{"id":4307,"date":"2026-05-14T08:36:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T08:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/case-studies\/gabbiano-silo2-multi-order-picking\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T13:39:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T13:39:56","slug":"gabbiano-silo2-multi-order-picking","status":"publish","type":"case-study","link":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/case-studies\/gabbiano-silo2-multi-order-picking\/","title":{"rendered":"Gabbiano: SILO\u00b2 VLM for multi-order picking of consumer goods and medical devices"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n More orders, less travel: picking redefined\n <\/h2>\n \n

\n Gabbiano manages fast-moving consumer SKUs for personal care, home care and healthcare, supplied to large-scale retail distribution in Italy, France and Spain. A significant share of these products is classified as medical devices, including ready-made reading glasses, plasters and gauze, and requires controlled storage conditions and batch traceability.
\r\nAs the number of SKUs and served markets grew, traditional racking could no longer provide the required picking speed or the correct storage conditions for the most sensitive products. Gabbiano installed 2 SILO\u00b2 VLMs in the end-of-line area of its gravity-flow warehouse in Mantua. \n <\/p>\n <\/header>\n \n

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\n Industry\n <\/h3>\n \n

\n Distribution and Logistics\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n \n

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\n Product\n <\/h3>\n \n

\n SILO\u00b2\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n \n

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\n Key result \n <\/h3>\n \n

\n +42% picks per operator per hour\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n \n

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\n Key feature\n <\/h3>\n \n

\n Color Batch Picking enabling simultaneous fulfilment of up to 6 orders
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\n Gabbiano<\/span>: 5,500 SKUs, 13,500 retail outlets, no slack on service\n <\/h2>\n \n
\n The Gabbiano Group turns over around \u20ac80 million and distributes over 5,500 SKUs across six product lines (parapharmaceuticals and medical devices, toiletries, household goods, eyewear, party products and footwear care) to more than 13,500 organised and specialist retail points across Italy, France and Spain. A team of 100 internal staff and 220 field merchandisers keeps nationwide delivery within four days of order receipt.
\r\nThin margins make logistics efficiency non-negotiable. In a range that runs from sunglasses to tablecloth rolls, every inefficiency in the picking zone shows up directly on the bottom line. \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
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\n \"Gabbiano:\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n
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\n The logistical challenges\n <\/h2>\n \n
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At the Mantua hub, smaller replenishment SKUs including sunglasses, kids accessories, pet products, brushes and watches sat on traditional open shelving.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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The critical issues were clear:<\/p>\n

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  • 148 picks per hour, not enough to make low-margin SKUs profitable<\/li>\n
  • one order at a time, with long walks between shelving aisles<\/li>\n
  • open shelving unable to meet storage requirements for medical device SKUs, including pre-mounted reading glasses<\/li>\n
  • a growing SKU count with no room to expand picking capacity without adding more shelving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n
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    \n 2 SILO\u00b2 VLMs in the end-of-line area: 230 SKUs and medical devices protected within 10.57 m\u00b2\n <\/h2>\n \n
    \n The two SILO\u00b2 VLMs, each 7.3 metres high with two storage columns and two picking stations, are installed in the end-of-line area of a gravity-fed warehouse.
    Within just 10.57 m\u00b2, they manage 230 SKUs and process 1,000 to 1,200 packages per day. A single operator accesses the entire inventory from one workstation, without walking through aisles or moving between storage lanes.
    \r\nThe fully enclosed structure ensures the required storage conditions for products classified as medical devices, protecting them from dust, light and environmental factors.\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
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    \n \"Side-by-side\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n
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