Equans France, Sokoa's technology partner, deploys an innovative hierarchical robotization solution

Equans France, through its Equans Digital and Ineo entities, implements an automated palletizing solution to reduce logistical drudgery and optimize the environmental impact of transport.

Since March 2024, Sokoa, a French manufacturer of office seating established in Hendaye since 1971, has integrated a major technological advance into its logistics process: palletizing automated heterogeneous.

With 600 employees and consolidated sales of over 110 million euros, Sokoa is asserting its industrial dynamism. It has chosen an innovative robotic solution, designed and patented by Equans Digital, to solve a complex problem.

Sustainable architecture integrated into its environment

The robotized palletizing project led by Equans France is not just a technological feat: it addresses major human and environmental issues for Sokoa.

Sustainable architecture integrated into its environment

  • Since the arrival of the robot, it is no longer necessary for the 8 employees to handle between 15 and 20 tons of parcels every day.

  • Thanks to automation, 70% to 80% of parcels are handled by the robotic system, considerably reducing physical effort.

  • The rate of disputes related to packaging, palletization and transport has decreased, helping to preserve Sokoa's image with its customers.

The challenge of optimization and environmental impact

The project is part of a sustainable performance approach. In France, goods lorries carry an average of 30% empty, a figure that can climb much higher during restocking operations. Optimizing palletization makes it possible to :

  • Fluidify logistics activities and optimize storage space;
  • Reduce the number of trucks needed for transport, with a target of -10 to -15% by 2025;
  • Decrease carbon footprint and get closer to "Target Zero", by achieving significant savings in CO₂ emissions.

The "Tetris" of palletizing: an innovative response from Equans Digital

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

By combining their expertise, Equans Digital and Ineo teams deployed their multi-technical know-how by mobilizing local teams around several levers:

    1. An intelligent robotic solution

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

    2. An optimized palletization plan

    The algorithm generates a palletization plan which is transmitted to the robot, which then builds the pallet. A digital approach close to artificial intelligence, capable of meeting the challenge of logistical "Tetris".

    3. A turnkey, stand-alone solution

    thought out to be easily taken in hand by local teams, this solution allows rapid and autonomous interventions when needed, guaranteeing responsiveness and efficiency.

    Key facts and figures :

    This project was carried out by combining Equans Digital's innovative heterogeneous palletizing solution and Ineo's know-how,

    particularly in electricity, automation and local maintenance.

    7 months

    that's how long it took the robot to assemble 15,000 pallets, from over 80,000 packages.

    800 to 900

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

    10 to 15%

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

    .

    1.35 million

    have been invested in the project, including 40% funded by the France Relance plan.

    An exemplary achievement, greeted by the full satisfaction of Sokoa

    Nicolas Charrier, Plant and Production Manager, Sokoa.
    “ Just a few months after integrating the Equans Digital solution, initial feedback has been extremely promising, both from our customers and our employees. The innovation has led to a clear improvement not only in working conditions, but also in the quality of the final output! ”
    Nicolas Charrier Plant and Production Manager, Sokoa.
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    Case study

    Heterogeneous palletizing at SOKOA

    Illustration of Heterogeneous palletizing at SOKOA