{"id":5301,"date":"2026-05-21T10:21:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/?post_type=case-study&p=5301"},"modified":"2026-06-23T08:30:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T08:30:07","slug":"ft-spa-silo2-distribution-construction-tools","status":"publish","type":"case-study","link":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/case-studies\/ft-spa-silo2-distribution-construction-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"FT SpA streamlines construction tool distribution with 4 SILO\u00b2 VLMs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n 400 orders a day, a complex mixed assortment, zero errors allowed \u2014 the warehouse needed a new logic entirely\n <\/h2>\n \n

\n FT SpA’s pickers were walking up to 6 km a day across three mezzanine levels of traditional shelving. Orders took 45 minutes each. Picking errors on complex mixed orders were a daily cost. Four SILO\u00b2 VLMs from ICAM, arranged as a pod of machines at the Lentigione di Brescello (RE) facility, changed all three. Order fulfilment dropped to 15 minutes. Picking errors fell 99%. Operators now work in 50 m\u00b2 \u2014 running 4 orders at once \u2014 without leaving their station. \n <\/p>\n <\/header>\n \n

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\n \n\n<\/svg> <\/div>\n \n
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\n Industry\n <\/h3>\n \n

\n Building and construction\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n \n

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

\n SILO\u00b2 4 VLMs in pod of machines\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n \n

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

\n \u201367% fulfilment time (45 to 15 min) \u00b7 \u201399% picking errors \u00b7 from 6 km to metres\/day \u00b7 1,700 references in 92 m\u00b2 \u00b7 400 orders\/day \u00b7 4 simultaneous orders\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n \n

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

\n 4 SILO\u00b2 in pairs facing each other, forming a pod of machines: operators handle the entire picking process in 50 m\u00b2, 4 orders simultaneously, barcode confirmation on every pick\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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\n FT SpA<\/span>: from a pioneering patent to national construction tool distribution\n <\/h2>\n \n
\n Founded in 1969, FT SpA is a national reference point for the B2B production and distribution of professional tools and construction safety equipment: hand tools \u2014 trowels, levels, floats \u2014 measuring instruments and personal and collective protection devices including helmets, safety barriers and fall arrest systems. The company serves specialist retailers and trade distributors across Italy from its 10,000 m\u00b2 facility in Lentigione di Brescello (RE), with a catalogue of around 2,500 active references.
\r\nAt seasonal peaks \u2014 spring and autumn, when building sites are in full swing \u2014 the warehouse handles up to 400 orders a day. That volume leaves no room for delays or mistakes. \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
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\n \"FT\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n The logistical challenges\n <\/h2>\n \n
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Small parts, loose items and compact products were spread across three mezzanine levels of traditional shelving. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Every order \u2014 typically mixing products of different types and sizes \u2014 meant movement across multiple levels. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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The pain points were measurable:<\/p>\n

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  • pickers covering up to 6 km a day between aisles, stairways and goods lifts<\/li>\n
  • 45 minutes average to fulfil a single order \u2014 unsustainable at 400 orders a day<\/li>\n
  • picking errors on complex mixed orders generating returns, rework and reputational damage<\/li>\n
  • paper-based lists, no traceability, reliance on individual operator memory<\/li>\n
  • three mezzanine levels inaccessible without stairs or a goods lift \u2014 ergonomic risk and injury exposure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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    \n 4 SILO\u00b2 in a pod of machines: 400 orders a day in 50 m\u00b2, 4 at a time\n <\/h2>\n \n
    \n Each SILO\u00b2 \u2014 3 storage columns, 90 trays (1,953 \u00d7 897 \u00d7 41 mm), 400 kg max tray capacity, 61.49 m\u00b3 of storage in 23.21 m\u00b2 \u2014 is paired with another, the two facing each other to form a compact pod of machines. Operators move in 50 m\u00b2 of total working area: no walking, no stairs, no level changes. Each SILO\u00b2 has 2 side-by-side IRIDE picking stations, for 8 stations running in parallel at 52 trays per station per hour.
    \r\nICON is integrated with the HORSA WMS already in use: orders arrive directly on the on-station terminal, ICON assigns picks across the SILO\u00b2 units based on availability and priority, IRIDE guides every operation with a digital dashboard and light beams. Each item is barcode-confirmed: full real-time traceability. Up to 4 orders simultaneously, 600 to 1,200 picks per day, 120 daily replenishment operations. The approximately 1,700 small-parts and loose construction product references sit across the 4 SILO\u00b2 units in 92 m\u00b2 combined. \n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
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    \n Key results
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    \n Less walking, fewer errors, more orders \u2014 same team size\n <\/p>\n <\/header>\n \n

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      \n \u201367% order fulfilment time\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n From 45 to 15 minutes per order\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

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      \n \u201399% picking errors\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n IRIDE and barcode confirmation eliminate errors on complex mixed orders\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

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      \n From 6 km to metres per day\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n The pod of machines removes all mezzanine traversals\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

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      \n 400 orders\/day handled\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n With 4 simultaneous orders at seasonal peaks\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

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      \n 1,700 references in 92 m\u00b2\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n From multiple mezzanine levels to one compact system\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n

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      \n Fully digital operations\n <\/h3>\n \n

      \n ICON-HORSA: digital pick lists, real-time traceability, zero paper\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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      \n I chose ICAM automated warehouses to streamline order fulfilment for FT’s small parts range because I found it the solution best aligned with our needs compared to the competition: the SILO\u00b2 units are not only more efficient and technologically advanced \u2014 they are also easier for operators to use.\n <\/p>\n\n