thyssenkrupp Materials Services has established a new €60mn ($73mn) Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based logistics center in Rotenburg, Germany, as part of the Schulte subsidiary. The site can store up to 20,000mt of steel and aluminum materials and have 70 employees working in three shifts.
The site is a blueprint for the development of future sites for the company, which is the largest mill-independent materials distributor and service provider worldwide.
thyssenkrup’s new center is part of the company’s strategy “Materials as a Service” which analyzes materials flows, forecasts materials requirements per customer, and automates order processes.
The automation and digitalization processes required a redesign of the warehouse layout that could increase productivity and customize services. The logistics center also offers a wider range of steel materials, cutting options with shorter preparation times.
Driverless transport systems will move products directly to trucks with the ability for multiple truckloads placed simultaneously. Automation also reduces the risk of occupational accidents for employees.
The new site was planned with sustainability in mind both in supply chain management and construction with a focus on electricity, lowering emissions, and optimizing asset utilization.
Thyssenkrupp has 480 locations with 56pc or 271 warehouse locations. The company plans to upgrade more sites as economically feasible.
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