer logistics located in Germany. In 2018, Nordfrost invested in a centralized distribution center in western Germany to improve its cold chain logistics. The newly constructed central hub utilizes automated warehouse systems designed for high picking capacity and quality. Several thousand packaging units per hour can be processed in the distribution center in a largely automated way.
Solving Challenges with Automated Warehouse Solutions
TGW Logistics implemented automated warehouse solutions at Nordfrost’s new distribution center to solve key challenges:
- Decrease energy consumption while maintaining high picking output and quality throughout the process in a smaller footprint.
- Maintain optimal temperature control for various frozen food products through automated distribution center processes that ensure product quality.
Optimizing Lean Material Flow
Goods Receipt Area and Storage
Pallets from the goods receipt area are stored in a high-bay pallet warehouse with 42,000 frozen storage locations. Non-mixed product lines are also loaded and stored temporarily in the high-bay pallet warehouse or transported directly to the depalletizing area.
Depalletizing and Tray Loading
Once goods are needed for replenishment and fulfillment, a pallet comes down from the high-bay warehouse to an area where it is depalletized by two Splitex depalletizing robots or at manual workstations, depending on the product. Depalletized products are temporarily stored on trays in the shuttle warehouse, which contains approximately 66,000 storage locations at -24°C.
Order Picking and Palletizing
After receiving customer orders, the products are retrieved and transported from the shuttle system sequentially to workstations where the customer pallets are located. After palletizing, the pallet is automatically wrapped and transported directly to the outbound area or temporarily stored in the high-bay warehouse.
Shipping
Shipping labels are affixed to the pallets in the outbound area and are made available for shipping on nine destination conveyor belts.
Freezer Shuttle Technology
At Nordfrost, our Stingray shuttles are set at -24°C. TGW Logistics developed this technology with freezer capabilities in mind. Thanks to the compact design and efficient use of space in the shuttle warehouse, Nordfrost achieves high storage density, leading to much lower energy costs for warehouse cooling and ultimately reducing their Total Cost of Ownership.
Are you looking for ways to centralize your cold chain network and enhance your warehouse operations? TGW Logistics can implement automation for your distribution center to suit your needs like we did for Nordfrost Group.
About Nordfrost
Founded in 1975, Nordfrost Group is a global specialist in freezer logistics. The family-owned company has distribution centers throughout Germany and a network of 37 units across Europe. Nordfrost offers customers from the grocery retail sector and industrial supply chain management a single source for transport, storage, picking, and distribution.
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Michael Schedlbauer
Vice President Business Development Grocery
TGW Logistics is a foundation-owned company headquartered in Austria and a global leader in warehouse automation and warehouse logistics. As a trusted systems integrator with more than 50 years of experience, we deliver end-to-end services: designing, implementing, and maintaining fulfillment centers powered by mechatronics, robotics, and advanced software solutions. With over 4,500 employees spanning Europe, Asia, and North America, we combine expertise, innovation, and a customer-centric dedication to help keep your business growing. With TGW Logistics, it's possible to transform your warehouse logistics into a competitive advantage.