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

🏙️ Smart Cities: Urbanization and intelligent urban development

Many discussions highlight the leading role Asian countries play in certain sectors and developments, from which Europe can also benefit. This is particularly evident in the area of ​​urbanization, where Asian metropolises are setting new standards with their smart city concepts. These intelligent, networked urban structures not only optimize city life in terms of traffic flow and energy management, but also demonstrate innovative approaches to urban planning that can serve as models for others.

🚚 Logistics in focus: Frozen food and food transport

Equally noteworthy is the logistics aspect, particularly in the frozen food sector and other perishable goods. Fresh and refrigerated logistics has achieved a significant 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 producer to end consumer. This sophisticated logistics is crucial for handling sensitive foods, whose freshness and quality have a direct impact on consumer health.

🤝 Global Learning and Collaboration: Intercultural Exchange

It is therefore worthwhile to look beyond Europe and study the innovative approaches of our Asian neighbors. Many of these innovations could also be implemented in Europe, taking local conditions and standards into account, 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 shared global challenges collaboratively.

Vinamilk: 🥛 Dairy products and innovative storage processes

Freshness logistics is a crucial factor in the food industry, especially when it comes to high-quality dairy products. A prime example of how this challenge is being addressed 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 warehousing processes to meet its stringent requirements.

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

📦 The importance of the automated storage system

The facility utilizes an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), which has significantly contributed to increasing the efficiency of shipping processes. This system allows finished dairy products to be chilled and simultaneously prepared for rapid distribution.

🏭 Production in Saigon and export

At its production facility in Saigon, Vinamilk manufactures 30 different products, including yogurt and Probi Yogur. The latter is a fermented dairy product containing probiotic bacteria that promise various health benefits for consumers. The products are not only a staple in Vietnamese supermarkets, convenience stores, and other retail outlets, but are also exported to other Asian countries, as well as New Zealand and Australia.

🥶 Automated cold storage: Increased efficiency and quality assurance

Before the automated cold storage facility was built, finished products were stored conventionally on fixed shelves. However, with the growth of production, storage capacity and logistics reached their limits. Managing shipments without delays and unnecessary steps became increasingly difficult. Here, intralogistics automation in cold storage facilities offered not only a solution to the space problems, but also a significant reduction in delivery times and a decrease in labor intensity.

🏗️ Improved workflows and warehouse quality

The implementation of the new system has fundamentally changed workflows at Vinamilk. The automated transport of products from the production line to the warehouse and finally to the shipping area has resulted in high productivity while simultaneously reducing the error rate. This precision is particularly important for handling dairy products, as their perishability places special demands on storage.

🌡️ Consistent cooling conditions and inventory management

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

Furthermore, the new technological capabilities enabled better tracking and management of inventory, which is of immense importance in fresh food 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 recall processes, which are occasionally necessary in the food industry.

🌐 Investing in the future and quality assurance

Vinamilk's example demonstrates how crucial it is for a growing company to continuously develop its internal logistics and optimize them through technological innovations. Vinamilk's decision to invest in a state-of-the-art cold storage system illustrates that the right infrastructure not only contributes to business scaling but is also a crucial pillar for ensuring product quality and freshness.

In a world where consumers increasingly value high-quality and fresh food, the Vietnamese company demonstrates that technological investments in cold chain logistics are crucial to meeting market demands and ultimately delivering a product that meets consumers' expectations.

📣 Similar topics

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

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

Refrigerated logistics/fresh produce logistics: A refrigerated storage warehouse with automated material flow optimizes distribution processes – Image: Xpert.Digital

Asian countries, especially Japan, are considered pioneers in this area. Tokyo, with over 38 million inhabitants one of the world's largest cities, impressively demonstrates how high population density and quality of life can be reconciled through innovative urban and infrastructure planning. The development of efficient transport and supply systems has been a focus there 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. It employs approximately 3,000 people in eight domestic factories and offers a wide range of products, including over 200 dairy ingredients and dairy products, juices, and beers. Product brands include VFresh, Dielac, and Yomilk. Vinamilk holds a 75 percent market share in the dairy sector and has a dense distribution network of representatives and agencies throughout Vietnam. Vinamilk products are exported to various countries in Southeast Asia, Australia, the United States, France, Canada, Poland, Germany, and the Middle East, including Iraq.

Automated racking system for load units (2 to 6 degrees Celsius) – Image: Daifuku

🌐 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 advanced technology. A prime example of such innovation is the automated racking system for load units, which stores products at a controlled temperature of 2 to 6 degrees Celsius.

💪 The state-of-the-art system

This state-of-the-art double-deep automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) represents an optimal solution for increasing storage needs and was the answer to the growth challenges of a company facing inefficiencies 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, four times the storage capacity of the previous system, thus making optimal use of the warehouse's vertical dimensions.

⭐ The range of innovations

The range of innovations encompasses a seamless and integrated interaction of various components – from production to shipping. Initially, the products are palletized by type within the factory and transported via conveyor belts. A forklift then moves the pallets to the automated warehouse. The next step involves picking the goods. For this, the products are reorganized and palletized according to the shipping orders for the following day. The preparation process is completed with the temporary storage of the palletized goods in the AS/RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System).

⏳ Precise shipping preparation

Only on the following day, at the precise time of the delivery vehicles' arrival, are the products brought to the shipping area. This precise timing ensures that the goods are ready for shipment in the shortest possible time, while the required low temperatures are maintained without interruption.

👨‍💻 The warehouse management system

Smooth operations are made possible by a comprehensive warehouse management system (WMS). This sophisticated system monitors and controls all inventory levels and provides crucial data for real-time management of goods flows. The result is rigorous quality assurance, a significant increase in labor productivity, and a reduction in shipping errors.

😊 Satisfied customers

This is also reflected in customer satisfaction. For example, the management of one project consistently expressed positive feedback about the implemented proposal. The goal of achieving efficiency in warehouse-related processes was not only met but exceeded through the use of the system. This success even led to a similar AS/RS system being installed at the Tienson dairy in Hanoi, which ensures the supply of dairy products for northern Vietnam.

🏆 The core benefit

The core benefits of automated racking systems lie in optimal space utilization, reduced operating costs, and improved overall efficiency. Innovative companies are no longer bound to traditional warehousing methods but can revolutionize their inventory management with such systems, not only to keep pace with growth but to actively shape it.

📦 A significant step forward

The automated racking system for load units represents a significant advancement in warehouse logistics, combining seamless processes with the necessary temperature control and ensuring efficient, error-free goods movement from production to the 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 automated racking system not only creates space-saving storage options but also integrates seamlessly 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 as complex as it is impressive. Advanced sensors and algorithms precisely and automatically control the storage and retrieval of goods, virtually eliminating human error. This aims to create a seamless just-in-time supply chain, minimizing inventory and reducing lead times. This improves the company's cash flow and increases customer satisfaction through faster delivery times.

🛡 It contributes to safety

It is worth emphasizing that such systems not only increase efficiency but also contribute to workplace safety. Automating tiring and repetitive tasks reduces the risk of workplace accidents and protects personnel from the hazards that exist, particularly when handling heavy loads and working in cold environments.

🥶 It contributes to product quality

By continuously maintaining refrigerated storage conditions, the AS/RS significantly contributes 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 considerably simplified, as the temperature can be fully documented and monitored.

⏱ It is scalable

Another aspect that favors the implementation 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 requiring a complete restructuring of existing processes.

📊 Digital Transparency

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

👨‍👩‍👧 It is also a cultural challenge

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

🏆 More than just a technological achievement

The automated racking system for load units represents far more than just a technological achievement. It embodies a comprehensive approach to warehouse optimization that raises operational efficiency, workplace safety, and product quality to a new level. It demonstrates how the targeted use of automated solutions and intelligent software can not only overcome today's logistical challenges but also serve as a driver for innovation and progress.

📣 Similar topics

• ❄️ Cold storage and efficient logistics: Automated racking system for load units
• 🧠 Intelligent warehouse management: The focus is on the automated racking system
• 🏭 Warehouse Logistics 4.0: Automation and Temperature Control in Practice
• 🔮 The future of warehousing: Automated racking systems in detail
• 🌡️ Perfect temperature control: The innovation of automatic load unit storage
• 🚀 On the rise: Automated cold chain logistics systems
• 📦 Dynamic warehousing: Increased efficiency through automation
• 🚚 From production to shipping: Seamless goods movement thanks to automation
• 🤖 Intelligent inventory management: The future of warehouse logistics
• ❄️ Cooling technology and efficiency: The automated shelving system in focus

#️⃣ Hashtags: #Automation #Logistics #Warehousing #TemperatureControl #Innovation

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