I was very fortunate to be invited by the Technical Specialist, Mr. Peter Bollen to come to the UNICEF Warehousing Facility in Copenhagen on the 9th of November 2018. Peter explained by phone that it is the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world and the most technological advanced, guaranteeing me that I have never seen such a facility in my life. Initially, I thought, yeah, yeah ... another boring visit to look at stacked boxes and forklifts scattering about within a warehouse. WOW - what a surprise, it is a FULLY automated warehousing and packaging system that went far beyond my expectations and truly beyond anything I had seen before.
Watching the robotic machines stack and package products onto pallets and then a conveyor system that knew when to stop and load a crate, was absolutely fascinating and mesmerising. After 5 minutes of watching trucks come and go, the robot stacking boxes on pallets and the automated conveyor belt systems working, Peter broke the silence and said "Interesting huh? It still impresses me every time I see it, but this is only the packaging area, now come and see our warehouse!". Then being led through another door and onto a platform, everything was dark. Peter explained "Robotic systems don't need lights, hang on one minute... ah, here it is" {click}. As the light came on, I was absolutely dumbstruck. Crates were stacked up to 8 stories high and the robotic hoists (one in each of the aisles) were constantly moving, either taking crates down for dispatch or putting crates up which arrived from the packaging area on the robotic conveyor system. Again, I just stood there watching in awe.
Peter explained that the facility was kept at a cool temperature below 20°C as some of the medical supplies need to be stored in a cool environment. Furthermore adding that the warehouse robot systems works throughout the night, placing items near the front of the warehouse that have used by dates coming close to expiry and those with longer term expiry dates being placed deeper into the warehouse. The first thing that came to my mind, I blurted out - "This must cost a fortune! Millions upon millions of dollars in stock and systems." Peter explained;
"We are very fortunate that the Danish government and its people built and supplied this
complex to UNICEF. Can you imagine the number of people we would need to manage all of
this, if we didn't have it automated? It's at work 24 hours a day, that would cost a fortune in
labour to maintain. Not to mention the possibility of human error. In our work, if the wrong
people get the wrong devices or medicines, they can die. Yes, it is expensive but it is necessary
to be as efficient as possible so that we can save lives".
I pondered this for a moment and came to the conclusion, "Yes, you are right - it is necessary and wise to invest in such systems". Flying back to Geneva, I thought about the UNICEF Christmas cards I purchased on-line a few years ago, thinking about the $20 I spent and that some of that money may have gone towards to this facility - it brought a smile to face. I've heard many people complain to me about the inefficiencies in the UN system, but if they saw this UNICEF medical warehousing facility there is no way that they could make such an assertion.
Watching the robotic machines stack and package products onto pallets and then a conveyor system that knew when to stop and load a crate, was absolutely fascinating and mesmerising. After 5 minutes of watching trucks come and go, the robot stacking boxes on pallets and the automated conveyor belt systems working, Peter broke the silence and said "Interesting huh? It still impresses me every time I see it, but this is only the packaging area, now come and see our warehouse!". Then being led through another door and onto a platform, everything was dark. Peter explained "Robotic systems don't need lights, hang on one minute... ah, here it is" {click}. As the light came on, I was absolutely dumbstruck. Crates were stacked up to 8 stories high and the robotic hoists (one in each of the aisles) were constantly moving, either taking crates down for dispatch or putting crates up which arrived from the packaging area on the robotic conveyor system. Again, I just stood there watching in awe.
Peter explained that the facility was kept at a cool temperature below 20°C as some of the medical supplies need to be stored in a cool environment. Furthermore adding that the warehouse robot systems works throughout the night, placing items near the front of the warehouse that have used by dates coming close to expiry and those with longer term expiry dates being placed deeper into the warehouse. The first thing that came to my mind, I blurted out - "This must cost a fortune! Millions upon millions of dollars in stock and systems." Peter explained;
"We are very fortunate that the Danish government and its people built and supplied this
complex to UNICEF. Can you imagine the number of people we would need to manage all of
this, if we didn't have it automated? It's at work 24 hours a day, that would cost a fortune in
labour to maintain. Not to mention the possibility of human error. In our work, if the wrong
people get the wrong devices or medicines, they can die. Yes, it is expensive but it is necessary
to be as efficient as possible so that we can save lives".
I pondered this for a moment and came to the conclusion, "Yes, you are right - it is necessary and wise to invest in such systems". Flying back to Geneva, I thought about the UNICEF Christmas cards I purchased on-line a few years ago, thinking about the $20 I spent and that some of that money may have gone towards to this facility - it brought a smile to face. I've heard many people complain to me about the inefficiencies in the UN system, but if they saw this UNICEF medical warehousing facility there is no way that they could make such an assertion.
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