Car manufacturer Aston Martin has installed two Atlet OPS man rising order pickers to maximise the use of space and improve picking efficiency at its parts operation in Milton
Keynes. The order pickers are used alongside Atlet trucks to provide complete flexibility in the warehouse, to pick parts ranging in size from body panels to nuts and bolts.
Having relocated the parts operation from its manufacturing plant in nearby Newport Pagnell, Aston Martin specified a building that could accommodate future growth. The warehouse was initially equipped with low level racking with a view to increasing capacity by adding higher level storage locations as the need arose.
Handling and picking tasks were managed using a UNS reach truck and TPL low level order picker supplied by Atlet. Increased sales, the introduction of additional models and growth meant the manufacturer implemented its plans for additional capacity during 2003. This included new racking that used the buildings full height so items are now stored on six levels up to 5m and which quadrupled storage capacity. There are now 20,000 lines held in 18,000 picking locations.
The Atlet OPS man rising order pickers, capable of picking up to 9.1m are now used for all medium- and large-sized item picking while the reach truck is used mainly for put-aways.
