Sorting the
Fashion Industry
Case Study
KappAhl distribution and logistics centre
A highly automated system
Just as fashion changes constantly, one of
Sweden’s leading fashion retailers,
KappAhl, has constantly updated its automated material handling system to
achieve greater efficiencies and faster replenishment for their international network of retail stores.
For several years, Crisplant automated
material handling systems have been at
the heart of KappAhl’s distribution and
logistics centre in Mölndal, Sweden.
Through a series of upgrades, combined
with a rigorous maintenance schedule,
the Crisplant system has continued to
­ xtend the capacity and flexibility which
e
has been central to KappAhl’s expansion.
Today, KappAhl’s distribution centre handles over 60 million items which are
shipped to an international network of
345 retail stores.
From the initial installation of the sorter,
Crisplant has maintained their system
through a series of service contracts.
These contracts provide a schedule of preventative maintenance, carried out by
Crisplant personnel, in addition to a
hotline which provides support during
the day-to-day operation of the sorter.
Continual optimisation
By working closely with KappAhl,
­Crisplant has undertaken regular upgrades which have updated the sorter’s
technology to maintain benchmark efficiency, productivity and capacity over
the eight years that the sorter has been
in oper­ation.
To support an expansion of KappAhl’s
network of stores, Crisplant has also
­extended the conveyor system and
­increased the number of chutes on the
sorter to 250. With a higher number of
chutes, KappAhl has been able to service
more destinations, without a significant
increase in man-power.
Impressive statistics
With every upgrade, Crisplant has
extended the efficiency and capacity of
KappAhl’s sorting process. In total, the
KappAhl distribution centre dispatches
5000 20ft containers each year, with a
workforce of between 75 and 95 staff at
automation increases the flexibility to
move staff between sorters to meet
fluctuations in demand and making best
use of available man-power.
the sorter and a further 10 staff in
planning and management.
capacity is a key part of the design for the
original installation of all Crisplant
sorters. Continual reviews, technology
updates and a long-term partnership
between Crisplant and KappAhl, have
delivered several improvements in
logistics efficiency and productivity.
These have provided a foundation for
KappAhl’s long-term goals for growth.
The Crisplant cross-belt sorter integrates
250 double chutes, effectively providing
a total of 500 chutes, fed by 8 inductions,
and delivers a through-put of 13,400
items an hour, or 50,000 items per day at
peak times. The high degree of
Long-term planning and partnership
Planning for future expansion in
Crisplant a/s
P.O. Pedersens Vej 10
DK-8200 Aarhus N
Denmark
Phone: +45 87 41 41 41
Mail: info@crisplant.com
Web: www.crisplant.com