Swedish outdoor lifestyle brand centralises European supply chain with state-of-the-art logistics hub
Swedish multinational Thule, a leading manufacturer of products for active lifestyles and outdoor enthusiasts, has partnered with Mecalux to optimise its European supply chain. The company plans to build a state-of-the-art automated warehouse in Krzyż Wielkopolski, Poland, which will centralise its European product range and serve additional international markets.
With a well-established network spanning 138 markets, this logistics automation will boost Thule’s competitiveness. “Our goals are to increase throughput, leverage our storage space and ensure product traceability,” says Pawe³ Pêpiak, Director of the Distribution Centre for Europe and ROW. “Automation will enhance cost efficiency and streamline processes, enabling us to deliver superior service and improve customer satisfaction.”
Thule’s new clad-rack warehouse will have dimensions of 51 meters in width, 135 meters in length, and 42 meters in height. It will feature six double-deep automated stacker cranes capable of handling nearly 40,000 pallets. Additionally, the facility will include a temperature and humidity control system. A conveyor and a pallet lift will create a direct connection between the automated warehouse and the existing manual warehouse and production hall.
The facility will include a floor-mounted electric monorail system designed to transport pallets from the receiving area to the automated warehouse. This system will also move goods from the storage area to one of the 16 flow channels located in the dock area.
Mecalux’s Easy WMS warehouse management system will manage all operations effectively. The software will assign storage locations based on product categories and turnover rates, organise order picking, and ensure product traceability. By combining digitalisation with automated systems, the system will minimise manual handling, enhance staff safety and ergonomics, and improve operational efficiency to meet the anticipated demand in the coming years.