Equans France, a technology partner of Sokoa, is deploying an innovative hierarchical robotics solution

Through its subsidiaries Equans Digital and Ineo, Equans France is implementing an automated palletizing solution to reduce the physical strain associated with logistics and minimize the environmental impact of transportation

Since March 2024, Sokoa, a French manufacturer of office chairs based in Hendaye since 1971, has incorporated a major technological advancement into its logistics process: automated heterogeneous palletizing . 

With 600 employees and consolidated revenue exceeding 110 million euros, Sokoa is demonstrating its industrial dynamism. It has chosen an innovative robotic solution, designed and patented by Equans Digital, to address a complex challenge.

Sustainable architecture that blends into its surroundings

The robotic palletizing project led by Equans France is more than just a technological feat: it addresses major human and environmental challenges for Sokoa.

Sustainable architecture that blends into its surroundings

  • Since the robot was installed, the 8 employees no longer have to handle between 15 and 20 metric tons of packages every day. 

  • Thanks to automation, 70 to 80% of the packages are handled by the robotic system, significantly reducing physical exertion.

  • The rate of disputes related to packaging, palletizing, and transportation has decreased, helping to preserve Sokoa’s reputation among its customers.

A Challenge in Optimization and Environmental Impact

The project is part of a strategy for sustainable performance. In France, freight trucks travel with an average of 30% empty space, a figure that can rise significantly during restocking operations. Optimizing palletization allows for:

  • Streamline logistics operations and optimize storage space;
  • Reduce the number of trucks needed for transport, with a target of a 10–15% reduction by 2025;
  • Reduce the carbon footprint and move closer to “Goal Zero” by achieving significant reductions in CO₂ emissions.

The “Tetris” of Palletizing: An Innovative Solution from Equans Digital

Equans France, partenaire technologique de Sokoa, déploie une solution de robotisation hiérarchique innovante

By combining their expertise, the teams at Equans Digital and Ineo have applied their multi-technical know-how by mobilizing local teams around several key areas:

    1. An Intelligent Robotic Solution

    The development of a robotic system incorporating an algorithm capable of replacing manual palletizing. Based on specific business rules (package orientation, weight, fragility, pallet dimensions, maximum height), the algorithm calculates the best possible layout.

    2. An optimized palletizing plan

    The algorithm generates a palletizing plan that is sent to the robot, which then builds the pallet. This digital approach, which is similar to artificial intelligence, is capable of tackling the challenge of “logistics Tetris.”

    3. A turnkey, standalone solution

    Designed to be easily adopted by local teams, this solution enables rapid, independent action when needed, ensuring responsiveness and efficiency.

    Project Statistics and Key Points:

    This project was carried out by combining Equans Digital’s innovative heterogeneous palletizing solution with Ineo’s expertise,

    particularly in electrical systems, automation, and on-site maintenance.

    7 months

    That’s how long it took the robot to assemble 15,000 pallets from more than 80,000 packages.

    800 to 900

    packages are processed every day, with 70 to 80% automation thanks to the hierarchical palletizer.

    10 to 15%

    An optimization that reduces 10 to 15% the number of trucks needed for transport

    1.35 million

    euros were invested in the project, of which 40% was funded by the France Relance plan.

    An exemplary achievement, met with Sokoa's full satisfaction

    “ Just a few months after implementing the Equans Digital solution, the initial feedback has been very promising, both from our customers and our employees. This innovation has led to a significant improvement in working conditions as well as in the quality of the final product! ”
    Nicolas Charrier Plant and Production Manager at Sokoa.
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