flaconi Expects to Increase Picking Productivity by 57% with Robotic Automation

With more than three million active customers, flaconi is one of Germany’s top online retailers for beauty and perfume. Due to a rapid increase in order volumes, the retailer needed to address some key operational challenges to maintain its growth trajectory. 

Manual picking processes were inefficient, and peak seasons stretched their workforce thin. To optimize operations without a major infrastructure overhaul, Flaconi set clear goals: improve picking efficiency, manage labor instability, boost employee well-being, and handle both bulk and individual orders across a wide range of SKUs.

Person-to-goods automation and multiagent orchestration for the win

flaconi partnered with GreyOrange to implement a comprehensive automation solution tailored to their needs. The solution centers around GreyMatter, an advanced software platform that orchestrates the work of robots and people, and a fleet of 65 person-to-goods Ranger Assist cobots that seamlessly work alongside humans in flaconi’s fulfillment center. Robots as a Service (RaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) models allow flaconi to scale up or down based on demand, providing flexibility and cost efficiency.

The GreyOrange solution enhances productivity through:

• Flexible person-to-goods automation: Intelligent task allocation and dynamic zoning within the warehouse speeds up order fulfillment.
• Prioritized batch picking: Depending on flaconi’s needs, the system can streamline individual picking routes or prioritize batch picking for similar items.
• Intelligent tote loading: Robots optimize how they load totes based on product size and variations, improving efficiency.
• Operator guidance: Human-robot movement is synchronized during picking tasks to minimize idle time and maximize productivity.

“As we continue to scale, we look forward to expanding our use of the GreyOrange Ranger Assist robots. This advanced automation deployment empowers us to improve the daily operations of our teams, as they are now able to focus on more productive and strategic tasks. Our automated warehouse operations provide us with great flexibility and the ability to scale.”

Kurt-Alexander Westphal, Team Lead Operations Excellence at Flaconi

Doubling picking productivity for guaranteed on-time deliveries

With its new warehouse automation solution, flaconi expects to see significant operational improvements:

• 57% increase in picking productivity: Automation reduces both picking and travel time.
• Enhanced employee experience: With less strain and fewer manual tasks, employees can focus on more value-added tasks.
• Guaranteed on-time deliveries: Adherence to SLAs and minimal downtime ensure reliable performance and increased customer satisfaction.

RELATED READ: What is results-driven robotics?

Flaconi’s collaboration with GreyOrange exemplifies how automation can drive significant improvements in ecommerce operations, setting a benchmark for efficiency and productivity in the industry. Read the full case study here >>