Schneider Electric Showcases Digitization of Supply Chain with Evreux Distribution Centre

Nov 8, 2019

Schneider Electric has successfully digitized the entire supply chain of its Evreux international distribution center in Normandy, France. In order to address challenges brought about by new technologies, better serve its customers, and improve operational and energy efficiency, Schneider Electric has deployed its EcoStruxure solutions at the site – one of its largest European distribution centers.

Transformation of the Evreux distribution center is a key part of the company’s Tailored Sustainable Connected (TSC) 4.0 supply chain digitization strategy, which aims to improve the quality of logistics operations and responsiveness in order to personalize customer service and increase the efficiency of its logistics and warehousing operations. The Evreux Smart Distribution Center is one of the largest in Europe and covers around 463,000 square feet. Operating 24 hours, five days a week, the Normandy site dispatches 17,000 order lines a day to destinations across Europe.

The Evreux Smart Distribution Center is part of Schneider Electric’s global Smart Distribution Center program, devised to meet the needs and expectations of the digital economy by integrating innovative technologies, IT solutions, and data analytics into its existing logistics operations. As the world becomes more digitized, customers expect to be able to place their orders at any time and then track them in real-time. In this context, it was essential to digitize the Evreux site’s operations for end-to-end integration using solutions based on its EcoStruxure architecture.

An HQE-certified logistics center with improved energy performance

In addition to its digital transformation, the Evreux site is also undergoing a real energy transformation to enhance its performance while reducing its energy consumption. To achieve this, Schneider Electric has deployed its EcoStruxure Power and EcoStruxure Building solutions, cutting overall energy costs by 10% since 2017. Thanks to these EcoStruxure solutions, teams can now control air conditioning and variable speed drives remotely, as well as optimize vehicle loading time to avoid overloads. Overall, Schneider Electric’s goal was to find a solution to ensure that its energy bill reflects its actual consumption and, thus, reduce its carbon footprint.

The Normandy platform receives about 180 semi-trailers per day, counting nearly 4,500 pallets and 5,000 cardboard boxes. Schneider Electric moves further in reducing its environmental footprint by implementing two circular economy systems in the center, nearly 56% of the received boxes are recycled via local partnerships while the pallets are sent to neighboring Norman factories for reuse. Thanks to the “Loading factor” program, Schneider Electric also maximizes the boxes arrangement within each truck to reduce their number.

“In light of the current environmental context, it is essential for industry players to reduce their environmental footprint by managing their energy consumption. Therefore, logistics centers must address energy efficiency issues that go beyond their buildings, by implementing recycling and emission reduction initiatives. This is about meeting the expectations of our customers who are increasingly concerned with environmental.” says Marc Fromager, Vice President, Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric, France.

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