Capital Equipment News July 2016

APC Storage Solutions SA LAUNCHES ONE NEW AUTOMATED STORAGE SYSTEM ANNUALLY

A PC Storage Solutions SA, through its partnership with Mecalux, a leading global specialist design and man- ufacturer of storage and warehouse solu- tions, now launches one new automated warehouse storage system in South Africa each year. This is in addition to its consistent offering of the latest European trending warehouse and storage solutions to local companies, some of which have been developed spe- cifically for the African market based on input from APC Storage Solutions SA. The 16 year-long partnership has seen the local company install an average of 10 000 tonnes of storage systems each year. This equates to 150 000 tonnes in more than 5 000 projects across South and Southern Africa, that has contributed to APC Storage Solutions SA organic growth. Beginning with the head office in Johan- nesburg and installing quality small solid angle shelving, the company has opened three additional branches in South Africa’s main provinces that design, install and ser- vice comprehensive storage and automated storage solutions around the country. Additionally, APC Storage Solutions SA has undertaken a large number of conventional racking and shelving projects as well as semi-automated and automated installa- tions in Southern Africa, and continues to service countries in this region. Setting the benchmark As the first South African storage and ware- house solutions company to import techno- logically advanced European racking and shelving, APC Storage Solutions SA has set the benchmark in warehouse and storage system quality in South Africa. “Mecalux’s superior quality across its range and the current technology incorporated into its au- tomated solutions, gives customers a longer lasting warehouse solution that ultimately lowers the overall cost of storage owner- ship. This lower total cost of ownership effects savings across a company’s entire supply chain, that in turn improves our cus- tomers’ bottom-line over the long term,” says APC Storage Solutions SA Managing Director, Fred Albrecht. Shared IP and product development The shared intellectual property between manufacturer and distributor is significant.

After each installation, APC Storage Solutions SA conducts an in-depth project analysis and provides recommendations to Mecalux’s RD&I department. It now spends approximately €6 million (about R110 million) on research, development and innovation annually. Feedback from APC Storage Solutions SA is used by Mecalux to tailor products for the African environment and associated logistical storage systems. Albrecht says that this dual development process is in- dicative of the collaborative partnership and the trust shared between the two companies. “Our feedback has been incorporated into a number of storage solutions,” Albrecht states. “One example was the suggestion to innovate and introduce an electro-mag- netic system incorporated into our Pallet Shuttles – which attaches the Shuttle to a Forklifts fork – thereby facilitating an an- ti-fall protection system. The final product, the first of its kind, was rolled out on an international scale, which is testament to the innovation brought to market through our involvement.” Albrecht says that the Mecalux partner- ship grants additional value for custom- ers through technological advances and a market offering that exceeds anything available locally. He cites a turnkey project in the making: a 26 m high self-supporting warehouse in Lordsview, consisting of eight gangways (walkways), developed by APC Storage Solutions SA and manufactured by Mecalux. “This will be a true landmark for generations to follow and, again, it is a first of its kind in the world.” Business expansion “Our dedicated approach as the South African partner and brand ambassador of Mecalux, has positioned us as a significant Mecalux partner, which now also considers us part of its core team,” says Albrecht. “Since we began our partnership with Mecalux, it has multiplied its annual international turnover almost tenfold. It is gratifying that installations in South and Southern Africa, via APC Storage Solutions SA, are contributors to this growth.” He adds that, on the other side of the coin, no other South African warehouse and storage solutions provider has been able to meet

APC Storage Solutions SA’s Managing Director, Fred Albrecht, says that the Company has reached a stage where it now launches one new automated warehouse storage system in South Africa each year.

“Mecalux’s resources, combined with the deep-

APC Storage Solutions SA’s product quality and diversity, and its geographic support to customers. “Mecalux’s resources, combined with the deep-rooted relationship we have with them has enabled APC Storage Solutions SA to make the impossible possible when it comes to tailored, robust, efficient and cost-effective conventional, semi-automated and fully au- tomated storage and warehouse solutions,” Albrecht concludes. b rooted relationship we have with them has enabled APC Storage Solutions SA to make the impossible possible when it comes to tailored, robust, efficient and cost-effective conventional, semi-automated and fully automated storage and warehouse solutions.”

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