Real-time tracking for HERMA self-adhesive materials: Where have all the pallets gone?

• HERMA relies on state-of-the-art pallet tracking in real time when shipping its self-adhesive materials.
• Latest technology makes best use of space, improves material flow and improves shipping efficiency by identifying best bays.
• Delivery quality and times can thus be improved even as output rises.

With a view to enhancing delivery quality and reducing delivery times as the production of its self-adhesive materials increases, HERMA can now keep track of pallets that are ready for shipping to within 15 centimetres at any time. Its real-time location system (RTLS) is introducing an advanced form of optimised production planning. "In the interests of high production efficiency, we only seldom manufacture all of the products for a single consignment consecutively," explains HERMA managing director Dr. Thomas Baumgärtner. "We therefore give high priority to assembling all the pallets that make up an order quickly and reliably, and making them available to the forwarder in a single batch – while at the same time occupying as little space as possible." Since pallet sizes can vary greatly, a conventional system with permanent grid markings on the floor had to be ruled out. As Dr. Baumgärtner points out, "We would have required a much larger surface area," which was simply not feasible for cost and environmental reasons.

Ultra-wideband signalling technology
RTLS operates rather like a local GPS navigation system. It does not depend on satellites, however, but is controlled by speaker-sized sensors suspended from the hall ceiling. All the lift trucks carry four tags that continuously transmit signals to the sensors on a special ultra-wideband frequency. This allows the position of each lift truck – and therefore each pallet – to be determined exactly to within 15 cm. An on-board display tells the lift truck operator in real time where suitable storage bays are available, and how to group the pallets efficiently. RTLS thus achieves a high degree of flexibility, as regards both space and time, and optimises the internal flow of materials.

Opening a new chapter
HERMA managing director Dr. Baumgärtner describes RTLS as the latest in a series of measures introduced to further enhance the company's existing service strengths. He comments, "Although innovative multi-layer technology makes our offering stand out in the marketplace, the self-adhesive materials segment is highly competitive, so that product quality and added value are not the only criteria on which we are judged. Our customers attach the utmost importance to outstanding service, one aspect of which is efficient and reliable shipping. Real-time location has enabled us to open a new chapter in this respect."