Swisslog France has announced a collaboration with Vandenbulcke to implement an advanced AutoStore Multi-Temperature solution in the company's new 21,000 m² warehouse in Herlies, near Lille. The system is designed to optimize storage and order processing for the distributor of bakery, patisserie, and catering products.
Vandenbulcke, a member of Back Europ France, has been supplying the bakery, patisserie, ice cream, and HORECA sectors since 1900. Following a fire in August 2021 that destroyed its facilities, the company moved to a temporary site before relocating to its newly completed warehouse at the end of 2021. The larger facility has presented new logistical challenges, including increased operational distances and storage capacity constraints due to a 40% rise in product references.
The new solution includes two 16-level AutoStore systems for ambient and chilled storage, featuring 9,500 bins for chilled products and 5,500 bins for ambient storage. The initial phase will deploy 6,500 bins. The system integrates 20 robots, three conveyor ports, two Fusion Port Staging areas, and a dual workstation for picking and recuperation, providing nearly 15,000 net storage locations. Swisslog's SynQ WMS/WCS will manage operations between temperature zones, ensuring smooth and efficient workflows.
Swisslog was selected based on its reputation within the Back Europ group and its expertise in delivering flexible and scalable AutoStore solutions. The decision was further reinforced by a site visit and positive feedback from another Back Europ distributor. The project timeline is ambitious, with implementation starting in April 2025 and completion expected by August 2025.
With the new system, Vandenbulcke anticipates a significant boost in operational efficiency. Order fulfilment capacity is set to rise from 700 per operator per day to 300 orders per hour. The automated solution will also reduce employee fatigue by eliminating the need for heavy machinery while ensuring error-free processing and full stock traceability. Orders will be processed in under 12 hours, improving service levels for Vandenbulcke’s customers.
