Swisslog Customer Magazine: Rise of the Robots
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RISE OF THE ROBOTS: INSPIRATION AN EXCITING FUTURE SWISSLOG WAREHOUSE & DISTRIBUTION SOLUTIONS GLOBAL MAGAZINE ISSUE FIVE PLUS: UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP // FASHION LOGISTICS // U.S. GROWTH // HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY INSPIRATION // PAGE 3 WELCOME // PAGE 4 NEW ERA FOR WDS // PAGE 6 aUTOMATION POWERHOUSE // PAGE 8 FUTURE ROBoTICS: WHERE ARE WE HEADING? // PAGE 10 UNITED IN THE STATES // PAGE 12 SUCCESS STORY: DB SCHENKER // PAGE 14 ON-TIME FASHION LOGISTICS // PAGE 16 WHEN HEALTH MATTERS // PAGE 18 livZON MOTHERSHIP // PAGE 20 five YEARS OF TORNADO // PAGE 22 A NEW RETAIL ERA // PAGE 24 eye ON TOMORROW DESIGN. DEVELOP. DELIVER. 02 WELCOME WELCOME Welcome to the latest issue of our Inspiration magazine. What a time to be alive! The future has never been so exciting, particularly in the world of Automation, Industry 4.0 and the synergies and new directions we're taking together with our new parent company, KUKA. For us, this is where the future starts, taking new directions and walking new paths as we combine the experiences and competen- ces of our old and new friends to build a new power in the sector - an Automation Powerhouse. This magazine is about innovation and advancement. We're forecasting future technologies, how robotics will impact intralogistics and the advantages we see on the horizon, while also looking at some of the successes already achieved. We hope you enjoy reading it! Dr. Christian Baur Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions 03 INSPIRATION CHRISTIAN BAUR APPOINTED DIVISION PRESIDENT Christian believes Swisslog will focus on new developments and innovation - using synergies derived from being part of KUKA - to evaluate new market entries and drive technology forward. 04 DR CHRISTIAN BAUR NEW BOSS IN July 2015, SWISSLOG JOINED FORCES WITH robotics BUSINESS, KUKA. NOW, WE'RE PROUD to HAVE A NEW LEADER at THE HELM. Christian Baur has been President of the Warehouse & Distribution Dr. Christian Baur has been Solutions division (WDS) since September 2015. We interrupted his busy Chief Operating Officer of schedule to ask him a few questions on what the new role means for the Swisslog Group since customers... February 2015 What is your typical day like? Among other things, he is responsible CB: Of course, part of my work at present involves the integration of for Operational Excellence, M&A, Swisslog within the wider KUKA organization. Generally my job is liaising purchasing and IT. In addition, since with customers, shareholders, key suppliers and, of course, the rest of the September 2015 he has been President management team to ensure we are focused on delivering the right things of the Warehouse & Distribution to customers. In my position, it is important to listen to my team to Solutions division (WDS). understand their needs. It's crucial that we understand what is required to drive our developments in the right direction. From 2013 to January 2015 he was Head of Corporate Development and How would you describe your management style? M&A at KUKA AG, Augsburg, Germany. CB: That's probably a question to ask those around me, but I try to create an Previously, he worked as a manage- atmosphere that allows people to flourish. We have fantastically talented ment consultant. Christian studied people, building great things. mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Munich and Is President of WDS a challenging role? received a doctoral degree from the CB: I think the best answer is "Yes, but in all the right ways!" Integrating Technical University of Karlsruhe. two successful organizations is always going to be a challenge, but both KUKA and Swisslog are already alike in many ways. Both are driven by technology with a high focus on quality and technology. It is great to be bringing people together to build a business worthy of the title automation powerhouse! How have recent developments impacted on performance? CB: Generally, very well. We are excited by the prospects presented by our strong new partners and the technical know-how that they bring. We continue to work on innovation projects. Research and technology is incredibly important to us, and there are many more exciting times ahead. Where do you see Swisslog in two or three years' time? CB: Our vision is to become an Automation Powerhouse. We already have considerable experience from our work across the globe, and you can expect more from us soon. For major businesses looking to push to the next level, we have a powerful message. From e-commerce to food & beverage, our wealth of knowledge covers multiple industries. We should be their first port of call and, as ever, it is in the application of the new technology, bringing it all together, that we find real customer benefit. That’s the exciting bit! www.swisslog.com/WDS 05 INSPIRATION POWER station THE COMING-TOGETHER OF TWO MAJOR INNOVATORS POINTS to AN EXCITING FUTURE FOR customers. Since building its first industrial robot in 1977, KUKA has earned an international reputation for robotic excellence. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries, including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries, as well as multiple applications, including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, Together, Swisslog and KUKA are on a the entire supply chain, from design to pro- joining, and surface finishing. mission to build a business worthy of the duction, storage and shipping for the areas term Automation Powerhouse. of retail e-commerce , food & beverage, pharmaceuticals , automotive, aerospace & To understand our goals, it's worth con- electronics. KUKA Facts and Figures sidering the nature of the fast-moving sectors benefitting from our technology • Complimentary fit – We are two and services. like-minded organizations, primarily serving customers in fast-growing, but comple- 14 455 A number of megatrends are driving the mentary markets. Together, the aim is to The company was founded in 1898 in Augsburg, Germany, by Johann Josef demands, which are leading to greater create a new, global supplier of integrat- Keller and Jacob Knappich. Initially, the demand in the Automation sector. ed automation solutions for numerous business produced house and street industries. lights. Today it employs 14 455 people While the future may not be completely in 25 countries. predictable, many of the trends influenc- • Bundle of know-how and service - A new ing today’s modern warehousing are well single source with the best solutions. Our known. We know that technology, the en- integrated approach means less hassle, a 90% vironment, globalization and demographic single point of contact and knowledge- The number one supplier in automotive changes are all influential factors. All these able partner. The combination of strong solutions, KUKA has seen a 90% growth factors makes automation necessary and innovation expertise and cutting-edge in robotics from 2010-2014. appropriate. solutions opens up further opportunities to all customers. The Automation Powerhouse offers a strong future-driven partnership, developing • Organizational advantages - We are 21 000 intelligent, sensitive and mobile systems, to already able to meet our objectives faster, In 2014, 21 000 robots were produced, meet the needs of tomorrow, today. and therefore seize development oppor- including the super-fast KR AGILUS series and the touch sensitive LBR iiwa. tunities for our customers. We have a Through proven reliability and maximum stronger international presence, putting us productivity, we continue to eliminate closer in both a geographical and techno- risk and deliver total confidence for your logical sense, allowing us to provide greater business. We offer a complete solution for insights into what drives local markets. 06 AUTOMATION POWERHOUSE MAN VERSUS MACHINE: German table tennis champ, Timo Boll, helped demonstrate the remarkable capabilities of the fastest robot on earth: the KR AGILUS. The original Duel movie pitched Timo versus the robot in a highly polished promo, created to celebrate the opening of KUKA’s first ever plant in Shanghai in 2014. This year saw Timo take up a second challenge; he turned his hand to music (sort of!), billed as The Revenge! Together the two videos have racked up more than 7 million YouTube views! 07 INSPIRATION THE HUMAN SIDE OF robotics HELP AT HOME Additional mobility is already enabling initial solutions in the area of professional service robotics – for use in both the work environment and at home. 08 INDUSTRY 4.0 FUTURE ROBOTS WHERE ARE WE HEADING? Internet, smartphones, tablets: what just a few years ago was completely new and unknown on the market, has today become a natural part of our lives. The term “digital natives” applies to a generation that is growing up in and with the digital world as a matter of course. KUKA sees a similar devel- opment occurring in robotics. While today robots are used primarily in industrial manufacturing, they will gradually conquer other areas of life. And this will lead to future generations growing up as “robotic natives” as "Robotics will exhibit a they are surrounded by highly diverse types of automation technologies similar disruptive force in and systems. the next 50 years as the Internet in the last half AN AGEING SOCIETY century. It will penetrate and The ageing of society due to demographic change, extreme product demand enrich every aspect of life in and accompanying high demand for logistics solutions are just a few of the challenges that we will have to face in the coming century. The solution: the world." robots increasingly providing support in all areas of life. Moving beyond industry, robots will establish themselves as modern production assistants Dominik Bösl, through sensitive capabilities and new safety technologies. Corporate Innovation INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS Manager, KUKA In order for the development of robotics to reach this point, new technol- ogies must be developed.