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Royal Canin achieves 50% increase in forklift loading rates with Zebra Technologies

Zebra Technologies has announced the successful deployment of its FS40 fixed industrial scanners and ET60 tablets at Royal Canin, yielding a 50% increase in forklift loading rates. This advanced technology, implemented by Zebra partner WIIO, enhances worker safety and optimises logistics processes.

At Royal Canin’s Cambrai, France warehouse, the company ships 1,800 food pallets daily, operating around the clock to serve markets globally. Each pallet is scanned before it is loaded onto a trailer to ensure visibility and efficiency.

“With our previous manual processes, we had pedestrian operators unloading pallets and circling around to perform the scans,” says Camilo Caro Urrego, Focus Improvement Manager, Royal Canin. “We knew reducing the contact between operators and the pallets through automation would greatly improve work safety and speed up tracking.”

In only three days, WIIO, a Zebra Premier Solution and Industrial Automation Partner, installed FS40 fixed industrial scanners and ET60 tablets throughout the Cambrai plant in collaboration with Zebra.

“Zebra and WIIO didn’t just offer us a product,” said François-Xavier Bréhon, Factory Manager, Royal Canin. “They brought a plug-and-play system directly to our site, let us test it without stopping production and stayed involved throughout the process. Zebra’s technology integrated with WIIO has changed everything.”

The solution, which was seamlessly integrated with Royal Canin’s existing warehouse management system (WMS), eliminates pedestrian traffic and ensures accurate hands-off traceability of every pallet.

“We are proud to have helped Royal Canin achieve a positive return on investment within three months,” said Benjamin Defaye, Machine Vision and Fixed Industrial Scanning Manager, France, Zebra Technologies. “Our collaboration with WIIO has enabled us to address Royal Canin’s diverse production requirements with an intelligent automation solution that improves safety and productivity for its frontline workers.”

Following the successful implementation at its Cambrai facility, other Royal Canin plants are exploring similar systems with the aim of bringing this level of efficiency to every site.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

· Zebra's FS40 fixed industrial scanners and ET60 tablets have significantly improved safety and efficiency at Royal Canin's Cambrai site by automating pallet scanning processes.

· The integration has led to a 50% increase in forklift loading rates.

· In collaboration with WIIO, Zebra provided Royal Canin with a seamless and ready-to-use solution, ensuring rapid deployment and a positive return on investment.