Bathroom and sanitary products retailer Sanitairwinkel has commissioned a new AutoStore™ automated storage and retrieval system at its distribution center in Den Bosch, the Netherlands. Designed and implemented by warehouse integrator Syncore and integrated with the existing Webstock warehouse management system (WMS), the installation comprises seven robots, more than 9,000 storage bins, and two workstations. The system enables Sanitairwinkel to increase storage capacity within its existing warehouse footprint while improving order fulfillment efficiency and accuracy.
Operating under the Sawiday brand in Belgium and France, Sanitairwinkel fulfills customer orders across all three markets from its distribution center in Den Bosch.
As order volumes increase, limited warehouse space and ongoing labor shortages present growing operational challenges. The new AutoStore system addresses these constraints by making better use of available space, reducing manual handling, and minimizing the risk of picking errors. The investment also provides a scalable foundation to support future growth.
More than 75% reduction in storage space
The AutoStore installation accommodates more than 9,000 bins containing approximately 8,400 different SKUs.
Unlike conventional shelving systems, AutoStore stores bins in a compact grid without the need for aisles between storage locations. Individual bins can also be divided into smaller compartments to accommodate products of different sizes.
For Sanitairwinkel's parcel-shippable product range, this storage configuration has reduced the required storage space by more than 75%.
By increasing storage density within the existing facility, Sanitairwinkel can accommodate a larger inventory without immediately expanding its warehouse footprint.
Up to 175 picks per hour per workstation
Seven AutoStore robots retrieve inventory bins from the grid and deliver them to two workstations, where operators pick items directly from the presented bins.
This goods-to-person approach eliminates much of the walking associated with conventional order picking. Visual picking guidance also helps operators identify the correct products, supporting faster and more accurate order fulfillment.
Each workstation supports approximately 175 picks per hour during order fulfillment and around 125 picks per hour during replenishment.
By reducing travel distances, consolidating order presentation, and coordinating robot movements with workstation operations, Sanitairwinkel has achieved an approximately 60% increase in picking productivity per employee for parcel orders.
The automated process also reduces manual scanning and helps minimize picking errors. Each bin and compartment is individually tracked, providing continuous visibility into inventory locations.
Because inventory is stored in an enclosed system accessible only to the robots, the risk of stock discrepancies is reduced. The enclosed storage environment also protects products from dust and helps prevent damage or loss.
Integrated into existing warehouse operations
A key aspect of the project was ensuring that the new automation worked seamlessly with Sanitairwinkel's existing warehouse processes.
Syncore worked closely with Sanitairwinkel and WMS partner Webstock to integrate AutoStore with the warehouse's order management and fulfillment processes.
The installation supports inventory storage, replenishment, and customer order picking. It also helps sequence completed orders according to carrier requirements, contributing to a more structured outbound operation.
Mark van de Weijer, Head of Sales Benelux at Syncore, explains:
"With projects like this, we look beyond today's operational requirements and consider what the business will need in the future. Together with Sanitairwinkel, we have implemented an AutoStore solution that fits their warehouse processes, improves order fulfillment efficiency, and provides the flexibility to support further growth."
Built to scale with future demand
The current installation operates with seven robots and two workstations, but the system has been designed to accommodate future increases in throughput.
The configuration can be expanded to a maximum of 25 robots and five workstations, with a potential handling capacity of up to 725 bins per hour.
This scalability allows Sanitairwinkel to increase its processing capacity as order volumes grow, without immediately requiring additional warehouse space.
Sander Hanenbergh, Operations Director at Sanitairwinkel, comments:
"Sanitairwinkel is growing rapidly, and our conventional picking operation was approaching its limits in terms of space and capacity. With AutoStore, we can store our inventory more compactly and process orders faster. The system also gives us the flexibility to scale relatively easily as demand increases. This puts us in a stronger position to support future growth while continuing to provide our customers with fast and reliable service."
