From Manual to Fully Automated: How Svenska Retursystem Doubled Down on Hygiene and Efficiency with 19 AGVs
About Svenska Retursystem
Svenska Retursystem is a company dedicated to managing and recycling packaging in Sweden. They provide a sustainable system for reusable transport and packaging, including pallets and plastic crates, primarily used in the food industry and retail industry. By collecting, cleaning, and redistributing these packaging items, the company minimizes waste and supports a circular economy. Their focus, on optimizing logistics and transportation, ensuring that packaging remains in circulation rather than being discarded after use.
The Challenge
To enhance the efficiency of pallets and crates handling, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) were implemented to fully automate the washing process. The system facilitates the transportation of stacks to and from the washing machines, followed by their transfer to the outbound area. A key element of this solution is guaranteeing a strict separation between clean and dirty loads in the warehouse. To optimize the workflows, the system seamlessly integrates with elevators that transport loads between two floors. This automation ensures a smooth, efficient process by minimizing human intervention and enhancing operational efficiency. By automating the movement of pallets and crates, companies increase throughput, reduce labour costs, and uphold higher hygiene standards. Maintaining strict separation between clean and dirty materials further enhances safety, preventing contamination an essential factor in industries where cleanliness is critical.
The Solution
We implemented a high-performance, reliable AGV solution that enables seamless 24/7 production. With its exceptionally low error rate, lighting can be turned off in areas where the AGVs operate, further enhancing energy efficiency. This creates a high sustainable and cost-effective solution for businesses who are looking to optimize logistics and reduce operational expenses. The AGV system handles many articles and thousands of storage locations, ensuring that storage and movement within the facility remain seamless. The MAX system efficiently manages the warehouse, ensuring that clean and dirty units always remain separate, preventing contamination and maintaining a structured workflow. With this system in place, companies can eliminate bottlenecks and reduce the risks associated with manual handling of materials.
Customer Benefit
The system has delivered stable and reliable production, with continuous expansions aimed to further optimizing logistics. It has been consistently refined to meet growing operational demands while maintaining outstanding performance. Today, all internal processes are fully automated, except for the manual handling of trucks during trailer loading and unloading. This high level of automation reduces dependency on manual labour, increasing quality and enhances overall efficiency. By implementing MAXAGV’s automated solutions, companies can significantly lower labour costs, improve workplace safety, and streamline warehouse operations. Automating internal transport processes ensures consistency and reliability, making it a strategic investment for businesses seeking to optimize their logistics and guarantee long-term productivity. The success of this solution has resulted in implementation at two additional Svenska Retursystem facilities in Sweden, further proving its reliability and efficiency in optimizing logistics. This expansion underscores the system’s effectiveness, making it a trusted choice for companies seeking to automate their warehouse and production operations.
The Result
The system includes 19 AGV units that operate seamlessly and interacting with PLC and conveyor systems to ensure efficient coordination across multiple operational areas. It’s host interface seamlessly integration with the customer’s ERP system, enabling real-time tracking and efficient warehouse management. By harnessing advanced automation, businesses can optimize logistics processes and gain greater control over their operations. This AGV implementation is a clear example of how automation and intelligent logistics systems enhance production flows, reduce physical handling, and maintain high standards of hygiene and efficiency. As industries continue to evolve, integrating AGV technology into warehouse and logistics operations will be crucial for achieving sustainability, cost efficiency, and increased productivity.
