{"id":5060,"date":"2026-05-20T08:20:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T08:20:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/?post_type=case-study&p=5060"},"modified":"2026-05-29T12:45:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T12:45:56","slug":"gea-farm-technologies-silo2-distribution-of-livestock-equipment-parts","status":"publish","type":"case-study","link":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/case-studies\/gea-farm-technologies-silo2-distribution-of-livestock-equipment-parts\/","title":{"rendered":"GEA Farm Technologies: 2 SILO\u00b2 VLMs for livestock spare parts distribution"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n \n
\n
\n
\n

\n Speed and precision in spare parts: where every minute of delay is a cost to the customer\n <\/h2>\n \n

\n To manage volume growth and improve speed and accuracy in spare parts distribution, GEA Farm Technologies installed 2 SILO\u00b2 multi-column automated vertical storage systems, fully integrated with SAP, at its site in B\u00f6nen, Germany.\n <\/p>\n <\/header>\n \n

\n
\n \n
\n
\n \n\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
\n

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

\n Mechanical engineering and metalworking\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n \n

\n
\n \n\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
\n

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

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

\n
\n \n\n\n<\/g>\n\n\n\n<\/clipPath>\n<\/defs>\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
\n

\n Key results \n <\/h3>\n \n

\n \u00b7 reduced picking errors
\r\n\u00b7 significantly shorter order preparation times
\r\n\u00b7 full flow traceability\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n \n

\n
\n \n\n\n<\/g>\n\n\n\n<\/clipPath>\n<\/defs>\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
\n

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

\n – Batch picking with Laser Pointer guided sorting during the picking process
\r\n– LED bar put-to-light system for sorting
\r\n– ICON and SAP integration\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n

\n \n
\n
\n
\n \n

\n GEA Farm Technologies<\/span>: livestock automation technologies on a global scale\n <\/h2>\n \n
\n GEA Farm Technologies is part of GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, one of the world\u2019s leading suppliers of process technology for the food, energy, agricultural and livestock industries. The manufacturing and logistics site in B\u00f6nen, Germany, is the operating center for spare parts distribution: automated milking systems, cooling and storage systems, automated feeding and manure management. A broad and constantly growing catalog, distributed in over 60 countries.
Steady growth in global sales volumes made it necessary to rethink storage and picking operations in depth, with the goal of increasing storage capacity, reducing order fulfillment times and improving service levels for end customers. \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
\n
\n \"GEA\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n
\n \n \n
\n
\n
\n

\n The logistical challenges\n <\/h2>\n \n
\n

Before automation, small spare parts were managed on traditional double-sided metal shelving, with manual \u201coperator-to-goods\u201d picking and orders processed through SAP.<\/p>\n

 
\nThe main critical issues were:<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n
    \n
  • high average order preparation times, due to slow procedures based on manual reading of pick lists and physical search for storage locations<\/li>\n
  • a significant rate of picking errors, with direct impact on operating costs and customer satisfaction<\/li>\n
  • inefficient use of available storage volume: horizontal storage did not take advantage of the warehouse\u2019s 13 m usable height<\/li>\n
  • no traceability on internal picking and refilling flows<\/li>\n
  • need to increase storage capacity without expanding the storage footprint<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n \n
    \n
    \n
    \n \n

    \n 2 multi-column SILO\u00b2 systems with VdS and FM Global certified fire protection integration\n <\/h2>\n \n
    \n ICAM installed 2 SILO\u00b2 multi-column Vertical Lift Module, each with 2 storage columns and 2 side-by-side picking and refilling stations.
    \r\nEach system has a 16 m\u00b2 footprint and stands 12 m high, providing total capacity for 1,920 SKUs in just 24 m\u00b2. Each SILO\u00b2 is equipped with an integrated Minimax fire protection system, tested and certified by VdS and FM Global: a structural safety requirement for a warehouse operating 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \n \"2\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n
    \n \n
    \n
    \n
    \n \n

    \n Batch picking with Laser Pointer, put-to-light sorting and SAP integration\n <\/h2>\n \n
    \n Picking is performed in batch mode with sorting during the picking process. The Laser Pointer, mounted on each SILO\u00b2 VLM, guides the operator to the exact tray compartment to pick from: the operator confirms via touch screen and barcode reader.
    \r\nSorting takes place at the workstation in front of the VLM, where LED bar put-to-light indicators show the destination container and the quantity to deposit. ICON software, integrated with SAP, optimizes warehouse allocations and coordinates batch picking tasks, minimizing waiting times between consecutive operations thanks to the multi-station configuration. \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \n \"Batch\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n
    \n \n
    \n
    \n
    \n

    \n Key results
    \r\n\n <\/h2>\n \n

    \n Faster, more accurate and fully traceable spare parts management\n <\/p>\n <\/header>\n \n

    \n
      \n \n
    • \n
      \n \n\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
      \n

      \n 1,800 picks\/day\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n Full volume managed by the 2 SILO\u00b2 VLMs, with a continuous, traceable flow\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

    • \n
      \n \n\n\n\n<\/g>\n\n\n\n<\/clipPath>\n<\/defs>\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
      \n

      \n 1,920 references in 24 m\u00b2\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n High-density vertical storage: the same capacity that previously required extensive shelving now occupies a minimal footprint\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

    • \n
      \n \n\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
      \n

      \n Significant reduction in picking errors\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n The Laser Pointer guides every operation with pinpoint accuracy: operators act only where the system indicates\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

    • \n
      \n \n\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
      \n

      \n Reduced order preparation times\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n Manual pick-list reading, location search and material verification eliminated from the picking process\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

    • \n
      \n \n\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
      \n

      \n Ergonomics improved\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n Picking and refilling stations at 75 cm floor height: no lifting, no reaching into high shelving\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

    • \n
      \n \n\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
      \n

      \n Full flow traceability\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n Every pick and deposit coordinated and recorded via SAP\u2013ICAM software integration\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n

      \n
      \n \n \n \n \"\"\n <\/button>\n\n <\/figure>\n \n \n \"\"\n <\/button>\n\n <\/figure>\n \n \n \"\"\n <\/button>\n\n <\/figure>\n \n \n \"\"\n <\/button>\n\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
      \n \n
      \n
      \n
      \n

      \n Discover the solution chosen by GEA Farm Technologies\n <\/h2>\n \n <\/header>\n \n
      \n \n
      \n
      \n \"SILO\u00b2\n <\/div>\n \n
      \n

      \n SILO\u00b2: the Vertical Lift Module\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n With 2 to 7 storage columns, over 120 tray size configurations and specific tray load bearing capacity up to 1,000 kg\/m\u00b2, SILO\u00b2 is ICAM\u2019s answer for companies managing small and medium-sized items, even those with a very high specific weight.\n <\/p>\n \n \n Explore SILO\u00b2<\/span>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n
      \n \n
      \n \n \n \n

      \n
      \n

      \n Want to achieve the same results?\n <\/h2>\n \n
      \n

      Every distribution hub has its own SKU mix, volumes and seasonal peaks.
      Tell us about your setup and we will design the right solution for you.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

      \n \n Contact us<\/span>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      GEA Farm Technologies installs 2 multi-column SILO\u00b2 vertical lift modules at its B\u00f6nen (Germany) site: 1,920 references managed in 24 m\u00b2, 1,800 picks per day, batch picking with Laser Pointer and SAP integration for livestock machinery spare parts distribution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5063,"template":"","settori":[139],"prodotti":[78],"tipi_di_merce":[50,60],"class_list":["post-5060","case-study","type-case-study","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","settori-mechanical-and-metallurgic","prodotti-silo-2","tipi_di_merce-accessosries-and-components","tipi_di_merce-spare-parts-mro"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case-study\/5060","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case-study"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/case-study"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case-study\/5060\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6984,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case-study\/5060\/revisions\/6984"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5060"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"settori","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/settori?post=5060"},{"taxonomy":"prodotti","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/prodotti?post=5060"},{"taxonomy":"tipi_di_merce","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tipi_di_merce?post=5060"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}