ASRS Rack Supported Building Defies Food Distribution Challenges | Apex Project Spotlight

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Heat Up Freezer Warehousing with a Rack Supported Building & Customized Automation

Big challenges take a significant response –take a look at phase one of a new rack supported building project. With a new, nearly fully-automated warehouse, one major food processor is getting ready to say, “Challenge Accepted.”

Just in time for the cold weather, the Apex team is on-site finishing up construction of an automated ASRS rack supported building. The project is part of a food manufacturing plant expansion. This multi-functional freezer, cold storage, and ambient warehouse will address fluctuating and costly labor market challenges and warehouse size/lot constraints. 

As a result, the rack supported building maximizes the available lot space, and the warehouse automation solutions will render the facility practically labor free. A sophisticated automated storage and retrieval solution (ASRS) accessed by automated-guided vehicles (AGVs) will combine forces to create a seamless warehousing operation. 

Take a look at some of the project specs:  

  • Plant addition to accommodate 4 new product lines
  • Total Warehouse Space – 180,000 sq ft 
  • Ambient space – 14,000 sq ft x ~40’ high featuring 2,360 pallet positions (5H x 2D Push-Back) and 3 VNA turret aisles
  • Cooler space – 12,800 sq ft x ~80’ high featuring 3,040 pallet positions (8H x 2D) and 2 crane aisles
  • Freezer space – 18,800 sq ft x ~80’ high featuring 4,560 pallet positions (8H x 2D) and 3 crane aisles

The project’s logistics were challenging and included accommodating three pallet styles through the warehouse automation system- wood, plastic & metal.

Once the rack supported building is completed, only the dock and ambient portion of the facility will require manned forklifts or lift vehicles. The cooler and freezers will be accessed via automated cranes, and AGVs will ferret inventory to and from production.

The ASRS system includes the following:

  • Automatic sizing/pallet check stations
  • Automated infeed/outfeed of system
  • Cranes for pallet movement
  • AGVs for cross-plant traffic

All in a Day’s Work

The Apex team is ready to help you with your warehousing challenges. Our full-service tailored solutions can help you meet your operational goals from new construction like this rack supported building to renovations, or custom pallet storage systems, pick modules, and more.

Call the Apex team for full-service support from concept to installation and beyond. 

Apex full-service support: 

  • Warehouse Design & Engineering
  • Automation Solutions
  • Project Management/Permitting & Installation
  • Rack Inspections & Repair
  • Material Handling Equipment
  • Forklift Operator Training & Certification
  • Forklift Service & Fleet Maintenance
  • Equipment Financing, Leasing & Rentals

…with Apex, One Call Does It All.