STORACT has a very serious future, an article in Mashinostroene magazine

STORACT has a very serious future

 

Interview in Mashinostroene magazine with Nadejda Blagoeva, chief engineer of the company STORACT.

STORACT LOG is an engineering company that has specialized in the design, engineering and trade of Automated and mechanized Storage Solution Systems and Warehouse Management Software. As part of StoractGroup, STORACT LOG is offering its products on the territory of the Balkan Peninsula, covering the markets of Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Serbia and Macedonia. Our main products are:

• Different o type of Automated Storage systems for boxes and for pallets including racks, stacker cranes, conveyers and management system
• Vertical Automated Storage and Retrieval System for  office and industrial applications         
• Dynamic roll Systems for pallets and boxes, all kinds of roll and belt conveyers and automated sorter systems
• Mobile racking systems for pallets and long material
• Palletizers and robocars
• Warehouse management software

STORACT BG is a Bulgarian market leader in storage and warehouse equipment. The company specializes in the design, supply and installation of storage systems for every type of warehouse facilities. 
We know that the selection of the right equipment is crucial for the effective and safe operation of any storage area. STORACT BG has highly qualified specialists who, after a detailed study of the characteristics of the store, are able to offer optimazed custom solutions for racks that are completely tailored to the specific needs and requirements of the customer. Each project is prepared in accordance with standards and requirements of FEM and EN. As the exclusive representative of Mecalux on the Balkan Peninsula, BG STORACT offers 14 types of storage systems and equipment. We have offices in Sofia, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Sliven and Varna.


What are your positions on the market?
If we trust the statistics, we are the market leader in the Balkans. In Bulgaria, we serve about 70% of key customers. In our reference list present mainly large firms, which speaks well for us. Companies in need of storage, try to buy quality storage systems, equipment or software. We updated our pricing policy and we stand  well on the market with low prices and good quality. Not to mention that when it comes to - major projects MECALUX shortens the time for execution of orders and complying with the instantaneous prices of metals can offer additional discounts.

You have the idea to open a branch in Turkey, what is the situation now?
Considering the market situation,we are very careful in each investment - so we have not still started the project. In this connection I want to say that MECALUX won one of the largest construction projects in Turkey for automated warehouse for 100,000  pallets for the company HAYAT HOLDING. And we have very strong position there, as the exclusive representative of MECALUX for the region.
What products and services do you offer to your customers?
Our company offers design, delivery and installation, after sales service. All these activities provide a compact relationship with our customers. We are close to them by adjusting the preliminary design to after-sales service. Bulgaria's territory is not such a big country and can reach any point not more than 24 hours if needed urgent change of the project. The company team is carefully selected from the best professionals and clients remain satisfied. To be objective must take into account the fact that there is always dissatisfied with our work - this is about 2% of our clients. This is established through a questionnaire which they completed for standard ISO 9001:2008, we are certified.
Tell us about significant and interesting projects that you receive recently?
We are currently developing many interesting projects. Now at the end of the year we started to get interesting things. In early 2010 we completed small projects or if they were bigger, they were in the area of ​​the conventional storage systems – METRO, access to each pallet. What I can say is that we signed a contract with a degree for realizing a project for mobile bases (that is, storage systems, which posts concreted into the floor rails which run the system and saves the necessity of multiple working). A similar project was carried out by our company two years ago as a warehouse for frozen goods. Work is easier when the client is aware of the big advantages of the system and is willing to pay its price. The client knows that when something is automated it is more expensive than static systems, but it pays back relatively quickly.
Would you tell us about developments in automation of the warehouse, such as the introduction of voice commands?
Devices that operate a similar system is already produced in China. Owners of stores in the country are not willing to put money into such a relatively expensive system without thinking that the investment for two years will return. They now rely on cheap labor costs, but it will not last long.
MECALUX now offers a new machine that moves on rails mounted in the floor and ceiling of the warehouse, it enters the hallway and subtract proper puppy flawlessly and safely, because the system is controlled by software. The width of the business corridor of the facility is 1.80 m ie completely replaces processing machines, which are expensive and are managed by people, leading to additional costs. It is not necessary to the building was built by us, the machine can be installed in an existing warehouse.
Another interesting product that offers MECALUX is called Radio Shuttle System. "Tunnels" are usually narrow and dangerous for conventional machine operator, especially if they are higher than three meters. With the rails are placed along the "tunnel" and enter shopping cart remove pallet at the beginning of the corridor. This leads to the promptness, quality and safety.
My personal opinion is that there can be a producer or investor to manage its warehouse without the specialized software. Money in the management of stocks returned relatively quickly and repeatedly. Previously these products were expensive but now, every day they become available and cheaper for ever - a wide range of users. Most - valuable properties that give real time information about inventory in a warehouse without requiring unnecessary effort and with minimal error. Software is usually integrated into the ERP system of the enterprise. STORACT LOG offers such a product. Last year we completed several interesting projects with him - in companies: auto parts, mattresses, distribution, etc. .. Software gives an additional value of storage equipment with its implementation work in a warehouse can be improved (optimized) to 50%. It can significantly reduce workers needed for its service, which is particularly relevant now in a crisis.
What are your big projects?
One of our major projects remains warehouse of BELLA Bulgaria. It is not high volumes - 15,000 pallets. Such a project we are storehouses of KAVEN - ORBICO - 20 000 pallets with conventional storage system. The uniqueness of the warehouse of Bella Bulgaria is that it is fully automated and it is for temperature - 20 ° C. If this store had to be served by people that would create serious problems. This is the best facility construction in Bulgaria in the last 20 years. The existence of such facility provides major competitive advantages of its owner. The company now uses it not only for their own needs, but partly renting it and thus expands the scope of activity. Currently in Bulgaria is an appropriate and beneficial to invest in warehouses operating in below zero temperatures.
How does the financial crisis affect your company and the sector as a whole?
 I think the financial crisis has affected all of us in one way or another. When companies contract their production, they reduce not only their investment in new stores, but also in other equipment. So the crisis inevitably affects our business.
What measures are taken to deal with the crisis?
Taking action is associated with - good customer service. In a crisis you can not raise your hands and say: I will stop working until the crisis passes, on the contrary– you work harder and offer quality products and services if you want to survive on the market. 

How do you see the future of the company?

Our company has a very serious future. Of this I am convinced. We have 12 years on the market and the projects and systems we have built work flawlessly. The future is high-tech products. More and more companies, even - small will begin to deploy them.