As part of its expansion strategy, Yandex Market is planning to build several new regional B2C fulfilment centres in Russia. The task of this project was to design a suitable intralogistics system for the regional distribution centres. This forms the basis for the subsequent invitation to tender for the warehouse and automation technology.

At the start of the project, the intralogistics requirements for the new B2C DC were comprehensively recorded and specified. In addition to data about the order structure, article spectrum, conveying and sorting capability, returns and cross docking share, the quantity and process requirements for all relevant material flows from goods receipt, storage, picking, consolidation, and packaging to shipping were recorded in detail.

Based on the generated requirement specification, suitable alternatives of an intralogistics system for efficient e-commerce fulfilment were then derived. Considering all relevant processes and material flows as well as a suitable degree of automation for the regional distribution centres, the storage, conveyor and sortation technology were selected. These were then dimensioned according to the previously defined load and integrated into an overall technical concept.

The intralogistical conception took place under the condition of feasibility in several expansion stages. Based on the selected technology, the various processes were defined, and the required number of workstations and personnel was determined according to the defined quantity structure. The resulting functional areas and material flows were visualised in the form of block layouts and material flow diagrams.

The alternative intralogistics solution concepts were evaluated based on various criteria such as conveyable and sortable range of articles, space requirements, ergonomics, scalability, complexity and risks. Together with the client, a preferred variant was then derived, which serves as the basis for the downstream tender for the intralogistics systems of the regional DC.