Winterthur / Goldach, 2025 – With an impressively fast retrofit, Fehr Lagerlogistik has completely modernized and automated the existing stürmsfs AG warehouse in Goldach. Within just three weeks, the system was updated – including new controls, robotics for saw feeding and optimization of storage processes. The result: a highly efficient, almost continuously automated material flow with minimal manual intervention.
Initial situation: time-consuming, error-prone and sometimes dangerous
stürmsfs AG, the leading Swiss supplier of steel, metal and alternative materials, was faced with the challenge of efficiently storing and making available long gods for production. Previous processes were time-consuming, error-prone and sometimes dangerous: material was transported manually, saws from different manufacturers had to be monitored individually and cutting times had to be taken into account manually.
Objective:
Automated loading of the sawing lines, optimization of the material flow, safeguarding of product quality and reduction of manual activities – without major interruptions to the ongoing operation.
Two-step modernization
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1. New construction Fehr Honeycomb warehouse
- 3,700 cassette locations
- Integration of a saw center
- Fully automated warehouse management
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2. Retrofit of the existing honeycomb warehouse
- Extension to 5,566 storage places
- Installation of automatic separation
- Robotic picking systems for direct feeding of the saw lines
- Higher system availability (>98%) with minimal manual intervention
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Result:
The combination of new build, retrofit and robot-supported automation ensures efficient, seamless material flows, reduces empty runs and minimizes downtimes.
The new system has completely changed the way we work. From automatic storage to material removal and loading of the saw lines – everything runs efficiently and reliably today, and the quality of our products remains constantly high.
Domingo Messerli, CEO and delegate of the Board of Directors at stürmsfs.
Retrofit in record time – minimum downtime
Particularly remarkable: the retrofit was realized in only three weeks over the Christmas holidays. During the modernization, operations continued almost uninterrupted. The existing shelf operating device has been replaced, the control and periphery have been updated and the saw lines have been automatically loaded with the help of robots.
Full control and precision thanks to Fehr WMS
All processes are controlled via the Fehr WMS, which is directly connected to the central ERP system.
- Automated storage and retrieval
- Optimization of remnants and cut orders via the Opticut software
- Seamless connection of different saws
- Real-time transparency for employees and sales
Result:
Orders can thus be automatically scheduled, picked and ready for shipment, while the quality of the material remains constantly high.
The modernized long goods warehouse at stürmsfs
- 3,800 storage places for materials up to 3 tons per storage unit
- Robots automatically operate several saw lines
- Reduced manual work and relief for employees
- Continuous 24/7 production with high process reliability
- Optimized energy efficiency through modern drives and recuperation
The result:
The combination of honeycomb bearing, robotics and Fehr WMS ensures fast processes, lower personnel costs and higher reliability – a prime example of smart retrofit solutions.
The fact that we were able to modernize the system in just three weeks and have maintained the current operation almost continuously is an impressive success
Domingo Messerli, CEO stürmsfs AG
