Europa Warehouse announces automation investment

Specialist 3pl logistics provider, Europa Warehouse is developing its 715,000 sq ft 3pl facility in Corby further with £11m investment into state-of-the-art automation. 

Europa Warehouse, a division of leading logistics firm, Europa Worldwide Group,  is working with psb intralogistics GmbH to implement the new technology. The family business based in Pirmasens, Germany, is a provider of innovative automation solutions which are completely tailored for the customer's business requirements.

Europa completed the £60m facility last year, despite the challenges of Covid-19, doubling its logistics portfolio. Now, Europa is nearing the next stage of evolution at the site, with a major investment into the very latest automated systems – the first to be implemented at one of Europa’s award-winning facilities. 

Maria Torrent March, Europa Warehouse’s Logistics Director comments: “After a whirlwind year in 2020, where resources within logistics companies were pushed to their limits, we are delighted to be able to announce a major investment into automation at our largest warehouse in Corby. The new technology will allow us to fulfil our commitment to our customers – improving efficiencies to cater for the increase in demand.”

The new, cutting edge technology will create increased efficiencies for Europa’s customers, including a number of e-commerce and blue-chip online retailers – most of which have experienced vast growth following the e-commerce boom.  

The new automation includes the use of Goods-to-Person (GTP) technology to eliminate time consuming and unproductive activities.

These new efficiencies, including the use of an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) will allow Europa to pick 136,000 bottles per day, enabling the 3pl experts to handle a capacity of circa fifty million bottles per annum, whilst the Multi Order Picking Station (MOPS), will offer huge labour management benefits and improved efficiencies.

In addition, system productivity will be enhanced with a rotapick station (GTP) which improves pick rates (items picked vs. hours of work) for slower moving SKU by using a patented rotating system which holds up to 48 orders open at one time.

Finally, the selektron Warehouse Control System will remove pick errors and allow pick speed and accuracy to be monitored at a station level, driving warehouse performance.

Maria continues: “Most importantly, automation will allow Europa Warehouse to provide a streamlined service, giving us the ability to better plan and predict the flow of goods, assisting our customers in the ever-growing demand for e-commerce and support the developing consumer trend of next day deliveries.”

Peter Light, Business Development Manager at psb said: “We are delighted to be supporting Europa Warehouse with new automation at its state-of-the-art Corby site. Our intelligent automated manufacturing and distribution technology solutions will transform how Europa fulfils its customer’s orders. The concept is proven and reliable, and the modular design of psb selektron has been individually adapted with intelligent processes to work alongside the existing IT infrastructure.”

Europa Warehouse provides a range of value-added capabilities including e-commerce fulfilment, production services, inventory management, packing, labelling, special deliveries, final assembly, quality control and critical parts management.

The new 25-acre site at Corby allowed Europa Warehouse to efficiently move and expand its logistics operations, providing optimal quality and value for its customer base.

As an industry leader, with cutting edge bespoke systems, a global distribution network and first-call facilities, from the moment goods arrive at Europa’s warehouse facilities, to the moment they are dispatched – the team deliver a quick, robust and cost-effective service. 

Europa Worldwide Group is an ambitious independent logistics operator with six divisions – Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, Europa Showfreight, Europa Warehouse, Europa Contact Centre and Continental Cargo Carriers.   Europa was recently featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for the third time.