Fresh logistics: cold storage intralogistics automation for high-quality dairy products – Asia/Japan know-how – innovative solution & example

🏙️ Smart Cities: Urbanization and intelligent city development

Many discourses emphasize that Asian countries play a leading role in some sectors and developments from which Europe can also benefit. This is particularly clear in the area of ​​urbanization, where Asian metropolises are setting new standards with their smart city concepts. These intelligent, connected urban structures not only optimize city life in terms of traffic flows and energy management, but also show innovative ways in urbanism that can inspire emulation.

🚚 Focus on logistics: frozen food and food transport

Equally noteworthy is the aspect of logistics, particularly in the sector of frozen foods and other perishable foods. Fresh and chilled logistics have reached a remarkable market in Asia, characterized by the continuous development of advanced technologies and processes. Automation and the seamless integration of cold chains play a central role in ensuring the quality and safety of food from the producer to the end consumer. This sophisticated logistics is crucial for dealing with sensitive foods, whose freshness and quality have a direct impact on the health of consumers.

🤝 Global Learning and Collaboration: Intercultural Exchange

It is therefore worth daring to look beyond Europe and study the innovative approaches of our Asian neighbors. Many of these innovations could also be implemented in Europe, taking into account local conditions and standards, and contribute to improving our own urban and logistical systems. The intercultural exchange of expertise and technology offers the opportunity not only to learn from existing solutions, but also to address common global challenges in a collaborative manner.

Vinamilk: 🥛 Dairy products and innovative storage processes

Fresh logistics is a crucial factor in the food industry, especially when it comes to high-quality dairy products. A clear example of the progressive handling of this challenge comes from the Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company, or Vinamilk for short. This company, a market leader in the Vietnamese dairy industry, has innovatively optimized its storage processes to meet their demanding requirements.

In January 2019, Vinamilk commissioned a new, automated cold storage facility for finished products at the Saigon Dairy Factory. The construction of this modern facility aimed to expand storage capacity and increase operational efficiency - both necessary steps to keep pace with the company's dynamic growth.

📦 The importance of automatic storage system

The system relies on an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), which has made a significant contribution to increasing the efficiency of shipping processes. This system allows finished milk products to be cooled and at the same time prepared for rapid distribution.

🏭 Production in Saigon and export

At its production facility in Saigon, Vinamilk produces 30 different items, including yogurt and Probi Yogur. The latter is a fermented milk product that contains probiotic bacteria that promise consumers various health benefits. The products not only have a permanent place in Vietnamese supermarkets, convenience shops and other retail outlets, but also find their way as export goods to other Asian nations as well as to New Zealand and Australia.

🥶 Automated cold storage: increased efficiency and quality assurance

Before the automated cold storage facility was set up, the finished products were stored in a traditional manner on fixed shelves. However, as production grew, storage capacity and logistics reached their limits. It became increasingly difficult to manage shipping without delays and unnecessary work steps. Here, intralogistics automation in refrigerated warehouses not only offered a solution to the space problems, but also significantly shortened delivery times and reduced labor intensity.

🏗️ Improved workflows and storage quality

The implementation of the new system has significantly changed the workflow at Vinamilk. By automatically transporting products from the production line to the warehouse and finally to the shipping area, high productivity was achieved while at the same time reducing error rates. This precision is particularly important for the handling of dairy products, as they pose special storage requirements due to their perishability.

🌡️ Consistent cooling conditions and inventory management

Automation in cold storage logistics not only meant an increase in storage space, but also led to an improvement in product quality through constant cooling conditions. Any temperature fluctuation can affect the quality of dairy products, so a consistently low temperature in the automated warehouse contributes significantly to maintaining the freshness of the products.

In addition, the new technical possibilities enabled better tracking and management of inventory, which is of immense importance in fresh produce logistics. With the AS/RS, every single product can be perfectly tracked from its production to delivery to the customer - a major advantage not only in terms of food safety, but also for the efficiency of the recall processes that are sometimes required in the food industry.

🌐 Investment in the future and quality assurance

The example of Vinamilk shows how important it is for a growing company to constantly develop its internal logistics and optimize it with the help of technological innovations. Vinamilk's decision to invest in a state-of-the-art cold storage system illustrates that the right infrastructure not only helps scale the business but is also a crucial pillar in ensuring the quality and freshness of the products.

In a world where consumers place increasing value on high quality and fresh food, the Vietnamese company shows that technological investments in the field of refrigerated logistics are crucial to meet market demands and ultimately provide consumers with a product that meets their expectations corresponds.

📣 Similar topics

• 🌏 Asian Innovations in Urbanization and Logistics: Lessons for Europe
• 🌐 Think outside the box: Asian logistics and urban development in focus
• 🥛 Vinamilk: Pioneer in automated refrigerated logistics for high-quality dairy products
• 🤝 Intercultural exchange: Asian logistics strategies for European companies
• 🏆 Vinamilk's success: The importance of automated refrigerated logistics in Asia
• 🚚 Logistics innovations in Asia: Fresh logistics as a success factor
• 🐄 Vinamilk: Efficient cooling logistics in milk production
• 🌟 Asian logistics in focus: Vinamilk's automated cold storage as a role model
• 💡 Innovation potential: Asian logistics strategies and their relevance for Europe
• ❄️ Refrigerated Logistics 4.0: Vinamilk's pioneering practices in the dairy industry

#️⃣ Hashtags: #AsianInnovations #Logistics #FreshLogistics #ColdLogistics #Vinamilk

Asian countries such as Japan in particular are considered pioneers here. Tokyo, one of the largest cities in the world with over 38 million inhabitants, impressively shows how high population density and quality of life can be combined with the help of innovative urban and infrastructure planning. The expansion of efficient transport and supply systems has been the focus here for decades.

More about it here:

• Development from Japan: Automation in fresh produce logistics is becoming increasingly important

Vinamilk is the largest food company in Vietnam. Vinamilk has around 3,000 employees in eight domestic plants, as well as a wide product range with over 200 milk raw materials and milk products, juices and beers. Product brands include VFresh, Dielac and Yomilk. Vinamilk has a 75 percent market share in dairy products and has a dense sales network of representatives and agencies in all Vietnamese provinces. Vinamilk products are exported to various countries in Southeast Asia, Australia, the United States, France, Canada, Poland, Germany and the Middle East, such as Iraq.

🌐 The modern world of logistics

In the modern logistics world, challenges such as the efficient storage and handling of temperature-sensitive products can be overcome through sophisticated technology. A shining example of such innovations is the automatic unit load racking system that stores products at a controlled temperature of 2 to 6 degrees Celsius.

💪 The state-of-the-art system

This state-of-the-art double-depth automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) represents an optimal solution to increasing storage needs and was the answer to the growth challenges of a company that was faced with efficiency issues in warehouse operations due to limited space. With an impressive height of 20.5 meters, the system maximizes floor-to-ceiling storage space. It offers a capacity for 3,520 pallets, a fourfold increase in storage options compared to the previous system, and thus makes optimal use of the vertical dimensions of the warehouse.

⭐ The range of innovations

The range of innovations includes a smooth and integrated interaction of various components - from production to shipping. Originally, the products are palletized according to type in the factory and transported using conveyor belts. A forklift then brings the pallets into the automated warehouse. In the subsequent step, the goods are put together (picking). To do this, the products are reorganized and palletized according to the shipping orders for the next day. The preparation process is completed by storing the palletized goods again in the AS/RS.

⏳ Precise shipping preparation

The products are only brought to the shipping area on the following day, at the exact time the delivery vehicles arrive. This timing precision enables goods to be ready for dispatch in the shortest possible time, while the required low temperatures are consistently maintained.

👨‍💻 The warehouse management system

Smooth operations are made possible by a comprehensive warehouse management system (Warehouse Management System, WMS). This sophisticated system controls and controls all inventory levels and provides important data for real-time management of goods flows. The result is stringent quality assurance, a noticeable increase in work productivity and a minimization of error rates during shipping.

😊 Satisfied customers

This is also reflected in customer satisfaction. The management of one project was consistently positive about the implemented proposal. The aim of achieving efficiency in the warehouse-related processes was not only achieved through the use of the system, but exceeded. This success even led to a similar AS/RS being installed at the Tienson Dairy in Hanoi, which supplies supplies to the north of Vietnam.

🏆 The core benefit

The core benefit of the automatic shelving system is optimal use of space, reducing operational costs and improving overall efficiency. Innovative companies are no longer tied to traditional storage methods, but can use such systems to revolutionize their warehousing in order not only to keep up with growth, but to actively shape it.

📦 A significant step forward

The automated unit racking system represents a significant advancement in warehouse logistics, combining seamless operations with the necessary temperature control and ensuring efficient, error-free movement of goods from manufacturing to customer. It serves as a prime example of how intelligent warehouse solutions and the use of automation can increase competitiveness and customer satisfaction in the modern economy.

🧭 It integrates harmoniously

The automatic shelving system not only creates space-saving storage options, but also integrates harmoniously into an intelligent network of operational processes. By playing a crucial role in the supply chain strategy, it sustainably promotes company growth.

⚙ The technology behind the system

The technology behind the AS/RS and WMS is both complex and impressive. Advanced sensors and algorithms control the storage and retrieval of goods precisely and automatically, which virtually eliminates human errors. This aims to create a seamless just-in-time supply chain that minimizes inventory and shortens lead times. This improves the company's cash flow situation and increases customer satisfaction through faster delivery times.

🛡 It contributes to safety

It should be emphasized that such systems not only increase efficiency, but also contribute to safety at work. Automating tedious and repetitive tasks reduces the risk of workplace accidents and protects staff from the dangers of handling heavy loads and working in cold environments.

🥶 It contributes to product quality

By continuously maintaining cold storage conditions, the AS/RS contributes significantly to the quality and freshness of the products - a critical aspect, especially in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, where temperature fluctuations can quickly lead to quality losses. Compliance with strict regulatory requirements is also made significantly easier, as the temperature can be completely documented and monitored.

⏱ It is scalable

Another aspect that favors the introduction of such systems is scalability. As business volume increases, the system can be adapted and expanded accordingly. This ensures that investments are future-proof and adaptable without having to completely restructure existing processes.

📊 Digital transparency

The digitalization of warehouse management also enables improved transparency and data analysis. Big data analytics and artificial intelligence can be used to create forecasts, anticipate demand and thus keep inventory levels optimized. This leads to a reduction in excess inventory and an improvement in the flow of goods.

👨‍👩‍👧 It's also a cultural challenge

However, implementing such an advanced system is not only a technological challenge, but also a cultural one. It requires the willingness of management and all employees to learn and adopt new processes. In this context, an accompanying change management strategy is required to prepare the actors involved for the changes and to train them in how to use the new technology.

🏆 More than just a technological achievement

The automatic shelving system for unit loads represents much more than just a technological achievement. It embodies a comprehensive approach to warehouse optimization that takes business efficiency, workplace safety and product quality to a new level. It shows how the targeted use of automated solutions and intelligent software can not only overcome today's logistical challenges, but also use them as a driver for innovation and progress.

📣 Similar topics

• ❄️ Cold storage and efficient logistics: Automatic shelving system for cargo units
• 🧠 Intelligent warehouse management: The automatic shelving system in focus
• 🏭 Warehouse logistics 4.0: automation and temperature control in practice
• 🔮 Future of warehousing: Automatic shelving system in detail
• 🌡️ Perfect temperature control: The innovation of automatic load unit storage
• 🚀 On the rise: automated refrigerated logistics systems
• 📦 Dynamic warehousing: increasing efficiency through automation
• 🚚 From production to shipping: Seamless movement of goods thanks to automation
• 🤖 Intelligent goods management: The future of warehouse logistics
• ❄️ Cooling technology and efficiency: The automated shelving system in focus

#️⃣ Hashtags: #Automation #Logistics #Warehousing #Temperature Control #Innovation

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