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Logistics automation in the publishing industry: the PRHGE case study featuring AMRs and the Skypod system
A new automated logistics hub for the publishing industry
Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial (PRHGE) is building a new automated logistics centre in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), which is set to become the hub of the group’s distribution operations.
L’impianto nasce per rispondere all’evoluzione dei modelli di vendita editoriali e alla crescente complessità della supply chain logistica, con l’obiettivo di garantire maggiore flessibilità, scalabilità e performance end-to-end.
Picking automation: integration between AMRs and goods-to-person systems
The project involves two key technologies for automated piece picking, both based on AMR robots, integrated with a conveyor system running the entire length of the logistics flow.
On the one hand, a picking solution for high-turnover products has been implemented using a fleet of follow-me AMRs.
On the other hand, for medium- and low-turnover SKUs, Exotec’s Skypod® goods-to-person system has been implemented, allowing operators to work from fixed stations, thereby significantly increasing productivity.
In this context, efficiency levels can be up to five times higher than in a traditional warehouse, with improved ergonomic conditions for staff.
Exotec Skypod: the heart of the goods-to-person system
Exotec’s Skypod® system is at the heart of the automation solution for managing medium- and low-turnover stock items.
Autonomous mobile robots collect containers directly from the shelves and transport them to the picking stations, eliminating the need for manual handling.
This model allows you to:
- up to a fivefold increase in productivity
- reduction in internal handling times
- improved operational ergonomics
The end-to-end workflow also allows for the handling of high-, medium- and low-turnover items within the same order, eliminating the need for post-picking consolidation.
Operating architecture, system capacity and scalability
The system is designed to ensure high operational performance:
- up to 25,000 orders a day
- around 1,300 bins per hour
- integrated management of all rotation classes
The infrastructure includes:
- shelving up to 11.4 metres
- around 30,000 multi-SKU containers
- automated guided vehicle system and inbound interfaces
The layout is designed for modular scalability, allowing capacity to be expanded without interrupting operations.
Operational efficiency and sustainability in automated logistics
The adoption of Exotec technology enables a high-density warehouse automation model, reducing the space required by up to a quarter compared to traditional systems.
The system is also designed to:
- reduce energy consumption
- optimise the carbon footprint
- improve the efficiency of logistics processes
Integration with WMS (Warehouse Management System) systems and the re-engineering of workflows complete an architecture geared towards Logistics 4.0 and 5.0.
Conclusion: towards fully automated publishing logistics
The PRHGE project is a concrete example of the move towards automated logistics, in which robotics, goods-to-person systems and the automation of material flows play a central role.
The combination of density, scalability and end-to-end integration positions the Skypod® system as a strategic solution for the transformation of intralogistics models.
To find out more about implementing logistics automation and warehouse robotics solutions, please contact us for a bespoke project assessment.
