The Satellite Review Magazine The Satellite Review Magazine Vol 1 | Page 25

GOING GREEN

“Going green” is an important business goal,

as everyone understands the importance of minimizing the
environmental impact of their business. Efforts at reducing
carbon emissions, recycling and purchasing green products
serve as common examples of ways in which many
businesses try to be more eco-friendly. However, more and
more firms are finding that automating their warehouses
and distribution centers offers a great way to go green while
adding efficiencies and savings to operations. In many ways,
going green can change accounting ledger entries from red to
black.
Consider the operational benefits of an Automated Storage
and Retrieval System (AS/RS) and its accompanying
Warehouse Execution System (WES) software. The AS/RSWES duo maximizes utilization of storage space, allowing
businesses to do more with the facilities they already have.
How is that possible? A modern AS/RS offers designs that
adapt to every business
model and product
inventory. The firm’s
mix of fast-, mediumand slow-moving
products dictates
design, not a material
handling vendor’s
preconception of optimal warehouse layout. Moreover, the
AS/RS need not be identically configured across an entire
warehouse or distribution center. Hybrid designs have the
ability to store products single-deep, double-deep or up to 12
loads deep in the rack struc­ ure, as well as use a single crane
t
or two in any aisle.

“

LAND USE
Automated warehouses and distribution centers require
a smaller building footprint. On average, AS/RS use
translates to reductions in square footage requirements in the
order of 40 percent or more when compared to conventional
warehouses storing equivalent product inventories. So, when
planning to construct a new facility, the amount of land
needed will be less, decreasing the environmental impact.
Businesses with existing structures contemplating expansion
via a building addition or a new facility can forgo
construction expenses and additional land use by installing
an AS/RS and leveraging existing space more efficiently.
Beyond lowering costs, there is less environmental damage
and more opportunities to incorporate green space.
The reduced space requirements derive from several factors.
First, the AS/RS allows flexibility in terms of the height,
length and width of the storage area. Plus, multiple-deep
storage lanes make even
denser storage possible.
Deeper lanes translate
to fewer aisles, and aisles
occupy a lot of warehouse
space that could be used
for other purposes
including product storage.
Minimizing aisle requirements, while concurrently
integrating accumulation conveyors and pick tunnels into the
AS/RS, allows unused space to be used for production and
other purposes.

Beyond faster throughput, the AS/RSWES combination reduces operating
costs from reduced labor, waste and
maintenance costs.

Efficiencies next derive from rack entry vehicles that can
quickly transport pallets (or any other unit) in and out of the
storage rack. Notably, today’s technology makes it possible to
move two pallets/loads at a time. Beyond faster throughput,
the AS/RS-WES combination reduces operating costs from
reduced labor, waste and maintenance costs. Better still, these
cost reductions are sustainable over the lifecycle of the
AS/RS, which is typically 25 years or more.
These operational benefits are the key selling points of
AS/RS. Less we ll known, yet equally important, are the
environmental benefits that automation provides. Three
primary “green” outcomes concern land use, energy
consumption and waste production, including hazardous
waste.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Automated warehouses require less energy to function.
Reductions arise from fewer interior lights, less space to
heat and cool, and the energy savings made possible by using
Storage/Retrieval Machines (S/RMs) outfitted with
regenerative braking. These mechanisms allow surplus
braking energy to be stored or transferred to the power grid
and used by other machines operating on the same grid.
Even more savings are possible in refrigerated or frozen
warehouses. Here again, regenerative braking contributes to
overall savings as does the dense cubic storage an AS/RS
allows. Cooling a smaller area is far more energy efficient and
less costly.

www. WestfaliaUSA.com

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