Automation requires new competencies

Quick stock check
In two warehouses, drones are used not just to take inventory, but also to control the quality of the packaging. Within 15 seconds, they scan a stock slot, identify each pallet by its label and check whether it contains the right goods and follows the correct packing arrangement. The technology then feeds all data back into the SAP system. The drones are due to be deployed in many other non-fully automated warehouses soon.

Short pathways
In Germany, Serbia, Poland and Spain, self-driving forklifts are taking over particularly short, recurring trips in production. The AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) use sensors within a defined area for orientation, as well as scanning their surroundings with laser and ultrasound technology. When an emitter stops working, the vehicle comes to an immediate halt to ensure that it won’t collide with people or other devices.

Better forecasts
Henkel uses algorithms to generate realistic demand forecasts. Its so-called “demand sensing” combines internal data with public information like weather reports and holiday dates to estimate sales volumes in a given region. Demand sensing is currently in use for all European and North American markets. In the next implementation phase, Henkel will add customer data to the mix and roll the application out globally.

Measurable sustainability
How much energy does the Somat filling process in Düsseldorf currently require? Which outlets consume more water than average? Henkel generates digital representations of all its environmental indicators. At every site, for every factory, we measure how much water and energy are needed and how much waste is generated. The figures allow comprehensive benchmarking, highlight potential for improvement and enable energy savings in the amount of 7 million euros per year.

Good ideas
As members of a production site’s management team, digital SPOCs (Single Points of Contact) act as multipliers for digital topics and speed up the communication both ways. Thanks to them, important decisions reach the individual sites faster. Conversely, they pick up employees’ ideas and suggestions, consolidate them and take them back to the group. The dialog increases employees’ awareness of which topics are important for the company and motivates them to contribute individually.