Industry
Aftermarket Automotive
9 SILO² VLMs for Alberto Dursi’s automotive spare parts logistics
- Automotive
- SILO²
- Spare parts MRO
Faster and more accurate picking: 250 urgent orders processed daily with zero errors
To support business growth and meet the expectations of increasingly demanding customers in the automotive aftermarket sector, Drusi installed 9 SILO² VLMs, increasing storage capacity, order fulfilment speed and traceability. The result: 100% of orders fulfilled every day, zero picking errors and 850 daily movements managed within just 200 sqm.
Product
SILO²
Key results
• 100% daily order fulfilment
• zero picking errors
• +50% storage capacity
• 30,000 SKUs in 200 sqm
Key features
SILO² pod of machines installation
18 picking/refilling stations managed by IRIDE
Integrated with Proger Vision
Alberto Drusi: high-turnover spare parts distribution
Founded in Naples in 1949 and now led by the fourth generation, Alberto Drusi specialises in the distribution of engine parts and components for the automotive aftermarket sector. With a catalogue of approximately 98,000 SKUs and branch offices in Naples, Bari and Bologna, the company ensures accurate, fast nationwide deliveries through three daily delivery windows supported by qualified technical consulting.
Every day, the company handles around 250 orders, many of them urgent. Most customers purchase single items exactly when needed and expect the parts to be delivered as quickly as possible.
Every day, the company handles around 250 orders, many of them urgent. Most customers purchase single items exactly when needed and expect the parts to be delivered as quickly as possible.
The logistical challenges
As the number of SKUs grew and customer expectations increased, warehouse operations became harder to manage efficiently.
In a fast-moving environment where urgent orders are the norm, even small picking errors or time lost locating items can lead to delays, returns and dissatisfied customers, affecting service levels, operating costs and delivery performance.
The main operational challenges included:
• traditional two-level shelving systems already operating at full capacity, with no room for a third level
• operators forced to walk through aisles and climb stairs while handling materials, increasing the risk of falls
• time-consuming visual searches and manual picking activities
• frequent picking errors leading to returns and customer complaints
• items often stored in the wrong location due to limited available space
9 SILO² VLMs in a pod of machines: 30,000 SKUs in 200 m²
Drusi ha installato 9 magazzini automatici verticali SILO² nello stabilimento di Casoria, disposti affiancati e contrapposti per formare un’isola di lavoro ad alta efficienza: gli operatori lavorano al centro, con i materiali che arrivano alle baie su entrambi i lati.
Each VLM, standing 7.2 metres high and approximately 7 metres wide, is configured with 3 storage columns and 2 picking/refilling stations equipped with IRIDE, the visual guidance system that directs operators to the exact item location and required quantity, eliminating manual searches.
Within a total footprint of just 200 m², the installation manages around 30,000 high-turnover small and medium-sized items, organised by supplier and product size. Every day, the system handles approximately 850 movements: 750 picks and 100 replenishment operations.
Each VLM, standing 7.2 metres high and approximately 7 metres wide, is configured with 3 storage columns and 2 picking/refilling stations equipped with IRIDE, the visual guidance system that directs operators to the exact item location and required quantity, eliminating manual searches.
Within a total footprint of just 200 m², the installation manages around 30,000 high-turnover small and medium-sized items, organised by supplier and product size. Every day, the system handles approximately 850 movements: 750 picks and 100 replenishment operations.
ICON-Vision integration for automatic order routing and real-time inventory visibility
Orders received through the B2B portal, by phone and at the sales counter are processed in Proger Vision and automatically transferred to ICAM’s ICON software. Any operator can retrieve the correct SKU simply by entering the item code on the control console PC: no manual searching and virtually no picking errors.
Continuous synchronisation between the two systems keeps inventory levels updated in real time, allowing order management staff to provide customers with accurate availability information without physically checking the warehouse.
Some trays are dedicated to fast-moving transit operations, temporarily storing items ready for immediate shipment or scheduled for later loading, while maintaining full traceability throughout the process.
Continuous synchronisation between the two systems keeps inventory levels updated in real time, allowing order management staff to provide customers with accurate availability information without physically checking the warehouse.
Some trays are dedicated to fast-moving transit operations, temporarily storing items ready for immediate shipment or scheduled for later loading, while maintaining full traceability throughout the process.
Key results
Organised, reliable and safer spare parts management
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100% orders fulfilled every day
Approximately 250 orders completed every day without delays or backlogs
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Zero picking errors
IRIDE guides every operator, eliminating mistakes and return handling costs
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+50% storage capacity
More SKUs managed in the same floor space compared to traditional shelving
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850 movements per day
750 picks and 100 restocking operations handled smoothly and with full traceability
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Improved operational safety
No more stairs or elevated walkways while handling materials
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Real-time inventory visibility
Vision/ICON integration for continuous, accurate stock control
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Better customer service
Faster order preparation and accurate product availability information at the counter
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Continuous inventory control without interrupting operations
Continuous inventory updates without operational downtime
Discover the Drusi project and explore further details of the solution
Thanks to the seamless integration between our management system and the SILO² warehouse software, we now have full visibility of every item that passes through our facility — even if only for a few hours. Above all, we fulfil every order correctly, without the return handling costs that used to come with preparation errors.
Explore the full case study
Discover the solution implemented at Drusi
SILO²: the Vertical Lift Module
With 2 to 7 storage columns, more than 120 tray size configurations and load capacities up to 1,000 kg/m², SILO² is ICAM’s VLM solution for storing small and medium-sized items, including heavy loads.
Explore SILO²
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