The sorter project for Celio

Celio's logistics center in Amblainville was officially opened in April 2012. The Celio stores were previously supplied from three different logistics distribution centers. With the aim of increasing the logistics performance for store deliveries, three of the former Celio warehouses were brought together at one location. Dürkopp Fördertechnik (DFT), its parent company KNAPP as general contractor and the French company CMC were involved in the implementation of the project.

Project goals at a glance
- Reduction of logistics costs per item
- Increase picking performance to up to 15,000 items per hour
- Simplification of processes while simultaneously increasing process reliability
- Increase the proportion of goods delivered on time and in full
- Improved ergonomics and reduced noise levels at the workstations
- Increasing the competitiveness of the customer Celio

After just nine months of construction, not only were the targets set exceeded, but further successes were also visible. These included a significant increase in the service level, which indicates the percentage of goods delivered on time and in full, from 94% to 97%. In addition, the picking process was optimized and the inventory process was clearly simplified.

Start

Twelve years of sorting for store delivery

The current logistics center has seven hall areas, each with 6,000 m² of floor space. The split tray sorter from DFT with 688 outfeed units has been working together with an operating shuttle from KNAPP for twelve years.

The combination of these technologies enables particularly efficient retrieval, sorting and picking of products for Celio’s store deliveries.

The solution for flat goods with high sorting performance

If flat goods have to be sorted with high output, the split tray is the right solution.

The split tray consists of horizontally connected trays (transport trays) onto which the goods to be sorted are automatically or manually loaded. The items are identified by a barcode. At the target point, the tray opens and drops the single part into a container, a box, as with Celio, or alternatively onto a chute. This basic principle can be varied with different options.

Split Tray sorter for store delivery

The flaps open independently of each other so that two items on one tray (e.g. T-shirts) can be sorted to different targets. Large items (e.g. jeans) can be placed over the entire tray. The system recognizes this automatically and then opens both flaps at the target synchronously.

The special drive system of the split tray sorter allows almost any line configuration, including inclines and declines.

The efficient intralogistics process begins with pre-sorting

If all the goods in a carton are required to fulfill orders, they are transported directly from the pallet rack warehouse to the corresponding picking station.

If partial items are required, they are removed from SKU-clean storage cartons or storage containers at pre-picking stations and pre-sorted on the pick-up station into transport containers. These are then transported to the corresponding infeed station. The pre-picked cartons are then repacked into SKU-only storage containers, which are buffered again in the warehouse to fulfill future orders.

Manual loading directly onto the sorter

The goods are automatically scanned as they pass through. If the reading is incorrect, the goods are ejected at a designated target point so that they can be manually reworked and placed back on the sorter after being corrected.

The correctly scanned products are dropped at their targets into large shipping cartons for store delivery with extremely high accuracy. Shipping cartons that are recognized as full are automatically displayed and manually pushed onto the outfeed conveyor. From there, they are transported to the shipping sorter, which divides them into ten lanes according to region.

About Celio

Founded in 1978 by Marc and Laurent Grosman, the French company Celio, headquartered in Saint-Ouen, specializes in men's fashion. Celio operates over 1,200 stores in more than 40 countries worldwide with over 300 stores in France. The company offers a wide range of affordable and sustainable menswear, regardless of age and style. Since 2024, Celio has developed its women's line with the launch of the Be Camaïeu brand.

The Split Tray Sorter from DFT - efficient store delivery

Industrial sorting system with multiple metallic trays moving on a conveyor. The trays feature holes for sorting items. A red object is visible in one tray. The background shows machinery and factory equipment in a warehouse setting.

The Split Tray Sorter proves its worth every day in supplying over 800 shops by sorting flat-packed fashion items efficiently, quietly and error-free. The system shows its strength particularly in the peak season: with high sorting performance and minimal labour costs, Celio remains flexible and able to deliver. Ergonomic operation and simple integration into existing processes make the Split Tray the ideal choice for dynamic retail companies. This is how technology becomes a real competitive advantage.

👉 Learn more about the Split Tray Sorter now