Automation as Key Factor for Reliable Supply
Boasting over 450 locations and a market share of roughly 50 %, Apotek 1 plays a central role in Norways’ public health system. The distribution center in Oslo is considered an important hub as it plays a central part in the country’s pharmaceutical supply: Each day, around 350,000 medicinal products are picked for pharmacies, nursing homes and e-commerce retail. The expansion of the existing system with highly advanced KNAPP technologies has paved the way for fully automatic picking for brick and mortar pharmacies and nursing homes. With more stock available and faster lead times, Apotek 1 has laid a solid foundation for supplying an aging population
Taking full advantage
Fully automated processes
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More InformationWe are especially proud to be able to combine the various technologies intelligently and see how well they work together, which ultimately gives us a high degree of flexibility.
Morten Solberg
Director Logistics and Supply Chain, Apotek 1
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Successes of the collaboration
More capacity in the same space
Full automation for highest precision
High flexibility for all order structures
Performance ready to meet the demands of the future
The central belt conveyors with A-frame ejectors are automatically replenished with goods by the shuttle system using conveyors.
Automation as key to today’s pharma distribution
At Apotek 1, an end-to-end automated shuttle storage system forms the basis for efficient and extremely reliable distribution. The comprehensive all-in shuttle concept seamlessly integrates all processes, ensuring maximum performance along the entire value chain.
The solution is centered around a high-performance shuttle system serving as a platform that continuously supplies all connected picking modules with pharmaceutical products. The picking procedure is automated to a great extent, comprising various technologies that ensure highest process reliability, efficiency and precision:
- 45 % of the goods are processed at ergonomic Pick-it-Easy work stations
- 30 % are processed on the central belt conveyor with A-frame ejectors
- 12 % are handled by the Pick-it-Easy Robot
The high degree of automation reduces errors significantly, stabilizes processes and speeds up the overall warehouse workflow for a smooth and reliable supply that is ready for future demands in pharma retail
Central belt picking with automatic replenishment
Two central belt conveyors with A-frame ejectors boasting 2,176 channels pick up to 3,000 items per hour. The channels are directly replenished from the shuttle system without the need for racks. This speeds up the supply process, reduces errors and keeps the material flow consistently high.
Picking at the Pick-it-Easy work stations and Pick-it-Easy Robots
The bulk of the items are picked at 11 Pick-it-Easy work stations and 2 Pick-it-Easy Robots. The robots work around the clock, processing 60 % of the SKUs, adapting flexibly to new packaging shapes. Simultaneously, ergonomic work stations ensure that employees can work safely and comfortably.
Picking at the Pick-it-Easy work stations and Pick-it-Easy Robots
The bulk of the items are picked at 11 Pick-it-Easy work stations and 2 Pick-it-Easy Robots. The robots work around the clock, processing 60 % of the SKUs, adapting flexibly to new packaging shapes. Simultaneously, ergonomic work stations ensure that employees can work safely and comfortably.
When we started working with the robot stations, we were surprised at how robust they are and how many different shapes of products they can handle.
Morten Solberg
Director Logistics and Supply Chain, Apotek 1
items per day
SKUs (stock-keeping units)
storage locations in the shuttle system
m2 of warehousing space (~120,000 sq ft)
order lines per day
robot picks per hour
All-in shuttle: powerfully dynamic storage and picking
The shuttle system is the heart of the Apotek 1 distribution center, making full automation a reality. Boasting over 69,000 storage locations inside a compact, highly dynamic architecture, the system provides items for every picking strategy in a fast, sequenced and flexible way. All the relevant product categories, from Rx to cold-storage goods, are processed in a single system and can be accessed anytime, anywhere in the distribution center. The modular platform grows with the business, shortens lead times and provides top performance on a minimal footprint. This makes the solution scalable, future-proof and ideal for time-critical pharmaceutical processes.
Key benefits of the all in shuttle solution
- 100 % automation – one system for storage, replenishment and picking
- High storage density providing 69,000 storage locations on a minimal footprint
- Dynamic workflows thanks to a fast and sequenced supply of goods
- All product categories in one system, from Rx to cold-storage goods, including narcotics
- Access to all SKUs anytime, anywhere in the warehouse
- Scalable and modular – a system that can grow with product range and volumes
- Optimized lead times for time-critical pharmaceutical orders
- A platform that delivers performance while complying with regulations, making it fit for the future
Key benefits of the all in shuttle solution
- 100 % automation – one system for storage, replenishment and picking
- High storage density providing 69,000 storage locations on a minimal footprint
- Dynamic workflows thanks to a fast and sequenced supply of goods
- All product categories in one system, from Rx to cold-storage goods, including narcotics
- Access to all SKUs anytime, anywhere in the warehouse
- Scalable and modular – a system that can grow with product range and volumes
- Optimized lead times for time-critical pharmaceutical orders
- A platform that delivers performance while complying with regulations, making it fit for the future
Supreme performance: Pick-it-Easy Robot picking up to 1,600 items per hour
With the help of KNAPP, Apotek 1 has optimized their value chain for the long run, from the moment the pharmaceuticals enter the warehouse to when they end up in the patient’s hands. The expansion of the shuttle system, and the integration of two central belt conveyors with A-frame ejectors and two Pick-it-Easy Robots lead to a reduction in manual steps, increased precision and shorter lead times. This solution was centered around an equal partnership that addresses changing order structures, makes optimal use of the available space and stabilizes processes for years to come. What’s more, Apotek 1 banks on KNAPP’s comprehensive service portfolio, which has their warehouse covered on all fronts: a 24/7 Service Desk, preventive maintenance, Field Service Support including a 24/7 monitoring software for their IT infrastructure. Together, we therefore make sure that all the system parts perform reliably so that vital medicines arrive where they are needed
