Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG, Daimlerstraße 14, 78532 Tuttlingen, Germany

Optimized material flow for production and distribution with seven Hänel Rotomat® storage systems

The seamless connection of the HänelSoft®-N to the proALPHA ERP system increases the efficiency and precision of the daily picking process

Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG is a familyowned company based in Tuttlingen, Germany. Active worldwide, Leibinger manufactures labeling and marking systems. The company’s strategy focuses on continuously improving its internal processes. Innovative intralogistics solutions play a key role in this strategy.

Leibinger’s main plant employs a total of seven Hänel Rotomat® storage systems. The dispatch department utilizes two of the systems for the worldwide distribution of its spare parts. Five further Hänel Rotomat® storage systems form the core of the central production storage and serve the various production lines. The carousels are more than six meters high, providing a sustainable solution which maximizes storage space while maintaining the smallest possible footprint.

Efficient logistics through connection to the company ERP system

All of the site’s Hänel Rotomat® storage systems run the modern HänelSoft®-N warehouse management software. The software connects the lifts directly to proALPHA, the ERP system used throughout the company. This tried and tested integration forms the foundation for the efficient storage strategy as the ERP system constantly maintains an up-to-date record of all stock movements and inventories. Paul Leibinger benefits from highly reliable inventory management and intelligent storage strategies such as first-in, firstout (FIFO).

The storage systems are not only capable of storing and retrieving a wide variety of items, they also create an intelligently coordinated intralogistics solution which simplifies and optimizes complex warehouse processes. This is why the Hänel carousels have become an integral part of Leibinger’s warehouse management system. The flexibility of the system was a key aspect of the company’s decision to invest in Hänel intralogistics solutions.

The Hänel carousel system in the small parts warehouse utilizes its system advantages to the fullest

Five Hänel Rotomat® storage systems located directly adjacent to the production organize numerous components ranging from small parts to larger assemblies and also supply the assembly department. Hänel’s Rotomat® storage system is the ideal basis.

The compact design of the ceiling-high lift systems makes effective use of the full height of the room, creating maximum storage capacity with the smallest possible footprint. In addition, the entire small parts range is available in the immediate vicinity of the assembly department. The enclosed structure of the Hänel Rotomat® storage system protects the small parts against dust, dirt, and unauthorized access. This aspect is especially important when it comes to delicate or valuable parts. The storage spaces on Hänel’s multifunctional carriers can be individually configured to hold a wide variety of small part sizes and shapes. This enables Paul Leibinger’s warehouse staff to flexibly organize the Hänel lift while saving storage space.

Efficiency and ergonomics in the production warehouse thanks to the Hänel Rotomat®

The Hänel Rotomat® enables the fast and automated storage and picking of small parts. The parts are removed at an ergonomic height, minimizing the physical demands on employees, especially when they need to access the storage system frequently. The combination of high-performance carousel and intelligent software connection optimizes the daily warehouse operations at Paul Leibinger.
All picking orders throughout the company are managed via the proALPHA ERP system. This ERP system documents the corresponding lift number and storage location for every item. Individual orders containing specific items can be created to meet all of the requirements from the assembly department. To achieve optimum performance when compiling the items, the orders are combined in HänelSoft®-N to create collective orders with optimized paths. These are then available for retrieval on all Hänel lift controllers. The employees scan their collection bins on the picking trolley, enabling them to effortlessly start the respective order.

Easy and intuitive operation on the Hänel controller

A display located directly where the goods are stored shows extensive information about the item, quantity, and storage location. As soon as the removal of an item has been acknowledged, the storage system automatically moves the multifunctional carrier to the removal point with the next item. Once all items within a lift have been processed, the employee moves on to the next Rotomat® and continues completing the picking order. This approach enables employees to rapidly put together diverse orders for the assembly department.

Employees also benefit from the ergonomic provision of items thanks to this system-guided approach. Most of the components are stored in pull-out storage boxes and can be picked directly from the lift worktop.

Optimized shipping process ensures high customer satisfaction

Two additional Hänel Rotomat® storage systems in the dispatch department provide an enormous amount of storage space for goods and spare parts ready for shipping. The proALPHA system also organizes all picking orders on these lifts. The Hänel MP 14 N controller’s 12-inch touchscreen display offers the greatest ease of use during the system-optimized job processing via the HänelSoft® N user interface. The resulting performance and accuracy of the shipping process has permanently increased customer satisfaction at Paul Leibinger.

The long-term cooperation with Hänel demonstrates how Paul Leibinger continues to strengthen its position as an innovative manufacturer through the use of advanced storage solutions while also implementing the ideal foundation to tackle future challenges.

By introducing the Hänel Rotomat® storage lifts, Paul Leibinger vastly increased its storage capacity while simultaneously optimizing its efficiency in two key areas thanks to the seamless ERP integration.

"Using Hänel storage systems has decisively optimized our work processes. We benefit from fast shipping as well as the enormous amount of space saved by the Hänel carousels. The excellent price-performance ratio of the HänelSoft®-N is impressive."

Frank Gommeringer,
Work Preparation