Equipped with double-deep load handling devices, six SSI Exyz storage and retrieval machines achieve up to 28 double cycles per hour in a six-aisle, 42-meter-high high-bay warehouse implemented at the Danish non-food retailer Schou . At peak times, up to 2,520 transport units per day can be processed.

The centerpiece of the new distribution center in Kolding.
The leading Danish non-food retailer has completely restructured its distribution logistics. Supplying customers from multiple manual warehouses is now a thing of the past. Instead, the company has consolidated all its activities in a fully integrated logistics and distribution center. The centerpiece of the 100,000 m² facility is the 42 -meter-high, fully automated high-bay warehouse with 40,000 pallet spaces, which operates entirely without manual intervention. Since its commissioning at the end of 2023, the facility has operated without any unplanned downtime.

Schou specializes in home and living products and supplies retailers and online shops in Scandinavia and continental Europe. Its customers include non-food retailers, DIY stores, and supermarket chains. A key differentiator is Schou's comprehensive service model – from product development to quality assurance – which enables its retail partners to expand their product range flexibly and quickly.

Everything under one roof

The full-service model has been very well received in the market and has generated double-digit growth rates for years. To secure its expansion strategy in the long term, Schou decided in 2021 to consolidate its distribution and relocate its headquarters to Kolding in East Jutland.

“For sustainable growth, we had to significantly expand our capacities. At the same time, we wanted to create reserves for the future. The high storage density of the new system now makes both possible,” explains Rune Skou Raun, Supply Chain Director at Schou.

Practical solutions 

The decision to choose SSI Schäfer was made in October 2021. The decisive factor was their ability to deliver a turnkey solution from a single source – including storage and conveyor technology. Equally important was their extensive intralogistics expertise. Although the building plans were already finalized at the start of the project, SSI Schäfer's experts were able to increase performance and reduce projected operating costs through layout adjustments.

SC boss RS Raun

“Together with Schou, we closely examined the strengths of manual and automated warehouse processes,” says René Elgaard, Managing Director of SSI Schäfer in Denmark. “Our goal was to combine the advantages of both worlds in a high-performance overall solution.” One example is the promotional merchandise area: “To ensure maximum flexibility, this area is designed for manual order picking using forklifts . ”

60 picking stations

Employees have access to 60 picking stations, which are automatically supplied with pallets from the high-bay warehouse via conveyor technology. This ensures product availability at all stations at all times – downtime and delays are avoided.

For maximum operational reliability, each pallet is inspected upon receipt. An installed NOK station detects overloads or damaged packaging and sorts out affected pallets before they enter the automated system.

Maximum availability

As part of the project, SSI Schäfer developed a software interface that enables communication between Schou's warehouse management system and the control system of the "The system has been running flawlessly for over a year. For us, that's a real success," emphasizes Rune Skou Raun.

The «Shipping Buffer»

A key success factor is the permanently installed maintenance team – two full-time SSI Schäfer employees work hand in hand with the company's own technicians. " Thanks to the proactive maintenance concept, we can reliably handle two shifts a day, five days a week."

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