Internationale Weinlogistik GmbH / HAWESKO Holding AG (D)

Order picking with an electric motor

In the humidor, the temperature is 18º Celsius and the humidity level is a constant 65% around the clock. Countless sensors continually measure and monitor the precise values, because temperature and humidity are decisive quality factors in the humidor at IWL Internationale Wein Logistik GmbH on Großer Moorweg in Tornesch, near Hamburg. Here, thousands of high-quality wines, champagnes, gifts and other food and non-food products are kept in the high-level store that comprises 23,000 pallet spaces. "From this B2C warehouse, we supply to private end customers. The average order quantity is two cases or 24 bottles and the quantity we ship is around two million parcels each year," says Frank Göbels, Managing Director of IWL. Since February 2012, 45 Wanzl KT4 "drive" order picking trolleys, featuring a fifth wheel with an integrated electric drive, for manual order picking on a small scale, have been rolling through the humidor; a second delivery of five more trolleys was made in summer 2013. In a two-year pilot and planning phase, Wanzl worked with the customer from Tornesch to develop a special version of the KT4 "drive" order picking trolley with sloping wire shelves.

Frank Göbels explains: "We included the order picking staff in the development process, and up to 25 order pickers spent several weeks testing the Wanzl prototypes. We then moved to the optimisation stage. "When the first delivery of 45 new, electrically driven KT 4 'drive' order picking trolleys from Wanzl replaced the previous, manually operated trolleys two years ago, it was like changing from a bicycle to a car," comments Zekeriya Karakol, Production Manager at the IWL logistics centre on Großer Moorweg. In the hub of the fifth wheel, attached underneath the centre of the trolley, is an integrated low-maintenance and low-wear electric motor for moving the trolley, ensuring track precision and effortless and safe manoeuvring. The maximum speed is up to 6 km/h depending on load. The electric motor can be operated at several speeds using two rocker switches on the handle for left- and right-handed people. At IWL, the trolleys are usually pulled. "This means that the staff always have a clear view ahead of them, which reduces the risk of accidents," says Frank Göbels. An efficient lithium polymer battery supplies the motor with power. "At our site, the trolleys are in constant use for 10 hours, the maximum length of a shift." Then there is a convenient battery change and a quick recharge.