(Marchtrenk, 15 March 2022) For the expansion of their fulfillment center in Weggis, the Swiss coffee machine specialist is once again counting on the experience and skill of its intralogistics partner TGW. Alongside software, controls and mechatronics, focus lies on picking workstations and preparation for the future deployment of autonomous mobile robots (AMR). The new system is scheduled to go live in the summer of 2024.
The family-run company Thermoplan was founded in 1974 and is one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of high-quality coffee machines. At the company's headquarters on the banks of Lake Lucerne, over 400 employees produce bean to cup coffee machines for restaurants, hotels, coffeehouse chains, bakeries and the self-service sector. Their international customers include industry leaders such as Nespresso or Starbucks.
With this project "unique," Thermoplan is investing in its fifth plant in Weggis due to the company's continuous growth and the high demand for its products. The building, which has been planned entirely digitally and achieved LEED (Leadership Energy and Environmental Design) certification, will house production and logistics areas as well as offices and will provide the basis for the development that is planned for the coming years. Thus, the coffee machine specialist can continue to raise its level of service for its international customers and guarantee quick and reliable delivery.
Thermoplan has been a customer of intralogistics expert TGW since 2019: a close and longtime collaborative partnership links the two companies. A four-aisle shuttle warehouse with more than 40,000 storage locations was commissioned in Weggis in 2020 and provides storage not only for the components required for assembling the coffee machines but also for replacement parts.
The current expansion encompasses ergonomic and efficient picking workstations as well as fully integrating Plant 5 into the existing infrastructure. Among other things, this will involve expansion of the KingDrive® conveyor system network and integration of controls and software.
The so-called "gates" are already being equipped with docking stations to facilitate the next step: automatic supply of the assembly workstations by autonomous mobile robots (AMR).
"We are delighted to accompany Thermoplan's growth and to be their partner of choice once again," stresses Thomas Kretz, Managing Director TGW Switzerland.