Alstef Group has been selected to carry out a significant retrofit project at Nestlé’s York Distribution Centre (YDC) in York, UK.

The project, led by Alstef Group’s Intralogistics Works Business Unit for Nestlé, underscores the company’s expertise in modernizing, upgrading and optimizing existing warehousing systems to extend their lifespan and boost operational performance. This initiative entails the replacement of six stacker cranes and their control systems within the factory’s automatic warehouse.

The new high-bay stacker crane installation will replace the existing storage system in the automatic warehouse. These six cranes feature advanced capabilities, including double deep telescopic forks for enhanced storage, a travel acceleration of 0.4 meter per second, and a lifting speed of 40 meters per minute. Additionally, the cranes are equipped with camera assistance, featuring two cameras mounted on the lifting unit to minimize the need for technicians to climb the mast.

The electrical and control system upgrades include the installation of a new electrical cabinet housing a ground PLC. The project also involves the installation of aisle equipment such as communication cells and buffers, which will enhance system communication and efficiency. Notably, the new stacker cranes will no longer have individual on board PLCs. Instead, a single stationary PLC will control all stacker cranes through a Profinet network, offering the advantages of uniform programming for all stacker cranes, easier and quicker remote access, and simplified desynchronizing to prevent current spikes.