In context
In early 2025, food and beverage manufacturers were increasingly turning to automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) to handle rising demand and labor constraints. Boehli, a European snack maker, sought to modernize its French plant to boost throughput and maintain competitiveness in export markets.
What was reported
Mecalux installed two AS/RS at Boehli's Gundershoffen, France facility, which operates seven production lines for pretzels and breadsticks. The systems include an Automated Pallet Shuttle with a stacker crane for finished goods and an 80-meter-long AS/RS for raw materials and packaging, totaling 4,054 pallet positions.
This automation enables the plant to manage and dispatch an average of 360 pallets per day, supporting a daily output of 31 tonnes. The systems are integrated with Mecalux's Easy WMS warehouse management software, ensuring just-in-time supply to production lines. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) connect storage and manufacturing areas for smooth workflow.
Boehli exports 39% of its production to countries including Germany, Denmark, Japan, South Korea, UAE, and Australia, underscoring the need for efficient storage and dispatch.
“Automation enables us to manage and dispatch an average of 360 pallets per day.”
Why it mattered
The deployment highlights how mid-sized food manufacturers can leverage AS/RS and WMS to scale output without expanding floor space, improving order accuracy and speed—key factors for serving global markets. It also demonstrates the growing role of integrated automation in food logistics.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2025-03-03 · “Boehli drives snack production to 31 daily tonnes with two automated storage systems from Mecalux”