Coca-Cola orders robotic warehouse system from Swisslog
Swisslog has secured an order for the first of its PowerStore intralogistics systems from Coca-Cola Malaysia.
As part of Coca-Cola Malaysia’s investment of RM500 million ($119 million) to expand the size and production capacity of its current plant at Bandar Enstek, the company has commissioned Swisslog for a flexible, robotic, data-driven automated warehouse for intralogistics.
This will make it the first Swisslog PowerStore system in South East Asia.
Coca-Cola’s plant in Bandar Enstek serves as the halal production hub for the Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei markets.
The plant at Enstek will help the company achieve it’s objective of increasing density in an existing warehouse and consolidate operations in Singapore and Brunei.
PowerStore from Swisslog is part of the intralogistics automation provider’s technology offerings that meet the requirements of Industry 4.0.
It is integrated into Swisslog’s SynQ software platform, an advanced warehouse management system.
SynQ intelligently connects and synchronizes automation equipment, robotics, people and processes.
The PowerStore system not only increases storage space, throughput and productivity in Coca-Cola’s highbay warehouse, it also reduces energy reliance compared to traditional AS/RS crane-based systems.
The scope of the project also includes an Electric Monorail System (EMS) to transfer the pallets between the production lines and the PowerStore highbay warehouse, providing better scalability and accessibility.
Gareth McGeown, CEO, Coca-Cola Bottlers Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei, says: “I am very excited that we constantly strive to bring the best technology into Malaysia to continue to enhance our environmentally friendly, world-class Halal manufacturing facility.
“Swisslog was a partner of choice for multiple reasons. Having been in the SE Asian region for over two decades, Swisslog is a well-established provider and has successfully delivered a number of complex and innovative projects in the region.
“Their deep domain expertise and advancements in industrial robotics and intralogistics enable us to achieve greater operational efficiencies, increased storage capacity and seamless distribution, thereby helping us to deliver at the speed of business.
“When this project is completed, Coca-Cola Malaysia will become the regional hub and center of excellence for advanced, automated intralogistics.”
Koh Seng Teck, head of Southeast Asia for Swsisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions, says: “Swisslog has a long-standing relationship with Coca-Cola, having completed a number of successful implementations of several major automated and data-driven intralogistics systems in markets as diverse as China, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.
“Our partnership is built on a strong foundation of trust and commitment.
“This project is another indicator of how we are redefining the future of intralogistics solutions and demonstrates the success of our growth strategy in the region.
“This is our first PowerStore deployment in the SEA [Southeast Asia] region and is a matter of great pride and achievement.”
Swisslog is part of the Kuka Group.