Schnellecke Logistics

With changing customer demands, Schnellecke requires flexible and scalable solutions to adapt to varying loads, material flow and workload demands. Quick and effective automation is critical to improving efficiency and meeting the demands of the customers.

Company Overview

Schnellecke Logistics is a leading global logistics company. Services include complete concepts from transportation, warehouse management and value-added services to module assembly and container-compatible packaging. With a global network and state-of-the-art technology customers’ supply chains are optimised. Schnellecke has a focus on innovation and sustainability in order to offer customized and future-proof solutions.

Location: Soltau, Germany

Industries: Automotive, Industrial and Consumer goods

Global Markets Served: Europe, Asia, Africa and North America

The Situation

The challenges faced by Schnellecke Logistics are amplified by changing customer demands, requiring solutions that are both scalable and flexible, with specific focus on optimising processes like pallet transport from palletisers, automatic block stack unloading, manual pallet handling of corrugated boxes, and call box functionality.

Labour Management

The remote location in Soltau complicates workforce retention, while employee absences and sick days create consistent operational gaps, impacting daily warehouse activities.

Efficiency Optimisation

Current operations require streamlining of repetitive pallet transport processes, including automated unloading, block stacking, and manual handling, to maintain market competitiveness.

Flexibility Requirements

Dynamic customer demands necessitate scalable automation solutions that can adapt to varying workloads and material flows, particularly in pallet transport from palletiser to workstations.

Scaling Across Europe

“EP’s product is the most flexible product compared to other products in the market for our use case.”

“All of our sites want XP’s – they are crazy. You guys are always on our mind.”

“Compared to more expensive automation solutions that require changes to existing processes, the XP15 integrates seamlessly into our current workflows. It is scalable and, with its various options and functionalities, fits a wide range of processes. The XP15 can grow alongside our company and adapt to evolving customer demands.”

Timeline

From First Call to Full Operation

To address these challenges, Schnellecke reached out to EP Equipment to explore how they can optimise their intralogistics. This is how it unfolded:

  • Step 1: Call Scheduled

    Schnellecke scheduled a call with EP Automation Experts.

  • Step 2: 15-minute Teams Meeting

    The first 15-minute Teams meeting to discuss these points:

    • Virtual site survey
    • Job(s) to do
    • Types of loads
    • Material flow information
    • Working conditions

    Next step: A Walkthrough Video taken by the Schnellecke team and shared with the EP team.

     

  • Step 3: Define Project Scope

    A 30-minute Teams meeting with the EP Automation experts. Based on the site survey and walkthrough video, together define the scope and a proof of concept.

  • Step 4: Delivery & Implementation

    Delivery in Soltau
    The XP15 is delivered from European stock.
     
    One Day On-Site Implementation with EP Team
    ✅On-site walkthrough with Schnellecke’s team
    ✅Teach the XP15 required tasks (Transport, column drop-off)
    ✅POC confirmed, the robot is operational by end of the day
    ✅Team training provided
    ✅Final handover: Schnellecke’s staff is ready to take over robot independently
     
    Training and handover
    ✅ User training
    ✅ Schnellecke’s staff is ready to take over robot independently
     
    Next Step
    ✅ Call Box as an add on option, to call the truck to the reception area when a pallet is ready for pick up. Installed by Schnellecke key user.
     

The Solution

“The XP15 fits our use cases without having to change our working environment to be able to implement the robot.”

Schnellecke partners with EP Equipment to implement the XP15, a co-bot solution tailored to the specific in-house pallet transportation needs. By automating repetitive A-to-B pallet transport, the XP15 significantly reduces traffic movements, and manual labour and enhances overall efficiency in intralogistics.

In-House Pallet Transport

Schnellecke utilises the XP15 to automate in-house pallet transport between the box production and packaging areas. A machine folds the boxes, employees manually load pallets with empty corrugated boxes at the production station and then assign tasks by pressing the respective numbers on the keypad.

The XP15 autonomously transports the pallets to designated destinations and returns to the production station. This solution not only addresses the shortage of human labour, but also allows employees to focus on more critical tasks at their workstations while the XP15 handles repetitive pallet transportation efficiently.

Call Box Solution

The Call Box is an add-on feature that enables warehouse employees to call the pallet truck to a designated workstation within the warehouse. With the press of a button, the truck will drive empty to the specified location, ready to start its next mission.

In this process, a pallet truck is called from the production area using the call box. It then collects a pallet loaded with empty KLT boxes from the reception area. Once the operator presses the button, the robot delivers the pallet to the designated hand shelf area. After completing the task, the robot returns to its parking location in the production area. This system ensures a seamless and efficient workflow.

Automated Unloading Solution

“Other sites are recognizing the advantages of EP’s approach to automation. We’ve gathered various use cases showcasing its impact, with the XP15 proving to be a perfectly flexible tool for our employees”.

The XP15 drops off the pallets automatically at the work stations. The pallet truck drops the pallets in columns at designated drop-off points. The employees at the packing stations then have direct access to the stock of empty boxes. This allows employees to remain focused on folding and packing, improving productivity.

Uptime

Operating 2 shifts per day with an average runtime of 15–16 hours.

By automating the transport tasks, employees can focus on higher-value activities in the warehouse like packing and folding, while workforce productivity improves through the elimination of dead walking time.

The Result

By implementing EP’s XP15, Schnellecke has successfully addressed their manual labour shortages and bottlenecks, as well as reduced operational costs while improving efficiency. The quick implementation, cost-effective automation, and flexibility of the XP15 Co-Bot have enabled Schnellecke to streamline repetitive pallet transport tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities in their logistics centre.

This scalable solution positions Schnellecke for continued growth and operational excellence across multiple European sites. The internal logistics engineering team brings the foundational expertise needed to drive the next steps forward in-house.

Why EP?

EP’s XP15 grows with your business. Designed for easy set up and off line working modes, allows Schnellecke to scale automation across sites with minimal disruption. The XP is set up in a running operation and brings its benefits from the first day.

  • Scaling across Europe

    The XP15 is ready to scale up automation across 20+ Schnellecke sites in Europe. Together with EP’s automation team, the Schnellecke logistics engineering team can successfully transfer solutions from one site to another, adapting to the businesses operational demands.

  • Quick Implementation

    EP’s provides Schnellecke a flexible approach to scale without the need to change the working environment.

    • 1-day machine setup
    • No extensive calibration or prolonged testing periods
    • From idea to installation in just 4 weeks

  • Affordable Automation

    EP’s competitive pricing brings automation performance with instant ROI and low-risk, making automation accessible for its business units of all sizes. Furthermore it allows to automate as well the non-obvious processes such as empty pallets and waste containers.
    • €25,000 starting price or €995/month rental
    • Alternative solutions cost start at €150,000–€250,000 and require up to a year for implementation

  • Easy, Flexible, and Adaptable

    • Easily adjust paths, drop-off points, tasks
    • Handle different load types & sizes
    • Add new tasks according to your operation