Over the last 30 years, warehouse equipment manufacturer stow has grown to become a leading international supplier of racking and storage solutions with three major production facilities throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In Australia, stow has grown quickly over the past couple of years, and now boasts a brand new facility in Melbourne’s industrial heartland of Truganina. This state-of-the-art head office includes an interactive multi-touch design screen for customers to come in, discuss and make changes to their project alongside the design team in real time, a fully integrated warehouse and consultation areas that allows stow to carry a higher stock level, therefore reducing potential lost lead time and unwanted costs through manufacturing.
Think global, act local
According to stow Australia’s managing director Paul Johnson, one of the many reasons stow has grown to become a global market leader is because of our support and distribution network, manufacturing facilities, capabilities, product standards and quality, and also our research and development. A major key point of difference for stow is its research and development for improved products and processes. he said.
The dual function of stow’s HQ
The head office in Belgium has two main functions – it acts both as a research and development hub and also as a manufacturing plant. With a team of engineers tasked in developing new storage solution products, stow says it invests heavily in product research, development and testing throughout its entire manufacturing process. This investment has also led to the introduction of automation in manufacturing. The in-house development team has led projects and product developments such as the stow Atlas Shuttle, the upgraded Atlas Shuttle II system and Silo rack construction, whilst any specific alterations required by customers are dealt with in-house and are not ‘retro-fitted’ modifications. This ensures a fully designed product that is custom-engineered for the application required.
Improving on the Product Design
Mr Johnson said stow’s Research and Development does not stop at just the product.
"High-level developments have been discovered throughout the product manufacturing process, including automation of production plants, faster and higher quality product processes, painting processes and much more. In global terms, these developments have added another level of market expectation while also lowering the overall cost to our customers."
"At the same time, by reducing the cost, stow has not only maintained product quality - it has enhanced that quality. Our product assurance regime has enabled us to exceed a range of manufacturing standards. The research and development team, along with the stow team based in Shanghai work closely with stow Australia to design suitable products that adhere to local requirements and standards. Mr Johnson said."
"For example, the design of the Atlas Shuttle II system to fit with Australian pallet dimensions was developed in co-operation between the team at stow Australia, Shanghai and Belgium."
"We have been in constant communication with our counterparts with feedback and alterations from our key Australian customers, Mr. Johnson said."
"This feedback has been taken onboard and has delivered a customised Australian pallet racking solution that is designed specifically for local Australian conditions."
stow's global manufacturing plants
stow has three production facilities worldwide (Belgium, Karviná the Czech Republic and Shanghai) that service all of stow’s global operations. stow has heavily invested in these production facilities in the form of automation, product control and assurance tests and techniques as well as in employee education.
Belgium manufacturing plant: 91,619m² - 100,000 tonnes+ processed per year
Part of stow’s global head office, the manufacturing plant in Belgium was the first production facility and has been servicing stow’s growth and ongoing development. Significant development, investment in automated machinery and increased footprint has allowed the Belgium plant to stay cost effective. A major area of investment in this production facility has been the introduction of automated production lines. This has introduced a massive saving to the overall cost of production, while also ensuring the highest product quality.
Karvina manufacturing plant: 4,811m²
stow’s facility in Karvina in the Czech Republic is used purely as a specialist manufacturing plant for products such as the stow Atlas Shuttle.
Shanghai manufacturing plant: 42,393m² - 24,000 tonnes+ processed per year
The Shanghai plant is one of the most sophisticated and high-tech production facilities in the pallet racking market.
The Shanghai facility boasts automated production systems (profiling, painting and welding) as well as in-house testing to ensure product quality and assurance. The manufacturing plant in Shanghai boasts a sheet work department, profiling, welding, beam, bracing and painting lines.
This investment in the layout of the production line was designed to optimise product manufacturing time and save cost to our customers, said Paul Johnson.
Keeping Australian warehouses safe and sound
Another example of this targeted product development for the Australian market is the commitment to warehouse safety through stow’s ‘Safety Yellow, The Brighter Choice’ program.
We worked closely with the Belgium-based research and development team, along with the production department, to ensure it was a seamless process to make this our default product said Mr Johnson.
stow’s Safety Yellow enhances the visibility of pallet racking in Australian warehouses, therefore making the environment safer not only for employees, but also simpler in the installation process and for stored products as well, he said.
Manufacturing and engineering standards
All of stow’s product range is engineered to the highest global manufacturing standards, and thus by default to Australian Standards. Product quality control is our highest concern - every product is tested before manufacturing using ‘Mother Coil’ testing and throughout the entire manufacturing process.
Before the product is shipped, another final quality check is completed that ensures our product is of the highest quality and ensures installation safety. Our manufacturing and engineering departments include dedicated product quality and assurance inspectors, which add another level of production quality and safety for consumers.
Through these communication channels, we ensure that all our storage products are designed and manufactured to Australian Standards, noted Mr Johnson.
The Impact on the Australian Market
Another key market advantage to this global approach to pallet racking is the installation design - stow's collaboration ensures the maximum storage space is achieved at the most economical price point. Due to the feedback from stow Australia’s customers, constant product development and modifications for the Australian marketplace are made.
This ensures the best, fully integrated and customised storage solution for Australian businesses at the most competitive prices, Mr Johnson said.