Coca-Cola Automates Warehouse Cleaning with Gausium Robotics

Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has taken a significant step forward in optimizing its operational efficiency by integrating Gausium's cleaning robots at its Knetzgau facility in Germany. This initiative not only aims to enhance the quality of cleanliness but also addresses the common industry challenges of rising cleaning costs and labor shortages.

The Challenge at the Knetzgau Facility

As one of the leading beverage manufacturers worldwide, CCEP ensures strict sanitary protocols throughout all its operations. The Knetzgau warehouse, which covers approximately 2,000 square meters, operates six shifts, twenty-four hours a day. However, the conventional manual cleaning methods faced several difficulties, including:

- High labor and cost demands for cleaning operations.
- Challenges in removing stubborn grease and tire marks.
- Safety risks arising from the coexistence of cleaning personnel and forklifts in the same environment.
- Inconsistent cleaning quality due to a lack of staff during night shifts and holidays.

To resolve these issues, CCEP sought an innovative solution that could maintain the required hygiene standards while also being efficient.

Solution Implementation

In collaboration with its authorized partner, mR Mobile Robots GmbH, CCEP implemented the following robots:

- Gausium Beetle: This compact, autonomous sweeping robot is designed to navigate narrow spaces and complex pathways easily.
- Gausium Scrubber 75: A large area floor cleaning robot with a cleaning width of 750 mm, perfect for effectively managing vast warehouse spaces.

These robots operate autonomously during non-operational hours, ensuring that cleaning processes do not disrupt logistics operations.

Benefits of Automation

The introduction of Gausium's robotics has led to several notable improvements, including:

- A consistently high-standard of cleaning quality.
- Allowing employees to focus more on core business activities by delegating cleaning tasks to robots.
- Reduction of labor shortages and subsequent cleaning costs.
- Promoting sustainable logistics operations.

A notable testimonial from Christoph Kober, a Junior Logistics Specialist at CCEP, highlights the platforms' effectiveness: “Because the robots operate automatically during weekends and off-hours, we can consistently maintain a high level of cleanliness. The ease of installation and excellent cleaning performance of these machines are particularly impressive.”

Advancements in Gausium's Technology

Gausium continues to introduce advanced solutions for warehouse cleaning. Some of the latest products not only enhance the cleaning process but also tackle the various challenges faced in warehouse operations:

- Omnie x Beetle 2.0 Coordination System: This system integrates indoor cleaning robots Omnie and outdoor sweeping robots Beetle 2.0, allowing real-time sharing of map and area information. This seamless cleaning experience maximizes operational efficiency.
- New Products Mira / Marvel: These are integrated sweeping and washing robots designed for warehouses, noted for their high maneuverability and powerful cleaning capabilities.

- Mira: Suited for medium-sized warehouses and high-density rack facilities, managing narrow aisles effortlessly.
- Marvel: Ideal for large warehouses, capable of simultaneous sweeping and washing, delivering a cleaning efficiency that is three times that of manual processes by applying significant brush pressure to tackle oil stains and tire marks effectively.

Addressing Core Warehouse Challenges

Gausium’s solutions have been designed to effectively address major warehouse concerns:

- Stubborn grease can now be efficiently managed with Marvel's cleaning capabilities.
- Safety in environments where operators and machines coexist is reinforced via advanced 360-degree sensing technology.
- Permanent solutions for overnight operations and labor shortages are achievable through 24/7 autonomous operation.

Company Background

mR Mobile Robots GmbH serves as Germany’s leading provider of autonomous robotic solutions, specializing in service robotics and intralogistics automation. Their efforts cater to diverse automation needs in the industrial landscape.

Gausium has emerged as a global leader in autonomous cleaning solutions powered by AI, having deployed its systems in over 70 countries with more than 6,500 customers, fostering the smart evolution of cleaning and service industries.