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Friday, 29.03.2024, 11:25
Maxima Unveils Modernised Logistics Centre
This was achieved by implementing a range of
innovations: the very narrow aisle solution, artificial intelligence,
environmentally-friendly solutions, and a 20% increase in lithium-ion electric
loaders. Maxima Latvija maintains its
top position in the Baltics as the largest user of a lithium-ion
battery-operated fleet.
“We, Maxima Latvija, grow and develop every
year by opening a range of new stores in Riga and other regions, therefore our
logistics centre must also grow and develop alongside the store chain, becoming
even more effective and ensuring we can offer our customers the lowest prices
for the highest-quality products. Improving the efficiency of internal
processes has proved itself several times over as a crucial condition for
ensuring not only a convenient shopping experience for our customers, but also
an improved working environment and increased employee productivity. By
thoughtfully investing in the latest technologies and process automation, our
aim was to increase the value of each employee in our business, at the same
time making the working day easier,” comments Viktors Troicins, CEO of Maxima
Latvija.
Very narrow aisle system
To ensure that the warehouse process is
optimised, improve the effective use of space and increase product selection
efficiency, the logistics centre uses the very narrow aisle warehouse concept.
The warehouse has been installed with 10 metre high pallet shelves with very
narrow—just 1.80 metres wide—aisles, from which goods are stacked using special
narrow aisle forklifts. This is the first very narrow aisle warehouse system in
the Maxima group and, thanks to the
shelf measurements, it increases productivity by almost 30%: if a 20,000 m2
logistics centre could previously hold 7,000 items, an 8,000 m2
logistics centre can now house 11,000 items.
Logistics centre with green thinking
For Maxima Latvija, it is not only important that all processes are efficient, but also that all technical solutions implemented are sustainable and use green energy, which is why all the technology which is needed for the very narrow aisles has been fitted with modern lithium-ion batteries. The electric loaders are driven using a special inductive driving system which allows them to move without steering. Furthermore, by increasing its number of electric loaders by almost a fifth, Maxima Latvija maintains its leading position in the Baltics with the largest lithium-ion fleet. The use of these vehicles reduces electricity consumption by 30%. To increase energy efficiency, the logistics centre has also been fitted with LED lighting, and aisle lighting turns on when an employee approaches to put together an order. The ramp gates have also been fitted with this type of lighting.
Artificial intelligence solutions
Work at the logistics centre is generally based
on automated processes: every day, artificial intelligence calculates each
store’s product needs, resulting in the logistics centre packing the required
number of products to deliver to all stores throughout Latvia.
The packing process is also automatic, using a
voice-activated system: the operator receives information on the products to be
packed in their headphones. Thus the logistics process is automated and
operators avoid the use of a printed product list.
Delivery vehicle ramps doubled
The Maxima
logistics centre at Abras receives more than 150 deliveries from producers
every day, and, to serve the almost 200 Maxima
stores throughout Latvia, delivery trucks drive more than 170 routes totalling
27 000 km every day. To ensure a faster delivery of goods and fresh produce to
stores throughout Latvia, the business has doubled its number of loading docks
or ramps, reaching a total of 106, and has built a new access road for easier
transport movement.
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