apra-norm Elektromechanik GmbH, headquartered in Mehren/Eifel (Germany), is a leading supplier of 19" electronic enclosures and cabinet systems for electrical and electronic engineering, medical technology, mechanical engineering, process measuring and control technology and many other fields of application. By using different advanced manufacturing technologies, the company realises products in sheet steel, high-grade steel, aluminium and plastics with a quantity ranging from 1 to 100,000 pieces.

Since 1999, apra-norm has been using an automated production parts warehouse implemented by TGW. By 2009 the demands on capacities and production operations had changed considerably, which required revisions of the logistics processes, too. The logistics consulting company Neef was commissioned to analyse their requirements and create a new logistics concept.

REQUIREMENTS & OBJECTIVES     
- increase in performance by 50 % at the workstations (pre-storage zone)
- optimisation of storage processes
- drastic reduction of availability risk
- a more flexible warehouse management system

ADVANTAGES FOR APRA-NORM
- less downtime during retrofit (2 workdays)
- increased reliability
- improved utilisation of storage capacity
- optimised operability for employees
- high operational safety