Unique combination system integration
modules A-Frame
AGVs
Autobaggers
shipping sorters
QuickBox
Earlier 2024, Inther Group started automating the QuickBox Fulfillment distribution center in Atlanta, USA. For this, various intralogistics technologies, including an A-Frame, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autobaggers, were integrated in a way that is unique to the intralogistics sector. The goal was to have the fully automated system up and running before Black Friday 2024, the absolute peak season for QuickBox. Inther Group has (once again) succeeded with flying colors.
The QuickBox distribution center in Atlanta was equipped with a fully automated logistics system, with a hybrid integration of different types of intralogistics technologies that has never been realized before: the Inther A-frame with dual filling station drops the products on AGVs. These then distribute the majority of the orders over four Autobag packaging machines, after which they are sorted. In this way, approximately 70% of the e-commerce orders are picked, packed and sorted fully automatically. The remaining orders (mainly slow movers with a size that is too large for the A-Frame) are packed manually via an Inther pick-by-light system. The only thing QuickBox has to focus on is refilling the A-Frame. The rest of the process has been fully automated by Inther.
Unique combination integration
Martijn Herder – CEO at Inther Group – describes the project: “QuickBox wanted an A-Frame for their distribution center in Atlanta in combination with the automatic packaging of orders with Autobag packaging systems. The A-Frame guarantees the highest possible productivity and an optimal material flow for fast processing of complex orders, even during peak loads. With features such as continuous inventory monitoring, real-time video recording and product heat mapping, orders are processed 100% correctly. In order to automatically transport the products from the A-Frame to four Autobag packaging machines, the AGVs from Tompkins eventually came into the picture. The unique thing about this system is the automation of the entire intralogistics process, which means that QuickBox only has to concentrate on refilling the A-Frame. This is therefore interesting even for fast movers. To my knowledge, the combination of technologies with A-Frame, AGVs and Autobaggers has never been realized anywhere else like this before.”
QuickBox itself also looks back on the project with a good feeling: “It is not often that you are able to be a part of a project that is the first in the world. The Inther team has been a very professional and flexible partner in bringing this unique and exciting automation project to fruition on a tight timeline.”, explains Shaun Sutherland, VP of Implementations & Innovations at QuickBox fulfillment.
The system
The Inther system includes the following components:
- A-frame (13 modules) with Dual filling station and Puma (measuring unit, which automatically checks stock levels and refills)
- 125 meters conveyors by Inther Conveyor Equipment
- Tompkins tSort solution with 25 AGVs
- 4 Autobag packaging machines
- 3 Modsort units as shipping sorter
- 2 Pick-by-Light workstations
- 14 packing workstations
About QuickBox
With five distribution centers located throughout the United States, QuickBox Fulfillment offers a wide range of third-party logistics (3PL) services for e-commerce and multichannel retailers. The e-commerce distribution center in Atlanta is used to store and deliver Pura products (intelligent fragrance diffusion systems and refills for consumers).
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