viastore systems' Automated Storage/Retrieval System (AS/RS) goes live at new IKEA Distribution Center in Savannah, Georgia

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN --- viastore systems, a leading automated material handling and supply chain execution software solutions provider, is pleased to announce that IKEA has gone live with a new Automated Storage/Retrieval System (AS/RS) at the Swedish home furnishings retailer's newest state-of-the-art Distribution Center that became operational earlier this year in Savannah, Georgia. viastore systems manufactured and installed the thirteen (13) aisle unit-load AS/RS using viapal Storage/Retrieval (S/R) machines handling pallets of finished goods for distribution.

The approximately 100 ft. tall system stores approximately 81,000 pallets of finished goods, each weighing up to 1,874 lb. In addition to the S/R machines, viastore also provided the unit-load pallet conveyor system that is used to feed the AS/RS. Pallets may be entered into the AS/RS from any of the four (4) corners of the facility eliminating heavy lift truck traffic. The system includes conveyor output stations at all aisles on both ends of the system with input on a mezzanine level.

Lift trucks are used to deposit and remove pallets from the system. Pallet sizing stations check the loads and scanners read the bar code labels on the pallets upon deposit. The Identification (ID) stations verify the physical dimensions and weight of the pallets to determine if the product is too large or heavy to enter the AS/RS, or if it should be rejected due to broken boards on the pallet. The bar code scan verifies whether the item should be stored in the AS/RS or if it should be rejected for any of a number of reasons. Pallets destined for the AS/RS enter one (1) of two (2) vertical lifts and are transported to the mezzanine level where there are two (2) high-speed shuttle cars waiting to distribute them to one (1) of the thirteen (13) available aisles.

Flexibility was another important requirement. The system has the ability to handle both Euro pallets (800 x 1,200 mm) and extended IKEA pallets (800 x 2000 mm). With these two (2) pallet sizes nearly all items to be stored in the facility can be handled by the S/R machines. The controls for the system provided by viastore include the PLC controls for the conveyor system, the IPC control for the S/R machines, and the viad@t Material Flow Control (MFC) and Visualization (VISU) software packages that include an interface to IKEA's existing Warehouse Management System (WMS). Each S/R machine is designed to handle approximately thirty (30) dual cycles per hour. You can review the IKEA Installation Summary with this link to our web site.

For viastore, developing the right solution with IKEA was a critical factor. "IKEA is a very experienced user of AS/RS systems, already operating other distribution centers, including two (2) very similar Distribution Centers provided by viastore in Europe," said Joe Stojak, viastore president and CEO. "viastore is very pleased to have been chosen by IKEA for this project and we are pleased with the cooperation of IKEA and viastore that has resulted in another successful integrated system implementation," Stojak added.

IKEA products are manufactured worldwide, with overseas items shipped in containers to the Port of Savannah, Georgia. The new 786,000 square foot IKEA Distribution Center is located near the Port where the majority of the product is received. The new facility was built to support the distribution of products to IKEA stores in the Southeastern United States.

IKEA --- IKEA believes home is the most important place in the world and, since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of the people can afford them. There are currently more than 260 IKEA stores in 36 countries, including 32 in the U.S.. For three consecutive years, IKEA has been named to Working Mother magazine's annual list of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers"and Training magazine's annual "Top 100" ranking of companies that excel at human capital development - as well as to Fortune's"100 Best Companies to Work For" list. IKEA incorporates environmentally and socially responsible efforts into day-to-day business, strives to be an employer of choice, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. To visit the IKEA Web site, or for information about working at IKEA, please visit www.IKEA-USA.com.

viastore systems provides "Warehousing Efficiency Through Automation" and is a leading global supplier of Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems (AS/RS). North American clients include Cargill Meat Solutions, Continental Teves NA, Gordon Food Service, Lockheed Martin, L'Oreal USA, Ford Motor Corporation, Frito Lay Corporation, Robert Bosch Corporation and Wilsonart International. The company has developed and manufactured all types of Storage/Retrieval (S/R) machines as one of its primary product lines since 1970. Today, viastore is an international corporation with an assembly plant in Germany and branches and subsidiaries in Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States, Israel, Malaysia and Russia. A leading global supplier of Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems and supply chain execution products, the company has sales offices in 17 countries, and has implemented systems in more than 20 countries worldwide.

For more information regarding viastore systems, its products or services, visit our website at www.viastore.comor contact us at info@viastore.com.