Westfalia

Automated storage and logistics systems

Since 1971, we have consistently combined traditional craftsmanship with high-tech: A specialist for automation along the entire supply chain, Westfalia group designs, implements and modernises highly efficient and reliable automated storage and logistics systems worldwide. The company was founded at its German headquarters in Borgholzhausen. Here it will move to a state-of-the-art, flexible and energy-efficient planning and manufacturing facility in 2023.

More than 500 customers place their trust in our know-how. Westfalia logistics systems are in daily use with more than 1000 of our storage and retrieval machines in 20 countries. Since 2005, the intralogistics systems automated by us have been controlled by our Savanna.NET® Warehouse Execution System (WES). Its importance will continue to grow in the future.

Pallet conveyor systems

Westfalia pallet conveyor systems are defined by their flexible and modular construction, which can be adapted to local conditions at any site. Accessibility issues are addressed right from the start of the design process in order to simplify inspection and maintenance. Optimum control of the individual conveyor units ensures safe, energy-saving and low-noise pallet transportation.

Our standard range covers use in different temperature zones. Transportation of different pallet types (euro, industrial, Düsseldorf, plastic, and custom pallets) is included in the standard version, which can handle a payload of up to 1,200 kg per unit load. System versions for heavy and special loads can be produced in our own facility if required.

Loading and unloading systems

Innovation all the way: Our intelligent loading and unloading systems connect intralogistics with transportation logistics across several locations.

It is not enough to simply look at partial processes within a logistics system. The processes are joined together to form the overall logistics chain – and it is these joins that provide potential for improvement. There are great options for optimising procedures at the point where vehicles are loaded and unloaded. Slow, complicated goods handling puts a truck's time-critical route schedule at risk. Inadequately secured loads are a hazard on the road and impair the quality of the goods that are transported.

In our work, we concentrate on generating advanced technologies that simplify and accelerate loading – and at the same time improve safety. Our engineers develop innovative aids to fetching goods from storage and taking them to their destination efficiently. The focus is on seamlessly integrating truck transportation and on optimum utilisation of load capacities.

Automated high-bay warehouses

Thanks to their efficient use of area and space, high-bay warehouses provide a high storage capacity for pallet rack positions. This ensures optimum utilisation of premises and more efficient intralogistics through optimised material flow paths. Especially where large amounts of goods with a high handling capacity need to be stored within a limited area on site, high-bay warehouses are recommended in order to minimise logistics costs.

The higher level of automation of our fully automated storage systems offers you an economical alternative to manual rack storage operated by forklift trucks in existing, self-supporting buildings. Customised to suit your particular needs, our warehouse logistics solutions help you store goods fast and with high precision, increasing your goods turnover and delivery readiness. This gives you greater cost efficiency and scalability.

Storage / retrieval machines

There is only so much industrial space. As companies grow, their intralogistics requirements, too, increase in size and complexity. Semi-automated and fully automated high-bay warehouses allow vertical instead of horizontal growth – even far beyond the storage heights that can be reached by manual forklifts and automated industrial trucks.

Our proprietary SRMs enable you to implement high-bay warehouses of 40 meters or more in height. Our patented Satellite® load handling device maximises storage density in extremely deep storage channels; thanks to special storage profiles for multi-deep storage this process is highly pallet-compatible and material-friendly. We specialise in single-deep, double-deep, space and volume saving high-density storage in silo design or in new or existing self-supporting buildings.

Load handling devices

With the key technologies of Satellite® and telescopic fork as load handling devices, Westfalia has designed precisely fitting and flexible storage systems that are suited to high loads and different sizes.

As "multitools", automated storage systems must dynamically adjust to supply and demand. Designed to accommodate a large number of goods, they must be capable of handing several load carriers of different sizes, loads and packing heights, ideally without pallets, at the same time. Some industries such as the corrugated cardboard industry store goods on a large area and in stacks. Depending on its position in the material flow, the warehouse needs to hold the necessary stock of raw materials and finished goods available, or fulfil a buffer or replenishment function along the production line.

Our load handling devices can handle different load carriers, sizes and high loads in normal temperature warehouses, refrigerated warehouses or deep-freeze warehouses. Depending on the task and access frequency, either our proprietary Satellite® or telescopic fork is used.