Peterhans Handwerkercenter integrated AutoStore within the shop, significantly enhancing storage capacity and warehouse efficiency. The integration also created a unique customer experience, allowing them to observe the AutoStore system as it processes orders.  

Peterhans Handerwerkercenter AG stores and sells building materials, tools, machines, fittings, fastening equipment, and personal protective equipment directly to customers and wholesalers in the building trade. Additionally, Peterhans specialises in the assembly and installation of hardware for industrial and commercial customers and offers household appliances and related goods. Due to its continuous growth, Peterhans invested in AutoStore and a micro-fulfilment centre in 2018.

A combined physical store and warehouse facility is often called a micro-fulfilment centre and aligns with ever-changing customer demands. A micro-fulfilment centre provides flexibility, predictability, and fast deliveries to customers visiting the store and those who prefer to shop online.

Immediately after installation, the system made it possible to meet customer expectations of same-day delivery and a shorter waiting period at the pick-up counters inside the shop.

“We are a retail company that wants to stand out from others through customer proximity,” Dieter Egloff, Deputy Managing Director at Peterhans Handwerkercenter AG says.

“By integrating the AutoStore system directly into our retail store, it was possible to simplify processes and eliminate long walking distances, and also give our customers a more engaging shopping experience – and word gets around really fast,” Egloff continues.

Increased storage capacity and streamlined picking processes

The AutoStore system delivered by Element Logic drastically increased the storage capacity and streamlined the picking process for Peterhans.

“We can count on a powerful, automated small-parts warehouse to secure our customers’ expectations on quick order fulfilment,” Dieter Egloff, Deputy Managing Director at Peterhans Handerwerkercenter AG, explains.

As the ports are located next to the sales counters, customers can watch the orders being processed on-site, enabling a unique customer experience while preparing Peterhans for the changing customer demands.

Main reason for choosing an AutoStore solution

”In the course of a holistic realignment of our logistics, the AutoStore system serves as the central core,” Dieter Egloff says, and continues: “The simplicity of the technology, the flexibility of the storage grid and the output convinced us from the start. Thanks to perfect support and implementation by Element Logic, we can count on a powerful, automated small parts warehouse to secure our customers’ expectations regarding quick order fulfilment.”

“We examined various logistics facilities in operation and visited reference sites with AutoStore solutions. When we weighed up all the factors, it quickly became clear: An AutoStore solution was on our wish list. The simplicity of the technology, the flexibility of the storage concept, and the output convinced us right from the start.”

The AutoStore system has also greatly benefited the employees: “AutoStore simplifies important warehouse processes and supports our employees considerably in their daily work.”

“The cooperation with Element Logic was very rewarding from the start, and we benefited greatly from their knowledge. Project management was also very smooth and easy. During the building phase, the team was able to implement adjustments according to our wishes quickly. It was an asset to have Element Logic onboard for our automation project. Our system is a testament to a great partnership,” Egloff says.

A micro fulfilment centre is an investment in the future

The AutoStore solution has saved the company 80 percent of the available floor space, making future expansion possible. The system supports employees in their daily work, which is now much less labour-intensive than before. The employees no longer need to walk long distances and lift heavy goods.

“With 500,000 items, it is easy to imagine there would be some delivery errors. But with the support of the AutoStore system provided by Element Logic, we can pick items from the system with nearly zero errors.”

It has indeed been an investment for the future, Egloff concludes. “We are continuously strengthening our business through future-oriented investments in digitisation and logistics, and we expect to see a return on our investment within five years. The solution also enables us to increase sales with the same number of employees.”

“With the AutoStore solution and a micro fulfilment centre, we were able to meet the steady growth and even the rapid increase in online orders due to the pandemic, without additional resources. It was an investment in the future from the very beginning.”

“Peterhans and Element Logic worked closely right from the planning phase. The main goals were to improve processes and maximise storage capacity in the existing building,” Joachim Kieninger says, Director Strategic Business Development Element Logic Germany.

The AutoStore system at Peterhans

The AutoStore system is covering 400 square metres, uses the 220 millimetre bins and has eight levels for a total of 11,650 bins. By subdividing the bins, Peterhans can increase its storage density by placing multiple product lines in one bin.

Six operator ports move items in and out of storage, and three picking ports are visible to customers awaiting order fulfilment. Additional ports, not visible to customers, pick online shop orders for external deliveries and collections. The ten robots on top lift bins containing the required goods, deliver the bins to the workstations, and then restack them. An express order, for which there is no prior notification, takes a robot only four minutes to retrieve from the lowest bin level. On average, a customer order takes less than two minutes to arrive at the sales counter.

Dieter Egloff explains the main reasons for choosing an AutoStore solution:  

“We examined various logistics facilities in operation and visited reference sites with AutoStore solutions. When we weighed up all the factors, it quickly became clear: An AutoStore solution was on our wish list. The simplicity of the technology, the flexibility of the storage concept, and the output convinced us right from the start.” 

The AutoStore system has also greatly benefited the employees: “AutoStore simplifies important warehouse processes and supports our employees considerably in their daily work.”