Novaroll continues to modernize logistics in collaboration with Axelot

2023

Turnkey project implementation - from logistic audit to equipment delivery and WMS configuration update

to the project NOVAROLL All business areas were involved in the modernization of the distribution center, Ecosystems AXELOT thanks to which the project was implemented "turnkey" - from logistic audit to equipment delivery and configuration updates - WMS without involving third-party contractors. This was announced on October 2, 2023 by AXELOT.

By 2026, NOVAROLL plans to significantly increase its turnover, and for this the company is actively increasing its logistics capacity. In particular, one of the steps in meeting future needs was the opening of a distribution center in Noginsk, with an area of ​ ​ 40,000 square meters. m. NOVAROLL turned to AXELOT for the development of the optimal option for arranging the warehouse complex, taking into account the planned growth in turnover, in cooperation with which AXELOT WMS was implemented in 2022 at warehouses in Noginsk and Elektrostal.

All companies included in the AXELOT Ecosystem were connected to the project. Close cooperation between the specialists AXELOT CONSULT, AXELOT SOFT and AXELOT-TECH made it possible to create and work out the concept for the development of the NOVAROLL warehouse economy, taking into account all the realities in terms of the selection and purchase of suitable rack equipment, warehouse equipment, as well as quickly adapt the conceptual design of the AXELOT WMS operation, taking into account the peculiarities of the high-rise storage type.

The distribution center went into operation with floor storage, and one of the tasks was to get away from stacking on the floor to shelving. To do this, the AXELOT SOFT project team has made the appropriate settings to the AXELOT WMS configuration, which, among other things, include the use of a turnover analysis by circulation frequency - FMR (Fast, Medium, Rare) and placement planning according to the Close to the door & floor rule (closer to the floor and shipping gate) for high-turnover goods.

AXELOT WMS takes into account important features for high-rise storage, which allows you to optimize the operation of the warehouse and automate processes in such a way that time their implementation complies with the requirements for the safe operation of rack equipment. When planning placement and performing movement tasks, the system operates not only with the carrying capacity of the cell itself, but also with the total carrying capacity of the entire cell section.

The switch to this warehouse processing scheme took place in the operating warehouse, which at that time already used the previously launched WMS. As the rack structures were erected, the project team carried out a phased movement of products from the floor to the rack equipment and launched updated business processes. Thus, the distribution center passed the modernization stage smoothly and without stopping the incoming and outgoing flow. To solve the integration problem, AXELOT specialists used the DATAREON ESB data bus. With its help, AXELOT WMS was included in the NOVAROLL integration loop.

Additional training of RC personnel was not required, since we already had experience in launching and working at AXELOT WMS. AXELOT only demonstrated the changes made to the WMS configuration and, accordingly, the process plans. It is enough 7 days for the employee to start working with all processes in the warehouse, and only 2-3 days for him to start working with the placement of goods. Before automation, the adaptation period was calculated in weeks, noted Denis Poletaev, Head of Warehouse Logistics at NOVAROLL.

NOVAROLL, during its partnership with AXELOT, acquired almost expert knowledge of working with AXELOT WMS, so the company required very short support during launch, otherwise its specialists coped on their own.

The main criterion for the effectiveness of the company's logistics, I would call the readiness to sell its services outside - this is a key factor and an indicator of the maturity of processes and teams. Everything is being tested for competitiveness in real markets. And if initially an internal service in this market manages to find one, second, third external customer, this suggests that the team has succeeded sufficiently. Together with AXELOT, we have taken another step towards increasing the competitiveness of our operating unit, said Yuri Khalatov, director of supply chain management at NOVAROLL.

Development of the optimal option for arrangement of the warehouse complex taking into account the planned growth of turnover

On February 13, 2023, AXELOT announced that it had developed an optimal option for arranging a warehouse complex for the NOVAROLL Group of Companies distribution center, taking into account the planned growth in turnover.

According to the company, as part of the modernization of warehouse logistics in 2022, NOVAROLL, together with AXELOT, automated two of their warehouses at the same time. At that time, the RC in Noginsk has not yet been commissioned, and the company's management team, based on positive experience with AXELOT, decided to develop a technological project for another warehouse complex. The RC in Noginsk consists of two identical modules, each of 20,000 square meters. m.. The first module involves the main cargo processing, the second module it is planned to be completely stored.

As of February 2023, the goods at the warehouse site are stored in stacks, but taking into account the growth in turnover with this type of storage, the warehouse's capabilities will be exhausted in the near future, so the management staff of NOVAROLL decided to switch to high-rise storage.

Among the features of business processes in the warehouse, we can distinguish the use of several types of pallets, the selection of both boxes and pieces, and the management system already launched in the warehouse - AXELOT WMS X5. NOVAROLL was interested in upgrading WMS processes to high-rise storage, which has alternative technologies for processing orders and controlling the stages of processing goods.

Having studied and analyzed the company's turnover plans, current processes and requirements for future processes, AXELOT consultants presented three options for equipping the warehouse complex, which included: topology, layout of goods, warehouse equipment and equipment, description of warehouse processes. As part of the project, a comparative analysis of the developed options for storing and processing goods was carried out, including an analysis of capital and operating costs.

The project considered as future partners Chinese companies producing 3D shuttles, Russian manufacturers of warehouse equipment and other companies supplying the equipment necessary for the project.

In addition to analyzing the possibility of supplying warehouse equipment within the required time frame, many other factors were taken into account when selecting the cargo processing technology - from the characteristics of the labor market in the customer's region to compliance the selected development strategy of the Group of Companies. However, the number of storage and processing systems was limited due to restrictions on the supply of "Western" equipment. All hypotheses on the use of equipment and equipment were tested immediately, as they appeared, with the full participation of the customer in this process. The prospects were assessed by the specialists of AXELOT TECH, who provided NOVAROLL with the necessary information on all relevant systems and manufacturers.

Of the fundamentally different options, the NOVAROLL management team needed to stop at one. Cost became an important criterion, and the maximum weight criterion was the speed of implementation. As a result, the choice fell on the option using front racks, which will allow with minimal temporary and financial investments to implement the processing of commodity flow, taking into account all the needs of the company.

Among other things, the project team took into account the situation with personnel in the region. Since the warehouse complex is located in a location with extremely strong competition for both highly qualified and line personnel, in particular for drivers of richtraks, the issue of the number of warehouse employees is critical. Within the framework of the project, a logistics model was developed that made it possible to compare the planned operations, including according to the criterion of personnel employment, in terms of functional responsibilities.

Attention to detail and full participation in the work of NOVAROLL representatives helped AXELOT specialists to develop a warehouse complex project that allows the customer to reach efficiency targets and implement the company's development program without leaving the existing territory.

2022: Introduction of Warehouse Management System

At first, a pilot launch of a warehouse with an area of ​ ​ 6,000 m2 was planned in Noginsk. Then the system was to be replicated in a warehouse in Elektrostal, the area of ​ ​ the second site is 5000 m2. But due to the 24-hour warehouse schedule, the project team decided to launch both warehouses almost simultaneously in order to minimize the impact on the company's business processes.

The joint forces of the project teams carried out integration two separate bases WMS with the corporate information system using. Datareon ESB Data Service Bus

Thanks to the variability and flexibility of the Axelot WMS X5 settings, the launch of both warehouses took place without a single revision - a "boxed" version of the system turned out to be enough.

The result of the implementation of WMS was the automation of the processes for planning the placement of products and shipping orders. The introduction of targeted storage of stocks and the fixation of all movements of goods in the warehouse made it possible to increase the accuracy of storage of products. Operations performed by personnel have become more transparent, it became possible to follow the completed tasks. Reduced role of operator as key shift employee.