BRØDRENE DAHL: Automation Delivering Top Performance under Time Pressure
In recent years, the expectations placed on delivery performance in the wholesale business have undergone significant changes. Despite the fact that orders are being placed later and later and product ranges are becoming increasingly diverse, customers still expect their orders to be delivered on time so they can start their work without any delays. For Brødrene Dahl, this means that their logistics has to be faster, more flexible and more powerful than ever before.
In the distribution center in Langhus near Oslo, Brødrene Dahl processes up to 20,000 order lines daily – from tiny connectors to pipes measuring several feet. In order to process this huge variety of items under enormous time pressure, the company is banking on a scalable automation solution from KNAPP. The result is a well thought-out concept involving storage, picking and packing, which is designed to be efficient, with sustainability and growth in mind.
Next-day delivery
More efficiency and sustainability
Smart automation technologies
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationLogistics is the backbone of our business. Ultimately, everything depends on it and this is where we can set ourselves apart from other suppliers. We offer our customers an outstanding experience, which helps us build loyalty.
Ingar Bystrøm
Logistics Director Brødrene Dahl
Do you want your logistics to be future-proof even under great time pressure?
Core requirements for Brødrene Dahl's solution
Warehouse management for a variety of products
Strong performance despite short delivery windows
E-commerce as a natural part of logistics
Saving resources and efficient at the same time
Would you like to re-align your value chain?
Get in touch with our experts today.
Central warehouse processes
1) Goods-in and order start
All the processes in the distribution center are designed to be swift. Starting in the goods-in area, the items are transferred into containers, which are then directly put away into the Evo Shuttle 2D system. Based on the order data from the WMS, KNAPP’s KiSoft software ensures intelligent prioritization with picking start times being precisely timed. This way, all the orders are started in a structured and prepared way without delay.
2) Picking – where humans meet robots
The picking process combines ergonomic goods-to-person work stations with advanced robotics. A diverse range of items is reliably handled at three Pick-it-Easy work stations and by the Pick-it-Easy Robot. AI-supported gripper systems recognize shapes and surfaces right away, facilitating flexible teamwork between human workers and machines. This ensures stable performance even under changing conditions.
3) Packing – automatic carton handling
Next, cartons are handled automatically: Cartons are cut to size, closed and strapped. All the shipping information is provided on the address label. This way, less material is used and packing costs are reduced, supporting a sustainable shipping process.
4) Buffering and shipping
Last but not least, the finished packages are directly supplied to either the sorting or shipping areas or buffered in the Evo Shuttle. This flexible process control ensures that the system can respond optimally to current order volumes at any time.
Zentrale Lagerprozesse
1) Goods-in and order start
Next, cartons are handled automatically: Cartons are cut to size, closed and strapped. All the shipping information is provided on the address label. This way, less material is used and packing costs are reduced, supporting a sustainable shipping process.
2) Picking – where humans meet robots
The picking process combines ergonomic goods-to-person work stations with advanced robotics. A diverse range of items is reliably handled at three Pick-it-Easy work stations and by the Pick-it-Easy Robot. AI-supported gripper systems recognize shapes and surfaces right away, facilitating flexible teamwork between human workers and machines. This ensures stable performance even under changing conditions.
3) Packing – automatic carton handling
Next, cartons are handled automatically: Cartons are cut to size, closed and strapped. All the shipping information is provided on the address label. This way, less material is used and packing costs are reduced, supporting a sustainable shipping process.
4) Buffering and shipping
Last but not least, the finished packages are directly supplied to either the sorting or shipping areas or buffered in the Evo Shuttle. This flexible process control ensures that the system can respond optimally to current order volumes at any time.
m² (~470,000 ft²) storage space
SKUs
+ suppliers
orders per day possible
Open Shuttle Fork – intelligent AMRs for flexible material flows
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) play a key role in Brødrene Dahl’s intralogistics. The Open Shuttle Fork robots connect all the relevant warehouse areas, ensuring an automated end-to-end flow of pallets – from the buffer area to the shuttle system and manual warehouse areas, covering various tasks such as waste disposal and returning pallets to the system.
The AMRs take the strain off of employees, helping them with time-consuming transport tasks and creating stable, evenly distributed material flows in the entire warehouse. This results in a reduced number of transports and shorter distances overall and a more efficient use of the warehousing space, allowing processes to be flexibly adapted to changing requirements. Further AMRs can be added to the scalable robot fleet if needed, creating a reliable basis for further expansion projects of the automation solution.
FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY AND PARTNERSHIP
Increasing efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand at Brødrene Dahl. Optimized carton handling, less packaging material used and combined processes reduce the carbon footprint measurably.
Simultaneously, the project is based on a collaborative partnership with KNAPP, which is marked by trust, technical competence and a solution that can stand the test of time.
„The technology works and meets our requirements.
It is scalable, flexible and designed for future growth.“
Thomas Rønningen, Logistics Development Manager at Brødrene Dahl.
