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3 min read
Making breakthroughs in temperature-sensitive storage
Haugaland Storhusholdning, a leading Norwegian grocery wholesaler, has made history by becoming the world's first company to successfully implement the AutoStore Multi-Temperature Solution in a dedicated frozen zone.
After realizing the need for upgraded frozen storage systems, the company chose an AutoStore solution that allowed them to integrate multiple frozen storage zones within a single grid system. Empowered by StrongPoint, this upgrade has redefined what's possible in temperature-sensitive warehousing, delivering exceptional improvements in operational efficiency, storage density, and employee working conditions.
"Automation of frozen goods increases our operational efficiency significantly, and creates a safer work environment for our employees."
Oskar Kirkeleit,
CEO, Haugaland Storhusholdning
The Challenge: No Existing Automation Solution for Frozen Goods
Haugaland Storhusholdning faced growing warehouse capacity demands and needed a solution for aging freezer infrastructure that no longer met their operational needs. The company wanted a solution capable of handling the challenges of sub-zero storage, and it needed to enable growth without expanding the physical facility.
Traditional automated storage systems cannot operate in frozen environments, and no market-ready solution existed for automated frozen storage. The company needed to find a partner to help them pioneer an entirely new approach to temperature-controlled warehousing so that they could maintain product integrity across multiple temperature zones. They also wanted to improve operational efficiency and employee working conditions.
The Solution: Multi-Temperature Grid Technology
AutoStore's Multi-Temperature Solution provided the breakthrough Haugaland Storhusholdning needed. This system enabled the world's first integration of frozen goods handling within an automated Grid, and consolidated three temperature zones — frozen, chilled, and ambient — into a single, highly efficient automated system.
The Grid's modular design allows for high-density storage, with a Robot fleet that functions across all temperature zones. Precise temperature control is maintained, retrieval speed is increased, and storage space is optimized. Workplace safety and comfort is also increased, as staff no longer need to work in harsh, freezing conditions.
Workplace safety and comfort at Haugaland Storhusholdning is increased, as staff no longer need to work in harsh, freezing conditions.
"This turned out much better than expected. It is a much more efficient way of working. Before, we were always in each other’s way. There were four people operating forklifts and we would end up queueing behind each other. But now, all those problems are gone."
Magdalena Svendsbø,
Warehouse Worker, Haugaland Storhusholdning
Key Benefits: Performance Gains and Employee Well-being
The AutoStore Multi-Temperature Solution has delivered efficiencies in space, energy, and staff productivity:
- Operational excellence: Order processing for frozen goods improved by 54%, reducing fulfillment times and enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Optimized space: The system's high-density storage capacity allows for far more effective use of space across all temperature zones.
- Growth potential: The system has nearly tripled the company's capacity without requiring facility expansion, leaving room for growth.
- Employee well-being: Automation has virtually eliminated the need for workers to enter freezing environments, resulting in dramatically improved working conditions. As warehouse worker Yuwathida Saimee said, “We are happy about that! It is a bit horrible to go into the freezer and do the packing there. It is easier to do the packing now and it isn't cold.” Employees now work in comfortable ambient conditions while the AutoStore Robots handle all frozen zone operations. Due to this, absenteeism has significantly reduced, further boosting overall productivity.
- Scalability: The modular AutoStore design can be easily expanded when needed, without disrupting operations. Haugaland Storhusholdning can grow their operations incrementally as business demands increase.
"What's unique about this grid is that it is divided into 3 sections. We have one for frozen, one for ambient, and one for chilled. Automating with AutoStore and StrongPoint gives us the opportunity to grow our revenue by 3 times."
Thorstein Kirkeleit,
Business Development Manager, Haugaland Storhusholdning
The automated Grid has three temperature zones – frozen, chilled, and ambient, with precise temperature control maintained.
New Possibilities for Frozen Goods Warehousing
This installation demonstrates AutoStore's commitment and ability to solve complex warehousing challenges that were previously considered impossible. The success at Haugaland Storhusholdning opens new possibilities for grocery wholesalers, food distributors, and any organization requiring automated temperature-controlled storage solutions.
Project Specifications
- Implementation type: Brownfield
- Robots: 20 Red Line Robots
- Workstations (Ports): 4 CarouselPorts
- Bins: 12 332 Bins
- Warehouse Management System: StrongPoint custom WMS
- Integration partner: StrongPoint
- Customer: Haugaland Storhusholdning
