23 March, 0226Motion Technology Company Schaeffler has received the VDA Logistics Award for its “Touchless Material Flow” strategic initiative. With the program, the company aims to reduce its reliance on manual interventions in its global intralogistics operations and, through automated and AI-powered solutions, set a new standard in material flow optimization. The initiative was launched in 2021 and has already been successfully implemented at several manufacturing locations worldwide. A key requirement for successful implementation is the availability of an extensive portfolio of solutions encompassing automated guided vehicles, automated storage and retrieval systems, and humanoid robots. “Touchless Material Flow” connects all of these in a digital ecosystem.
“We are very pleased to have won the prestigious VDA Logistics Award, which confirms our vision of fully connected, autonomous intralogistics,” says Thomas Kirchermeier, Senior Vice President Supply Chain Management & Logistics at Schaeffler AG. “Schaeffler pursues the goal of continuously automating and digitalizing its logistics processes. With the ‘Touchless Material Flow’ initiative, we are creating a scalable digital backbone for our global manufacturing operations. Schaeffler is transforming material flow from purely physical movement to an intelligent, digital ecosystem. Through the use of AI and humanoid robots, we are setting new standards in terms of productivity and making our plants fit for the digital future.”
Schaeffler additionally provides an overview of all approved automation solutions via an internal platform – with technical data, supplier information, and use cases. With the help of a standardized end-to-end approach, potential along the entire material flow is systematically recognized and productivity is sustainably increased through the targeted use of modern automation technologies and organizational optimizations. The globally available solutions portfolio offers simple and scalable standards that help harmonize manufacturing processes and strengthen cross-divisional cooperation. This central database supports the continuous expansion and improvement of the standard solutions worldwide. A key requirement for success is the establishment of a global “Touchless Material Flow Network” that makes innovative solutions visible, promotes the implementation of these solutions, and enables targeted knowledge transfer between plants.
