Careers
“With the solution covering two areas, the chocolate retains all its qualities”
About Schaal Chocolatier
Schaal Chocolatier is a leading manufacturer of premium chocolate and a benchmark in its sector. Its modern center in Geispolsheim (France) exports high-quality bonbons to Europe, the US, and Japan. The company blends the best ingredients with industrial methods that preserve their texture and flavor.
Mecalux interviews Guy Treguer, Managing Director of Schaal Chocolatier, on the benefits of automating and digitalizing its warehouse in Geispolsheim (France).
The Geispolsheim warehouse is connected to the production center. How has automation overhauled your operations?
Our main aim in building this facility — which spans over 21,500 ft² — was to stop outsourcing the storage of finished goods. At the same time, we were looking to enhance the quality of our confections, maintaining them at a constant temperature. Lastly, we wanted to house all the chocolates leaving our production lines.
We no longer outsource the storage of finished goods in order to better preserve them
How has Schaal Chocolatier’s intralogistics setup changed?
The automated warehouse provides us with numerous advantages. The stacker cranes offer us immediate access to products while allowing operators to handle fewer pallets manually. Plus, they bring flexibility to warehouse space management because these machines control and optimize slots in the automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS).
You’ve also digitalized operations with Easy WMS software. What improvements have you seen?
The software facilitates real-time information on inventory, which is especially useful in managing semi-finished products. Previously, these goods would remain in our production center to be managed manually. Now, once the products are manufactured, the warehouse and the WMS software enable us to identify the chocolates. As a result, we can monitor them more closely and preserve them better.
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“We chose Mecalux because of its experience and know-how, along with the confidence it inspired in us” What does storing temperature-sensitive products for long periods of time entail?
We need sufficient storage capacity to house the confections for almost 12 months. Moreover, it’s essential to ensure that the chocolate won’t lose any of its qualities beyond that time. We achieve this by being able to reduce the temperature inside the warehouse. As chocolate withstands the cold very well, we can extend its shelf life. The AS/RS installed by Mecalux includes two areas. One runs at 57 °F and the other at 41 °F, depending on the season and the products. This solution fully meets our requirements.
When modernizing your supply chain, what made you opt for Mecalux?
We chose Mecalux because of its recognized experience and know-how in warehouse management. The interpersonal relationship was also vital for me. It’s crucial to respect and have confidence in the people you’re working with. This trust undoubtedly fostered the exchange of ideas in addition to the project’s success.