The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2014 and is divided into several zones.
Valued at €15.5m (US$21.3m), the turnkey project involves Efacec’s work in different areas of Unicer’s distribution centre in Leca do Balio, Portugal.
The design of the system will be customized to raise productivity and save costs for the Portuguese brewery, said Efacec.
Automating the process
It will include the post-production processes, from the production zone to the shipping area.
Such as a high-bay automatic self-supporting warehouse for finished products, with a capacity of 50,000 pallets and total height of 32m.
A monorail transport system of 29 Rail Guided Vehicles (RGVs) that connects the interface platform with the high-bay warehouse, and brings empty bottle crates from an intermediary warehouse to the production zone.
A picking area that automatically or semi-automatically replenishes high-, medium- and low-rotation products in 400 locations
It will also include a shipping area with two complete redundant systems for separation of half pallets, and two for de-stacking of pallets with barrels.
Variety of components
“This is one of our most relevant orders to date, and it incorporates a variety of components to form a comprehensive solution for the customer,” said João Oliveira e Sousa, managing director of Efacec Singapore.
“The project enhances our portfolio in the beverage segment, and we are very honoured to be one of Carlsberg group’s preferred partners. Efacec is confident that our comprehensive set of solutions will enable Unicer to overcome challenges they currently face.”
Efacec said that with a high level of automation in every zone, processing errors are minimised while an improvement in productivity, efficiency, and a greater control of processes are achieved.
Sousa added: “Moving forward, we hope to extend this level of influence into the Asia Pacific market by sharing our global expertise and experience with customers across the region.
“With a strong team of people providing local support in Asia, we are excited about future growth opportunities here.”