Renault Group is using the latest automation technology at its Villeroy service parts distribution centre (PDC) in France. The carmaker said that the use of Skypod robots means the facility has increased the number of orders served by 25% per day, cut preparation time from two hours to 20 minutes and enabled it to reduce the storage surface area because the robots can pick items from height without risk to personnel.

There are currently, 191 robots operating at the Villeroy facility carrying out picking, inventory, storage and packaging jobs. They are supplied by Exotec, which specialises in industrial robots.

Renault Group x Exotec - site of the Villeroy Parts and Accessories Logistics Department copy (lo res)

The Exotec Skypod robots can pick trays from high storage racks at Renault’s Villeroy parts distribution centre

The PDC is now able to able prepare nearly 4,000 order lines per hour at its peak of activity across 14 picking stations. The robots manage the storage of trays and make them available to operators for order preparation. That includes transport of the trays to the storage racks, collection of the items ordered to the picking area and the movement of packaging to the shipping area, where they are sealed and routed to the shipping docks for loading onto trucks.

According to Renault Group, the Skypod system can adjust in real time to the addition of storage modules, robots or the modification of conveyors. The robots are autonomous and equipped with advanced navigation and handling capabilities. The compact design and built-in agility allow the robots to move quickly and efficiently in complex logistics environments, especially in the presence of other equipment and workers, said the carmaker.

Renault Group x Exotec - site of the Villeroy Parts and Accessories Logistics Department (8) copy lo res

The robots manage the storage of trays and make them available to operators for order preparation

“We are proud to collaborate with Exotec to equip our supply chain with Skypod robots, positioning our Villeroy site at the forefront of innovation,” said Xavier Lhor, director of aftersales at logistics at Renault Group. “Thanks to this solution and the teams in place, we will be able to increase by 25% the number of orders served and strengthen our commitment to customer satisfaction, which remains a priority for us.”

Renault Group also said that the use of the Exotec robots reduces the PDC’s energy consumption by 30% compared to the previous handling equipment.

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