Speeding fulfillment

Goya Europa, a subsidiary of Latin American food company Goya Foods Inc., has expanded its storage capacity and is boosting productivity at its Casarrubios del Monte warehouse, located in the Spanish province of Toledo. The gains come thanks to the installation of a semi-automated pallet shuttle system from warehouse automation specialist Mecalux. The high-density storage solution uses an electric shuttle to load and unload pallets inside compact racks quickly and accurately—replacing what was formerly done with forklifts and traditional storage racking. The project is helping Goya Europa ensure fast replenishment of a wide range of products to 4,000 points of sale throughout Spain. A MORE FLEXIBLE SOLUTION The Casarrubios del Monte warehouse has benefited from greater flexibility and efficiency since implementing the new technology, which works to condense storage and create a seamless flow through the facility. The project features five racking blocks measuring 26 feet high, with a capacity of around 3,000 pallets containing Goya canned goods, beans, sweets, beverages, and snacks. Storage lanes with depths of up to 33 pallets maximize density and optimize available space. Inside the lanes, a motorized shuttle moves autonomously to accelerate inbound and outbound flows, cut handling times, and minimize operational errors. Goya’s leaders say the pallet shuttle gives them the flexibility they need to manage more than 2,200 items and run a more efficient operation. “With this new infrastructure, the Goya Foods subsidiary has reinforced its growth strategy in the European market,” company leaders said in a statement describing the project. “The upgrade ensures quick, reliable service across the company’s retail network.”