The intralogistics group Mecalux has installed two automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) at the headquarters of Boehli, a leading brand in the European snack market, to boost its daily output to 31 tonnes.
Its Gundershoffen, France plant, opened in 2000, operates seven production lines supplying snacks – mainly pretzels and breadsticks – to over 22 countries.
Raphael Wurtz, plant manager at Boehli, says: “Automation enables us to manage and dispatch an average of 360 pallets per day.”
The facility is equipped with the Automated Pallet Shuttle system with a stacker crane for finished goods and an 80-metre-long AS/RS for raw materials and packaging. The combination of these solutions has maximised the Alsatian company’s throughput and storage capacity, totalling 4,054 pallets.
Boehli’s automated manufacturing and logistics operations are seamlessly integrated through Mecalux’s Easy WMS warehouse management system.
This software enables just-in-time supply to the company’s production lines. The storage and manufacturing areas are connected by automated guided vehicles (AGV), which ensure a smooth and efficient workflow.
Boehli exports 39 percent of its production, primarily to Germany, Denmark, Japan, South Korea, the UAE and Australia, highlighting the role of storage technology in serving these markets.
“Through automation, we’ve optimised flows and increased our order dispatch capacity,” says Wurtz.
Recognised with the PME+ award for corporate social responsibility in 2021, Boehli is committed to recyclable packaging and transparency. This dedication is reflected in its guided tours of the Gundershoffen factory, offering visitors insight into the history and production of its pretzels.
