Jungheinrich automates new distribution centre for Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH in Wilhelmshaven
Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH, a wholesaler and manufacturer of rolling bearings and linear technology based in Wilhelmshaven, has commissioned Jungheinrich to plan and build a new, fully automated distribution centre.
- Significantly higher storage capacity and throughput thanks to an automated miniload and pallet warehouse with around 18,800 storage locations
- Maximum process speed and energy efficiency thanks to powerful stacker cranes and automated narrow-aisle trucks
- Ergonomic goods-to-person order picking reduces physical strain and increases productivity
Hamburg / Wilhelmshaven – Growth needs structure: with a fully automated distribution centre built as a greenfield project, Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH in Wilhelmshaven is laying the foundation for further growth. Jungheinrich is delivering an integrated complete solution comprising an automated miniload warehouse, an automated pallet warehouse and modern warehouse management software.
Rising order volumes in the small-parts segment had increasingly pushed the previous manual order picking to its economic limits. At the same time, the company wanted to make its workstations more ergonomic and improve its processes for the long term. With the new building, Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH is responding to these requirements and creating additional capacity for further growth.
An integrated automation solution from a single source
At the core of the solution is an automated miniload warehouse with 14,904 container storage locations in double-deep storage. Three STC 2B1A stacker cranes handle the fully automated storage and retrieval of the containers, combining high travel dynamics with an energy-efficient drive concept for powerful operation.
The miniload warehouse is complemented by an automated very narrow aisle (AutoVNA) warehouse for pallets with 3,870 storage locations. Two automated EKX 516ka narrow-aisle trucks ensure precise and efficient processes in the high-bay racking. The system is housed in an in-house building with a usable height of 9.7 metres.
A total of six ergonomically designed picking workstations based on the goods-to-person principle, four for containers and two for pallets, ensure efficient and employee-friendly processes. Jungheinrich’s scope of delivery also includes the complete conveyor systems for containers and pallets, the higher-level control system including visualisation, and the Jungheinrich Warehouse Management System (WMS) for the end-to-end control of all storage and material flow processes. The racking system and workstation equipment complete the solution.
The system is designed for growth from the outset: the miniload warehouse can be expanded by two further aisles, and the automated very narrow aisle warehouse by up to three additional EKX 516ka trucks. This gives Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH a dependable reserve of performance and capacity.
A long-standing partnership as the foundation
The decision in favour of Jungheinrich is based on a long-standing, trusting collaboration and a convincing concept phase delivered by Jungheinrich Material Flow Consulting.
‘Given our growth, we were reaching the economic and organisational limits of our previous manual order picking. The new automated solution gives us considerably more efficient processes, creates additional capacity, noticeably shortens lead times and at the same time improves working conditions for our employees’, says Hendrik Laeppché, Managing Director of Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH.
Klaus-Peter Wolters, Head of Technical Sales at Jungheinrich, adds: ‘Eisenhart Laeppché faced the challenge of handling rising order volumes in the small-parts segment both economically and ergonomically. With our integrated solution combining a miniload warehouse and an automated very narrow aisle warehouse, we deliver the performance and scalability needed for further growth, together with high energy efficiency.’ Commissioning is scheduled for Q2 2027.
