DHL introduces digital twin technology to Tetra Pak warehouse in Singapore

DHL Supply Chain has introduced what it describes as an ‘integrated supply chain solution’ at Tetra Pak’s warehouse in Singapore.

It is, said DHL, its first smart warehouse in the Asia Pacific region to ‘deploy digital twin technology’, which involves using digital models to better understand and manage physical assets.

Tetra Pak is a multinational food processing and packing company. Its warehouse in Singapore is one of its largest.

Said Jerome Gillet, CEO, DHL Supply Chain Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines: “By jointly implementing a digital solution to support Tetra Pak’s warehousing and transport operations, this collaboration is a great example for smart warehouses of the future to deliver agile, cost-effective and scalable supply chain operations.”

Combining Internet of Things (IoT) technology with data analytics, DHL Supply Chain created what it says is a ‘smart warehouse solution’ for Tetra Pak by “bridging its physical warehouse with a unique virtual representation that monitors and simulates both the physical state and behaviour of warehouse assets in real time”.

Tetra Pak is thereby able to maintain continuous co-ordination of its operations to resolve issues as they occur, particularly those that involve safety and productivity.

Warehouse supervisors can use real-time operational data to make informed decisions to reduce congestion, improve resource planning and allocate workload.

Using IoT and proximity sensors installed on materials handling equipment (MHE) to improve spatial awareness, potential collision risks are being minimised. Controlled areas with restricted access are also monitored, with alerts given should a breach occur.

A DHL control tower monitors the flow of goods entering and leaving the warehouse, helping to ensure that goods are appropriately shelved within 30 minutes of receipt, and delivery-bound goods are ready for shipment within 95 minutes.

Plus, to reduce operational risks and improve safety, DHL Supply Chain has implemented a container storage management solution that minimises the need for employees to handle heavy containers.

Devraj Kumar, director, integrated logistics, South Asia, East Asia & Oceania for Tetra Pak, commented: “Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do at Tetra Pak.

“To keep the cogs of our operations turning seamlessly, it is vital that we have complementary warehousing and supply chain solutions that can meet the high demands of our customers.”

Kumar added that the successful implementation of this smart warehouse would “further enhance our productivity and maintain our high safety standards in our supply chain operations”.

DHL Supply Chain is investing heavily in state-of-the-art technologies that support more efficient warehouse operations.

In May, it announced that it was rolling out the latest smart glasses technology across its worldwide facilities.

DHL staff will use the second-generation of Glass Enterprise Edition smart glasses.

The glasses ‘virtually support’ the vision picking process in warehouses. According to DHL, “Augmented reality in the warehouse is driving a more accurate, productive and efficient picking process.”