Optimised material flow for production and distribution centre

In conjunction with Krones’ logistics specialists, Chile’s biggest beverage producer, CCU S.A., which makes and sells beer, soft drinks, mineral water, juices, wine, Pisco, jam and other products, has put in place a warehouse management system that can be used on a cross-facility basis – aiming at creating enhanced transparency for the goods flows inside the group’s production and distribution centres, plus the routes to and from the purchasers. The group’s own logistics company, CCU Transportes, is tasked with sorting the empties, order-picking and distribution. In addition, this logistical service provider’s remit also includes nationwide exchange of goods between CCU’s individual production facilities and distribution centres. The group’s lorry fleet is supplying more than 100.000 end customers.
 The most important functions of the system are controlling and optimising order-picking and all transports by means of a forklift truck control system. The first site to be modernised was Temuco where the distribution centre disposes the production and filling lines products. During the day, the cross-company shipments are processed, and during the evening and night hours, the pallets for CCU’s customers are picked and loaded onto the lorries.
Gravity roller conveyors, push back and static racks support the order picking processes. Forklift truck terminals, scanners, pallets and storage locations that can be identified by a barcode control the stock movements. All pallets are marked with EAN 128 pallet labels.
 Long-term strategic planning provides for the introduction of automatic warehouse and order-picking systems, plus a consistently harmonised warehouse management and lift-truck control system for all nationwide distribution centres.