Ben E. Keith: Autosatmover automatic warehouse

Sector: Food & Beverage

Ben E. Keith Beverages, is one of the largest Anheuser Busch (AB InBev) beer distributors in the U.S. This private company operates (14) distribution facilities in the State of Texas handling both A/B products and many high-quality craft beer suppliers.

Problem

In 2015, Ben E. Keith realized they needed to improve their largest beverage facility in Dallas, Texas by introducing automation to increase both their case and pallet pick operations. The main problem facing them was they didn’t have the necessary floor space available in their existing building to provide the increased square footage required.

With a ceiling height that only allowed storing full pallets 3 levels high, management quickly realized that to recoup floor space they needed to examine storing full pallets of product much higher, in a more productive way. Forecasted growth indicated that they really required approximately 14,000 locations for pallet storage to handle both their case and full pallet shipments.

Solution

After examining various forms of full pallet automation in the US, Ben E. Keith’s management settled on the AUTOSATMOVER System from Automha Americas. By utilizing this technology, the company was able to store 14,400 pallets, 8 levels high in 30,000 square feet compared to the 105,000 that would have been required using their former storage methods.

Utilizing this fully automated Cart Based ASRS has enabled them to store and retrieve up to 240 pallets/hour of combined inbound and outbound full pallet loads, without any forklift operators working inside the storage system.

The system includes:

Automha Americas supplied a Rack-Supported Structure including a Penthouse on the roof with an overall height of 92 Ft. This provides a temperature-controlled warehouse that keeps the product at a constant 60°F within the summer months that exceed 100°F.

Facts and figures:

  • (8) Levels with Carts at every level fed by (2) Stationary Lifters x (2) Modules ensure high throughput and provide redundancy not available in typical Automated Crane type systems
  • Installation in Dallas TX
  • Ground Works for slab began June 2016
  • New System operational June 2017
  • 14,400 Pallet Storage capacity (Over 1 Million Cases stored) in 30,000 Square ft
  • 1,600 Lanes of Storage (both 8 and 10 deep lanes of storage)
  • 17 Inventory Turns / Year
  • 240 Pallets/Hour Throughput Capacity (Combined In/Out)
  • (2) Modules, (8) Levels High
  • Total of (16) Mover Carts w/ SuperCap Carts to store product in individual lanes
  • Total of (4) Stationary Lifters to move product in and out of the (8) Levels
  • Automha AWM System communicates with BEK
  • Host Network
  • High degree of Redundancy, a level can be shut down individually for maintenance and the remainder of the system continues operating
  • Dual Staircases allow easy access for maintenance or management personnel to both storage modules

Gallery

Others case studies

Astoria Wines: semi-automatic storage system

Automha realised for the Treviso-based company a semi-automatic multi-depth intensive storage system managed by the Autosat Wi-Fi shuttle.

Astoria Wines: semi-automatic storage system

Automha realised for the Treviso-based company a semi-automatic multi-depth intensive storage system managed by the Autosat Wi-Fi shuttle.

Frascheri

The history of Frascheri, leader company in the production of milk and cream with long shelf life, has begun in 1955 when a Social Cooperative was born thanks to 64 members.

Frascheri

The history of Frascheri, leader company in the production of milk and cream with long shelf life, has begun in 1955 when a Social Cooperative was born thanks to 64 members.

Aviko: automatic warehouse Food&Beverage

Aviko produces nearly 800,000 tons of finished product to be stored in cold storage to meet delivery performance.

Aviko: automatic warehouse Food&Beverage

Aviko produces nearly 800,000 tons of finished product to be stored in cold storage to meet delivery performance.

PeakLogix: semi-automatic storage of food supplements

The customer needed to upgrade the handling and storage of ingredients it receives in super bags or bags stacked on pallets and stored in 3 high drive-in racks.

PeakLogix: semi-automatic storage of food supplements

The customer needed to upgrade the handling and storage of ingredients it receives in super bags or bags stacked on pallets and stored in 3 high drive-in racks.

Yili Group: FIFO and LIFO automatic warehouse

Yili was able to make full use of the limited space, maximising the capacity to process orders and store goods.

Yili Group: FIFO and LIFO automatic warehouse

Yili was able to make full use of the limited space, maximising the capacity to process orders and store goods.

Future Crops: vertical automatic warehouse

Future Crops is a Dutch company among the first to experiment with vertical farming. It grows its products in a completely controlled environment.

Future Crops: vertical automatic warehouse

Future Crops is a Dutch company among the first to experiment with vertical farming. It grows its products in a completely controlled environment.

Mitr Phol Group: Autosatmover automatic warehouse

The Mitr Phol Group is the largest producer of sugar and bioenergy in Thailand and Asia. Today, it is the fourth-largest sugar producer in the world.

Mitr Phol Group: Autosatmover automatic warehouse

The Mitr Phol Group is the largest producer of sugar and bioenergy in Thailand and Asia. Today, it is the fourth-largest sugar producer in the world.

Pedon Spa: automatic food warehouse

Pedon Spa is a company operating in the foodstuffs sector either with its own-brand products or private labels in grocery store chains.

Pedon Spa: automatic food warehouse

Pedon Spa is a company operating in the foodstuffs sector either with its own-brand products or private labels in grocery store chains.

Basso Fedele e Figli: automatic warehouse for packaging

Two automated warehouses were installed in the food industry for efficiency, speed, and control.

Basso Fedele e Figli: automatic warehouse for packaging

Two automated warehouses were installed in the food industry for efficiency, speed, and control.

Centrale del latte: automatic warehouse for pallets

In 2015, Centrale del Latte in Brescia opened a second, fully automated aseptic packaging line for milk.

Centrale del latte: automatic warehouse for pallets

In 2015, Centrale del Latte in Brescia opened a second, fully automated aseptic packaging line for milk.

Okręgowa Spółdzielnia Mleczarska: automatic warehouse for pallets

The building for which the operation was requested represents the most productive plant of the entire company.

Okręgowa Spółdzielnia Mleczarska: automatic warehouse for pallets

The building for which the operation was requested represents the most productive plant of the entire company.

Murphy & Son Ltd: semi-automatic pallet storage

Murphy has consolidated its experience not only as a brewery but also as an expert in production and refining techniques.

Murphy & Son Ltd: semi-automatic pallet storage

Murphy has consolidated its experience not only as a brewery but also as an expert in production and refining techniques.

Caviro S.C.A: automatic warehouse for beverages

CAVIRO SCA is a leader in the Italian wine market and, for several years, projected increasing internationalization.

Caviro S.C.A: automatic warehouse for beverages

CAVIRO SCA is a leader in the Italian wine market and, for several years, projected increasing internationalization.

Hershey’s: automatic warehouses for food

The Hershey Company is the largest chocolate company in the United States. The unique taste of its chocolates has made it famous throughout the…

Hershey’s: automatic warehouses for food

The Hershey Company is the largest chocolate company in the United States. The unique taste of its chocolates has made it famous throughout the…

Badia Spices: automatic food storage

Badia Spices is one of today’s leading family-owned Hispanic food companies. Badia manufactures, packages and distributes spices and seasoning blends.

Badia Spices: automatic food storage

Badia Spices is one of today’s leading family-owned Hispanic food companies. Badia manufactures, packages and distributes spices and seasoning blends.
Politica Aziendale

Certificati

ISO 9001
ISO 14001
ISO 45001
SA 8000
Company Policy

Certificates

ISO 9001
ISO 14001
ISO 45001
SA 8000