Boosting Efficiency in HORECA Logistics: Cippone & Di Bitetto’s Success with Modula VLMs

Cippone & Di Bitetto Case Study Summary

Cippone & Di Bitetto, a leading distribution company in the HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) sector, specializes in the delivery of food, beverages, and comprehensive training support at sales points. Their operations include beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, and more, making their logistics unique, featuring nighttime picking and fast delivery within twelve hours. To optimize their warehouse operations, the company integrated Modula Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs). This decision allowed them to recover over 400 linear meters of floor space, improving picking accuracy, minimizing errors, and enhancing overall productivity and customer satisfaction.

The Challenge

Cippone & Di Bitetto faced the challenge of managing a diverse inventory of both single products and full cases, particularly for B-class and C-class items characterized by low sales and stock levels. The manual shelving system took up a considerable footprint, limiting storage space and increasing the cost per square meter.

Additionally, the company needed a solution that could accommodate their unconventional picking schedule, which involved late-night operations to meet next-day delivery demands. Efficient use of space, enhanced picking accuracy, and minimizing errors were key requirements to improve their overall productivity and customer satisfaction.

The Solution

To tackle these challenges, Cippone & Di Bitetto adopted four Modula Vertical Lift Modules, customized to fit their warehouse needs. These units offered flexibility in storing both single products and full cases, which helped to enhance their picking operations. The tray sizes were tailored to accommodate a range of products, from small items to larger formats, providing organized storage while maintaining quick access.

By implementing the Modula VLMs, Cippone & Di Bitetto reclaimed over 400 linear meters of storage, optimizing the footprint without needing any structural expansion. The integration of Modula units with their Warehouse Management System (WMS) streamlined operations, allowing operators to quickly retrieve precise item locations using the Copilot interface.

The laser pointer guides operators directly to the items to pick, virtually eliminating mix-ups and enhancing accuracy. The Modula VLMs also manage B-class and C-class returns, streamlining the entire restocking process. By keeping lower turnover products in the Modula units, the company can ensure that higher turnover items remain easily accessible in the traditional storage areas, avoiding overcrowding.

Cippone & Di Bitetto’s future plans include adding a temperature-controlled Modula unit to manage specific food items that require consistent temperatures, and the creation of a fully automated warehouse section to support continued growth in their business.

Key Features of the Cippone & Di Bitetto Case Study:

• Space Optimization: The implementation of Modula VLMs reclaimed over 400 linear meters and 40 full-height bays, reducing cost per square meter and creating more operational space.
• Enhanced Picking Efficiency: Custom tray dimensions allowed efficient storage of both individual units and cases, improving access and reducing picking errors through laser-guided technology.
• Seamless WMS Integration: The Modula units are fully integrated with the company’s WMS, streamlining both picking and replenishment operations and providing precise inventory tracking.
• Error Reduction: Automation, combined with laser pointers, minimized picking errors, leading to improved accuracy and customer satisfaction.
• Future Scalability: Plans for a temperature-controlled unit and a fully automated area demonstrate Cippone & Di Bitetto’s proactive approach to scaling and adapting their logistics to meet future demands.

Automation has virtually eliminated errors since the tray now presents the product, and the laser pointer shows us exactly which product to pick. This has essentially brought product mix-ups to zero
Michele Stragapede CEO at Cippone & Di Bitetto.