The GC Corporation is a leading developer, producer and seller of dental supplies, equipment and products. To make their European location, GC Europe, fit for future logistical challenges, the company decided to expand their distribution center in Leuven, Belgium, with an Evo Shuttle system from KNAPP to boost their storage and picking capacities. Combined with SAP® EWM MFS by KNAPP, the shuttle technology is directly integrated into GC Europe’s existing SAP® EWM landscape.
For 25 years, the GC Corporation has dedicated themselves to providing top-tier dental supplies, with a strong focus on the manufacturing as well as delivery process. The European location, GC Europe, in Leuven, Belgium, distributes to sales partners, dentists and dental technicians all over Europe and the Middle East. GC Europe delivers three to four times a day at scheduled times, which is in stark contrast to the typical peaks experienced in the pharmaceutical sector, which usually take place at midday and in the evening. Orders in the system can be picked up to 24 hours in advance of delivery, as GC Europe picks orders continuously to maintain the scheduled deliveries.
To make the central hub in Leuven fit for the future, GC Europe made the largest investment in the history of the company to significantly increase their storage and picking capacities. “Thanks to its compact design, the new installation offers both more storage space and a tremendous increase in picking efficiency. We have more than doubled our capacities without having to expand our existing warehouse space and employing more people,” says Walter Bogaerts, Vice President Supply Chain at GC Europe. “The fact that KNAPP started out in the pharmaceutical sector is a huge advantage as they still have a strong passion for our industry. We also wanted a partner who had experience with SAP® EWM,” continues Mr. Bogaerts, explaining their decision for KNAPP as their automation partner.
Evo Shuttle for efficient order fulfillment
GC Europe opted for a comprehensive automation solution featuring the Evo Shuttle by KNAPP. The two-aisle shuttle system boasts 12,500 storage locations and is connected to four ergonomically designed Pick-it-Easy work stations, where customer orders are picked as needed and then sent back to the system to be buffered before delivery. With three new manual stations and four work stations in the goods-in area, GC Europe has a complete solution with which they are prepared for growth and able to adapt to market changes anytime. KNAPP’s KiSoft software will control the system and connect it to the customer system. “Our technologies and expertise as a value chain tech partner are based on innovative approaches, which offer GC Europe many ways to optimally cover their entire supply chain. Our low complexity concept is another milestone in supporting the company’s growth,” explains Harald Gaulhofer, Head of Sales of DACH Healthcare Solutions at KNAPP.
SAP® EWM MFS makes direct integration of shuttle system into existing SAP® EWM possible
Following an SAP® IT strategy, GC Europe uses a WMS solution featuring SAP® EWM S/4HANA that controls all logistics processes in the DC. To seamlessly integrate the new automation solution, KNAPP’s SAP® competence center – KNAPP IT Solutions – embedded the WCS module SAP® EWM MFS and KNAPP Building Blocks in the existing third-party SAP® EWM solution.
KNAPP Building Blocks are ready-to-use software packages based on 100 percent SAP® coding. They make it possible to connect the KNAPP automation solution with GC Europe’s SAP® EWM without middleware and come with sector-specific process solutions. “Our software solution comprising SAP® EWM MFS and our Building Blocks is right in line with GC Europe’s IT strategy, ensuring a harmonized end-to-end SAP® system landscape. In addition to the integration of the Evo Shuttle, we could round out our offering with our Building Blocks, which complement the SAP® EWM standard with customer-specific order start in the automated area, and optimize the RF picking process at the new stations. Thanks to ready-to-use and proven Building Blocks, we can ensure smooth and low-risk integration into the existing system,” describes Thomas Furthmayr, Managing Director of KNAPP IT Solutions, the all-in-one solution.
About KNAPP
KNAPP is the technology partner for intelligent value chains. Headquartered in Austria, the KNAPP group provides all-in-one solutions for automation and digitalization, from production and distribution to the point of sale. Excellent service and long-term collaboration make KNAPP the strong partner behind the success of their customers in the healthcare, retail, food retail, fashion, wholesale and industry sectors.
KNAPP IT Solutions has been the KNAPP group’s SAP® EWM (Extended Warehouse Management) expert since 2012. As an official SAP partner, KNAPP has a team of around 110 SAP® EWM specialists and provides all the services involved in the conception, implementation, testing, installation and support (including 24/7 Service Desk) of SAP® EWM. This also includes an MFS for greenfield and retrofit projects for the integration of automation solutions by KNAPP and third-party suppliers. Find out more at knapp.com/kis.