SIKO Koupelny, a leader in bathroom furnishings, required additional warehouse capacity at its headquarters in Čimelice, South Bohemia, to support growing demand and future expansion into international markets. The primary challenge was the need to store heavy materials such as tiles and pavers, which presented specific logistical and structural challenges. These materials required racking solutions that could handle extreme weight while optimizing vertical warehouse space.
Additionally, the construction site of the new 10,000-square-meter warehouse featured uneven terrain, necessitating careful preparation and expert calculations to ensure the building’s structural integrity could handle the planned loads. With a significant investment at stake and a strict timeline, SIKO Koupelny sought a trusted partner to deliver a storage solution that combined high capacity, safety, and efficiency.
Solution
SIKO Koupelny turned to its long-term partner, stow, for expertise in storage system design and implementation. Leveraging stow’s robust understanding of SIKO’s business requirements, this collaboration resulted in a state-of-the-art conventional pallet racking system designed to meet the unique demands of SIKO’s products and operations.
The project began with extensive planning, involving detailed analyses of product types, pallet dimensions, and weight distributions. stow provided expert guidance on structural needs, ensuring that the warehouse’s foundational design was capable of supporting up to 35 tons per racking column. The racking solution ultimately delivered storage for approximately 25,000 pallet positions, optimized for tiles and other heavy items.
Key Features of stow’s Solution:
- Customizable Racking Design: The racking system included up to 11 adjustable floors to accommodate varying pallet heights, ensuring the efficient use of vertical space. This feature was particularly critical for tiles, which are delivered on shorter-than-conventional pallets.
- High Load Capacity: Engineering expertise ensured the racks could support the exceptional weight of SIKO’s materials without compromising safety or performance.
- Collaborative Planning: stow worked closely with SIKO throughout the process, from logistics studies to construction oversight, ensuring the warehouse aligned with operational goals.
Thanks to stow’s calculations and technical support, we now have a warehouse that fully meets our needs,” said Pavel Hampejs, Supply Chain Director at SIKO Koupelny. “This included details like rack types, beam specifications, and floor load capacity, all of which were addressed during the planning and construction phases.
Partnership Highlights
SIKO Koupelny’s long-standing relationship with stow was instrumental in the project’s success. Over years of collaboration, stow has gained deep insights into SIKO’s operational requirements, allowing for streamlined communication and efficient problem-solving.
The price of racks is always competitive, but equally important is the compatibility and consistency of working with a single trusted supplier,” noted Štěpán Benda, Process Specialist at SIKO Koupelny. “stow has been our go-to partner for years, and this trust made them the clear choice for such a critical project.
Jiří Bařina, Logistic Solutions & Automation Specialist at stow, emphasized the importance of preparation in ensuring a smooth implementation. “It was a large-scale project, but our collaborative approach addressed even the smallest technical or logistical details. The result exceeded expectations.”
During the planning phase, SIKO Koupelny explored the option of an automatic high-rise pallet warehouse. However, a comparative study revealed that the diverse range of products and varying pallet dimensions used by SIKO’s suppliers made conventional pallet racking the more practical and cost-effective choice. The decision also factored in the significant investment required for an automated solution, which would not fully align with SIKO’s immediate operational needs.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, SIKO Koupelny is already planning additional warehouse expansions to accommodate its growth in European markets. The company is exploring options for a new facility in France, where its subsidiary has seen great success. Once again, SIKO has enlisted stow’s expertise to design an optimal racking solution tailored to the specific demands of the new market.
Our expansion strategy depends heavily on scalable and efficient warehouse solutions,” said Pavel Hampejs. “stow is proving to be an integral partner in helping us realize this vision.
Results
Through meticulous planning and seamless cooperation between SIKO Koupelny and stow, the new Čimelice warehouse now operates as a high-performance storage hub. The installation of robust, versatile racking systems has not only increased storage capacity but also enhanced operational efficiency and safety. With stow’s continued partnership, SIKO Koupelny is well-positioned to meet the demands of its expanding business, both locally and internationally.
Key Benefits Delivered by stow’s Racking Solutions:
- Improved storage efficiency with 25,000 pallet positions
- Enhanced safety and capacity for storing extremely heavy materials
- Cost-effective solution compared to alternative automated systems
- Scalable design to support future growth
By delivering tailored racking systems that align with SIKO’s specialized needs, stow reaffirms its commitment to providing reliable, high-quality storage solutions for enterprise-scale operations.