Cooperativa La Giovane
The Customer
La Giovane is one of Italy’s leading cooperatives specializing in third-party logistics. Founded in 1973, it provides integrated goods receiving, storage, order preparation and shipping services, operating in highly specialized sectors including fashion and apparel, e-commerce, industry and glass.
With over 50 years of experience, La Giovane has developed a logistics model based on specialized expertise, organizational and technological innovation, and solutions tailored to customer requirements. Today, the company operates approximately 90,000 m² of warehouse space and recorded revenues of €47.9 million in 2024.
The partnership with Dalmine Logistic Solutions is built on a long-standing relationship, developed over the years through the design and supply of traditional logistics systems and now evolved towards a new generation of automation.
The Challenge
Growing volumes and the management of products from leading luxury brands created the need for La Giovane to modernize and automate its picking operations, increasing both efficiency and storage capacity.
The challenge was to move beyond the previous operating model based on order-picking trucks with picking at height, identifying a solution capable of efficiently managing inbound and outbound peaks occurring at different times.
Following an analysis of operational data and medium-term growth projections, the decision was made to develop a modular, flexible and scalable system based on the automated handling of plastic totes using AMR technology.
The Dalmine Logistic Solutions Solution
Dalmine Logistic Solutions developed a new automated warehouse covering approximately 2,500 m², designed for an overall capacity of 41,500 plastic totes and integrated with an AMR handling system.
The system uses two different types of Autonomous Mobile Robots: floor-level AMRs, which transport totes between inbound stations, the warehouse and picking stations, and AMRs dedicated to storage and retrieval, which handle the totes within the storage structure.
The interface between the two systems takes place via a grid positioned beneath the first storage level.
Floor-level AMRs feed the picking stations directly, where operators, guided by the WMS and Put-to-Light system, can simultaneously prepare up to 8 open orders.
The solution also makes it possible to organize specific picking sequences according to the requirements of subsequent order preparation and shipping operations.
The project numbers
41.500
plastic totes
2.500 m²
Total area
3/4 levels
of storage
Polyethylene plastic totes
Storage system
Transition 5.0 compliant
Warehouse Configuration
An Infrastructure Designed for Automation
The racking system was developed according to Dalmine Logistic Solutions standards specifically designed for high-precision automated systems.
The structure uses galvanized profiles engineered in compliance with current seismic regulations and metal shelf panels designed to accommodate the polyethylene totes.
The geometric precision of the structure and the integration between racking, AMRs and software are key factors in ensuring the reliability and operational continuity of the entire system.
Complete Load Unit Traceability
Each tote is uniquely identified by a barcode. During inbound operations, each product is digitally associated with its corresponding tote, recording both its code and the exact quantity stored inside.
During picking, the WMS generates the picking mission and guides the operator throughout the entire process. The Put-to-Light system then indicates the order box in which the picked items must be placed, reducing the risk of errors while increasing the speed and accuracy of operations.
End-to-End Automation
The supply was completed by integrating the equipment required for the subsequent order preparation stages, including taping and labelling systems, together with safety devices such as fencing and gates.
In this way, automation is not limited to storage operations but supports the product throughout the entire logistics process, from goods receiving through to preparation for shipping.
Energy Efficiency and Transition 5.0
One of the most significant aspects of the project is the reduction in energy consumption compared with the previous logistics configuration, which relied on order-picking trucks for picking at height.
The introduction of AMR technology and the new organization of material flows made it possible to develop a more energy-efficient operating model.
According to the information provided for the project, the improvement achieved enabled La Giovane to qualify for the incentive levels available under Italy’s Transition 5.0 Plan.
The Value of Partnership
The project represents an evolution of the partnership between La Giovane and Dalmine Logistic Solutions.
From a partner in the design and implementation of traditional storage systems, Dalmine Logistic Solutions has supported the customer in its transition towards automated logistics, bringing together flow analysis, structural design, automation and technology integration.
The result is an infrastructure designed not only to meet current requirements, but also to support the future development of La Giovane’s logistics operations through a modular and scalable solution.
Results
41,500 totes storage capacity
AMR automation of material handling flows
Complete traceability via barcode
WMS and Put-to-Light guided picking
Reduced energy consumption compared with the previous configuration
Modular and scalable architecture for future developments
Integrated automation of end-of-line operations
Seismic-resistant structures made from galvanized profiles
Logistics Process Flow
Gallery
