Galico is a wholesale distributor of a wide range of products, more than 3,000 products, aimed specifically at DIY shops, professional hardware stores and garden centres. Their wide range is the result of years of experience and market knowledge. In addition, as a dynamic company, Galico searches worldwide for qualitative products that can represent added value for their customers.
In order to clearly structure the range, they use 4 product groups, each linked to its own house brand: Ladders and scaffolding (Escalo), Storage and furnishing (Practo Home), Garden and construction (Practo Garden) and Tools (Practo Tools).
A lower positioned warehouse required a high solution
Galico has expanded its 5000m² warehouse with a new warehouse, which brings them to a total area of 14000m². The land on which their buildings are located has a steep slope, so the floor area of the new warehouse had to be 6 metres lower than that of the existing building.
In the upper warehouse they do order picking, there is a limited stock, and in the new building all the other stock is stored. This new warehouse is an 18m high building. Here, they work with a VNA truck to extract the pallets needed for restocking from the shelves.
Due to the difference in height between the 2 warehouses, we had to find a solution to get the pallets from one warehouse to the other without losing too much time.
Together we found an Easy solution
We had to get the pallets from different shelves in the new warehouse to one central point in the picking warehouse. This is achieved by using standard euro pallets through to block pallets and customised 160 cm wide pallets.
After extensive research, we came to the conclusion that a switching mat was the best choice. We chose to install the conveyor over the entire width of the racks on the side of the new warehouse. This way, the VNA truck can drive from the aisles up to the conveyor and deposit its pallet directly on it. These pallets roll to a central point from where they go via a wall lead to the picking warehouse where they are buffered and systematically removed.
“Easy Systems took a close look at our specific situation and, together with us, started looking for a suitable solution to the various problems that arose. What Easy Systems proposed was a well thought-out plan that was the right solution for us.” Says Mathias Van Eeckhout, Logistics Manager.
An efficient and targeted result
At Galico, several people work with our conveyor solution. The warehouse workers, who work with the VNA truck, put the pallets on the conveyor. And the forklift truck drivers, take the pallets into the warehouse.
“The approach has given us a stable conveyor system that does what we initially asked. We deposit the pallets at height and they are buffered in one central place in the other warehouse. The result is therefore unbeatable.” – Mathias Van Eeckhout, Logistics Manager
The transport system requires no intervention by an employee during daily operations. Thanks to the various lasers that were placed, the conveyor stops when a forklift truck approaches to put its pallet on or off and starts again when the forklift truck has left. This way, the employees can work as efficiently as possible, without having to take into account the progress of our conveyor.
A personal approach & good cooperation
The cooperation went very smoothly from the start. Galico’s problem asked for a more personal approach, which we were happy to provide. From the start, we were on the same page, which makes it twice as pleasant!
“We chose to work with Easy Systems because of the good cooperation from the very beginning. Both parties were on the same wavelength, which made it possible to quickly reach an appropriate solution.” Mathias agrees
Are you curious about how our solutions can help your business? Mathias, logistics manager at Galico, already recommends us!
Watch the video here!