More and more companies are relying on automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in intralogistics to increase efficiency and meet challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers. This is also the case at GGP Media GmbH in Pößneck, Thuringia, which produces high-quality print and digital publications.

More and more companies are relying on automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in intralogistics to increase efficiency and meet challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers. This is also the case at GGP Media GmbH in Pößneck, Thuringia, which produces high-quality print and digital publications.

AGVs as a solution for skills shortages and increased efficiency
In view of the shortage of skilled workers and rising costs, GGP Media decided to use an AGV in March 2024, which has been in 24-hour operation ever since. Previously, material transportation in production was carried out manually, which led to a bottleneck: "We were having increasing problems finding skilled workers and therefore had to look for future-proof alternatives," reports Matthias Stumpf, Head of Intralogistics at GGP Media. "Rising labor costs and the shortage of skilled workers made the use of an AGV increasingly attractive in order to find a reliable and efficient solution without additional personnel costs."

Tailor-made solution for 24/7 operation at GGP Media
A material flow simulation was carried out before the AGV was implemented. This provided important insights into the optimum number of vehicles and potential bottlenecks in the layout. The aim was to automate the transport processes between the printing presses and the high-bay warehouse. To meet GGP Media's requirements, ek robotics developed a concept with three driverless transport vehicles from the modular VARIO MOVE series. These vehicles are equipped with shortened forks and counterweights to pick up the finished goods on europallets and transport them safely to the transfer stations of the high-bay warehouse.

Automation to optimize logistics processes
The automation project at GGP Media shows that AGVs are an efficient and future-proof solution for overcoming challenges in intralogistics. Even with complex, tightly timed processes and limited space, the integration of automated guided vehicles offers an efficient way to improve the material flow. GGP Media's experience shows that automated systems not only lead to an increase in costs and efficiency but can also be easily integrated into existing working environments.

About ek robotics
ek robotics is one of the world's leading manufacturers and system integrators of innovative high-tech transport robotics for production and warehouse logistics. At five locations worldwide (Hamburg, headquarters, GER), Reutlingen (GER), Milan (IT), Prague (CZ) and Buckingham (UK), the transport robotics specialist with over 300 employees creates intelligent, networked and flexible transport solutions for the fully automated, internal material flow of its globally active customers. For more than 60 years, ek robotics has been setting new standards in the automation industry and benefits from decades of experience in the development, production, integration and turnkey delivery of automated guided vehicles (AGV). With convincing support throughout the entire AGV life cycle, the AGV pioneer continues to assist its global customers even decades after commissioning.

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