Kardex demonstrated to manufacturers at Automate 2024 the huge potential offered by Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) technology to reduce their intralogistics footprint, cut workloads, manage spikes in demand, and enhance productivity

Chicago, IL 8th May, 2024 - Intralogistics solutions provider Kardex appeared at Automate 2024, North America's largest robotics and automation event in Chicago (May 6-9), demonstrating the fastest order fulfillment solution per square foot on the market. Kardex FulfillX is a warehouse execution system (WES) purpose-built to allow new AutoStore systems to ramp up faster and is capable of meeting or exceeding business cases in as little as six months. It has been specifically created by experts at Kardex, a global AutoStore partner, to maximize the capabilities of AutoStore robotic cube storage systems for manufacturing customers.

Kardex solutions offer manufacturers efficiency, flexibility and short training times

Visitors to stand #4681 at Automate 2024 saw FulfillX in action, with demonstrations of how it can create user-friendly, highly-configurable AutoStore systems. FulfillX optimizes picking and packing, while also streamlining putaway and other inventory processes. It provides a real-time overview of the whole operation in a simple window. Enhancements can be rapidly deployed by Kardex's dedicated AutoStore support team and digital twins enhance planning and commissioning.

As well as promoting the benefits of FulfillX, Kardex's booth used digital tools and augmented reality to bring to life the Kardex Intuitive Picking Assistant and its range of smart intralogistics solutions. Kardex's Intuitive Picking Assistant solution is suitable for a wide range of industrial manufacturing applications, including spare parts picking, visual direction, and kitting. It uses digital tools and augmented reality to enhance picking processes by responding to movements and projecting relevant picking information directly onto the surface of the access opening. The Intuitive Pick Assistant is compatible with both and AutoStore ports to facilitate accurate, ergonomic picking, and can be tailored to specific customer requirements. In addition, it can be used to direct operators through kitting processes.

As US manufacturers increasingly turn to warehouse automation technology, AutoStore empowered by Kardex FulfillX provides them with the opportunity to slash their facility footprint, reduce workload, manage spikes in demand, and address labor and skills shortages.

Commenting on Kardex's appearance at Automate 2024, Mitch Hayes, President of Kardex Solutions AutoStore, said, "Automate offered the ideal opportunity to introduce US manufacturers to AutoStore empowered by Kardex FulfillX. FulfillX represents the next evolution of ASRS technology. At Kardex we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with intralogistics automation. Our advanced software solutions provide manufacturers with the flexible, convenient and efficient capabilities they need to meet industry challenges now and in the future."

Real-world case studies

MAHLE
As a leading global parts and solutions provider to the Independent Aftermarket, MAHLE Aftermarket saw a shift in customer order profiles from larger pallet orders to smaller package orders in higher frequency. This resulted in an increasing number of shipping points per customer and shipping smaller quantities to more locations.

To accommodate this shift, MAHLE Aftermarket implemented an AutoStore system from Kardex in their Olive Branch, MS location to automate small parts handling. Stay tuned for the official release of the MAHLE case study in mid-May 2024.

Anyseals

One company benefiting from AutoStore empowered by Kardex is Anyseals, a global wholesale sealing supplier. Anyseals provides their distribution customers with services including just in time delivery, bar coding, kitting and custom labeling. The company was moving from a completely manual to an automated operation and implementing a new WMS at its main US facility in Ohio. They turned to Kardex for a space-efficient, flexible solution to increase efficiency in small parts handling and facilitate growth.

The Anyseals AutoStore system went live in October 2023 and Anyseals described working with Kardex as "a great experience", with employees happy with how the technology assists them with their work, 100% uptime at the facility and average picking time reduced from up to 15 minutes per pick to seconds, with substantial time saved on putaway as well. Rush orders are prioritized to ship on time and Anyseals is still learning what is possible with Kardex and AutoStore to enhance its processes further.

"The AutoStore solution will enable us to continue our strong growth trajectory and will enhance our ability to meet and exceed the high level of fulfilment execution for our customers", says Toby Rose, COO at Anyseals USA.

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About Kardex
Kardex is a global industry partner for intralogistics solutions and a leading supplier of automated storage solutions and material handling systems. The group consists mainly of two entrepreneurially managed divisions, Kardex Remstar and Kardex Mlog. Kardex is also a global AutoStore partner.
Kardex Remstar develops, produces, and maintains dynamic storage and retrieval systems and Kardex Mlog offers integrated materials handling systems and automated high-bay warehouses.
The two divisions are partners for their customers over the entire life cycle of a product or solution. This begins with the assessment of customer requirements and continues through planning, realization, and maintenance of customer-specific systems. It ensures a high level of availability combined with low total cost of ownership and operation. Approximately 2'100 employees in over 30 countries work for Kardex. Kardex Holding AG is listed on the Swiss SIX Stock Exchange since 1989.