As the market leader for tourist information in Germany and Europe, MAIRDUMONT is constantly working to optimise its products and services for its customers. In order to be able to meet this demand in logistics in the future, MAIRDUMONT has decided to replace the existing warehouse management system at the logistics site in Ulm-Jungingen with SuPCIS-L8 from S&P Computersysteme GmbH in Stuttgart.
The project
In the course of the SAP implementation at the parent company in Ostfildern, SuPCIS-L8 was introduced as the new warehouse management system at MAIRDUMONT. The application software is used to control the pallet high-bay warehouse as a replenishment area, which is operated by radio frequency forklifts, the automatic tote conveyor system, and paperless picking using pick-by-light and put-to-light. Great importance was attached to the system's support of special processes for more efficient handling. For example, two-stage processes ensure efficient single-item handling, picking of large quantities, and picking of replenishments into totes for the flow rack system at a goods-to-man picking station. A separate picking zone was set up for promotions. The consolidation and order processes are brought together by the WMS, which also supports a wide range of special processing requirements at the "Value Added Services" packing station.
In the publishing industry, returns are often higher than normal returns in other industries. In addition to controlling incoming goods, picking and outgoing goods, the WMS also handles returns and manages returns.
The high-bay warehouse has a capacity of 19,000 pallet spaces. The four high-bay stackers in use here are controlled with SuPCIS-L8 via mobile terminals. For more efficient picking, there are three picking areas adapted to the article structure. Fast-moving items can be picked directly from the original pallet, while medium-moving and slow-moving items are stored in flow racks or shelf racks. Travel times for orders are reduced by a tote conveyor system. A total of 2,500 meters of conveyor technology are installed in the logistics center. In addition, there is a 660 meter long order picking line. A pick-by-light system, which is controlled via the WMS, enables parallel processing of orders and replenishment at the shelving and flow racks, thus increasing picking productivity.
"S&P's proven expertise in the field of book and sound carrier distribution, extensive long-term experience as a WMS provider, very good references and finally also a reasonable price/performance ratio tipped the scales in favor of S&P. All project participants at S&P are very customer-oriented, flexible and highly competent. The cooperative partnership before and during the go-live was very effective at all times. Our specific requirements were implemented very well. We are convinced to have found the right partner in S&P", says Andreas Bachmaier, technical manager at MAIRDUMONT about the cooperation with S&P. Regarding the warehouse management software SuPCIS-L8, he explains: "SuPCIS is a very well scalable solution that best meets our requirements in terms of functionality and user-friendliness. Furthermore, we benefited from the fact that ready-made solutions could already be established for the connection to SAP and subsystems (pick-by-light, container conveyor technology and shipping system)."
About MAIRDUMONT
In addition to its publishing activities, the MAIRDUMONT publishing group, which was founded in 1948, is a distribution and delivery partner for leading specialist publishers with a program focus on: Travel, Tourism and Transport. The family-owned company with around 400 employees has its headquarters in Ostfildern near Stuttgart. The logistics center is located in Ulm. The publishing group also has subsidiaries in Great Britain, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland. The entire group generated sales of around 105 million euros in 2012. MAIRDUMONT's product range includes printed and electronic media. The publishing program delivered from Ulm includes the Marco Polo travel guides, Falk city maps/city atlases, Baedeker Allianz travel guides, the ADAC cartography, large general atlas, DuMont travel guides, DuMont picture atlas, Lonely Planet travel guides, Varta guides, and the Kompass hiking and biking program.
