Autonomous robots were integrated at the end of Valeo’s production lines (Photo: Business Wire)
Valeo, a leader in automotive parts manufacturing, has optimised its dock operations by deploying autonomous loading robots.
Deploying the SlipBot solution, by Slip Robotics, has been credited with speeding truck loading and unloading times sixfold.
One of the most significant challenges France-based Valeo faced was streamlining its truck loading and unloading operations, a critical bottleneck that was consuming valuable time and resources.
Valeo’s journey began with a comprehensive supply chain analysis that revealed the dock was a major source of inefficiency.
The repetitive handling of parts between production and storage was leading to excessive time spent on loading and unloading trucks, slowing down their entire operation.
Faced with the challenge of increasing throughput without disrupting their existing processes, Valeo sought a solution that could integrate into their workflows.
Traditional methods involving forklifts and multiple product touches were proving inadequate for the demands of their growing operations.
Known for its autonomous loading robots designed to simplify truck loading/unloading, Slip Robotics provided a solution using 26 SlipBots at Valeo’s USA facilities.
These autonomous robots were integrated at the end of Valeo’s production lines, where they took over the task of transporting finished goods directly onto trailers, ready for shipment to offsite warehouses.
As a result, Valeo was able to reduce their truck loading and unloading times sixfold.
“It took us 30 minutes to load or unload a trailer with forklifts,” said Quinn Saevre, Supply Chain CIM Manager at Valeo.
"Now it’s five minutes. That increased throughput let's us do up to six trailer moves in the same amount of time and unlocks different material flows."
Additionally, with fewer product touches and less forklift traffic around the dock, Valeo’s operations became more streamlined and safer.
“Slip Robotics makes our lives easier and proves that automation doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s the real deal,” said Lou D’Allura, Productivity Manager at Valeo.
Slip Robotics also delivered on simplicity through their deployment & training process, which allows Valeo to start seeing returns on its investment within the first week of operation.
“SlipBots can deploy at any facility without the need for IT integrations, wi-fi, dock modifications, or trailer modifications; because of this we were able to deploy at Valeo in a matter of days,” said Mason Cole, Head of Sales at Slip Robotics.