Packaging equipment specialist Multivac has expanded with an $11.2 million state-of-the-art logistics center at its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City, MO. Aimed at modernizing and streamlining spare parts order fulfillment and logistics processes, the 33,000 square foot addition houses 7,000 individual spare part SKU’s.
 
A new $4 million automated storage and retrieval system employs 12 robots picking 2000 parts per day. With a 30% increase in efficiencies, customers have ready access to wear parts and critical electronics on an immediate basis to both keep their machines running and to return lines to production quickly after a breakdown. The logistics center is home to a mobile cantilever racking system, allowing prompt shipment of over 300 stock machines annually.
 
“Stacking up to 3 large machines vertically in the new mobile cantilever racks has allowed us to bring our entire large equipment inventory in-house for faster, streamlined handling and fulfillment of customer orders,” said Markus Walderich, chief technical officer, Multivac, Inc. “The investment coincides with Multivac’s current and future growth, enabling us to scale alongside our customers.”
 
The expansion project includes three key areas:
 
• Ability to exceed World Class Organization benchmarks by filling more than 90% of orders for spare parts from MULTIVAC’s Kansas City-based inventory during Q1 2021;
• Reduced manual touches and part verification processes to deliver customers the correct parts quickly with less human error; and
• High-density robotic rack system emphasizing space efficiencies to house individual spare part SKU’s allowing room for expanded inventory and demand.