The Italian fashion retailer OVS has launched a highly automated omnichannel distribution center southwest of Milan in collaboration with TGW Logistics. The project goal was to reduce lead times while increasing flexibility for the growing online and store business. With the new "FlashPick" system, OVS can pick and ship around 100,000 garments daily.
Matteo Righini, Managing Director TGW Italy, emphasizes: “We are very pleased that we were able to convince OVS with the performance and flexibility of our solution. Thanks to FlashPick, the fashion specialist is optimally aligned with the requirements of omnichannel retail and can efficiently link stationary retail supply with the online business.”
OVS, which unites brands such as OVS, UPIM, and Stefanel under
its umbrella and achieves a turnover of 1.63 billion euros with around 2,000 stores, is relying on a central automation solution to handle orders efficiently and flexibly. This supports not only the replenishment of stores but also the e-commerce business.
Central automated storage area
The FlashPick system from TGW Logistics is an automated goods-to-person solution for omnichannel retail. A shuttle warehouse automatically stores items and delivers them to ergonomically designed PickCenter workstations, where orders are picked. Thanks to its modular design, FlashPick can be adapted to different business models and volume requirements.
The centerpiece of the new warehouse at OVS in Pontenure is a six-aisle shuttle system, linked by the energy-efficient “KingDrive” conveyor technology with ergonomic
“PickCenter” picking stations. Carton erectors and closers automate packaging, while a material flow computer and the Warehouse Control System (WCS) from TGW Logistics control all processes. These systems are directly connected to the Warehouse Management System (WMS) from OVS.
Some FlashPick users at a glance
The FlashPick system from TGW Logistics is used by several well-known companies to optimize their intralogistics processes. Here are some notable users:
- Autodoc: The online retailer for car parts operates a highly automated distribution center in Cheb (Czech Republic) with a FlashPick system that can handle up to 50,000 orders daily.
- Picnic: The Dutch online supermarket uses FlashPick in its fully automated fulfillment center, which is divided into several temperature zones
- and features a shuttle warehouse with around 200,000 storage locations.
- Stichd: The fashion company belonging to the Puma Group operates a fulfillment center in Tilburg (Netherlands) with a FlashPick system that includes both manual and robot-assisted picking stations.
- expert SE: The electronics retailer has realized a logistics center with FlashPick in Langenhagen (Germany) to efficiently serve both stationary retail and e-commerce.
- Personalshop: The Austrian multichannel retailer for clothing and accessories has been using a FlashPick system since 2019, which has already been expanded due to strong growth.
- Fource: The Dutch specialist for auto spare parts operates a logistics center in Berkel en Rodenrijs with a FlashPick system that features over ten aisles and more than 180,000
