Utveckling av ny lagerdesign för ökad lagringskapacitet och hanteringseffektivitet : En fallstudie på SSAB i Oxelösund

Sammanfattning

SSAB in Oxelösund faces significant challenges with storage capacity connected to its transition to fossil-free steel production. This creates an urgent need for increased storage capacity in the Finished Goods Warehouse and the Central Warehouse, whose material flow already exceeds their current capacity, a situation further compounded by decades of gradual expansion without any fundamental restructuring of the layout. The purpose of this study is to analyse the current warehouse design at SSAB by evaluating work processes, warehouse equipment and warehouse layout, and to develop concrete improvement proposals that increase storage capacity and handling efficiency. The study is a case study with both qualitative and quantitative elements, conducted through a literature review, interviews, observations, a survey and quantitative data analysis. The current-state analysis shows that the existing space shortage causes problems across multiple areas. Due to unclear routines in the way of working, uncertainty arises regarding where to place goods when areas are full, which is resource-intensive and diverts time from ordinary operations. Furthermore, both the dunnage placed between pallets and the use of counterbalance forklifts impose limitations on stacking height per storage location, contributing the high occupancy rate across the warehouse. In addition, the quantitative analysis shows that several storage areas are underutilised, while others lack the capacity to accomodate all material directed there by SSAB’s warehouse management system. The central finding is therefore that the space shortage is primarily not caused by insufficient total storage area, but by incorrect dimensioning of storage zones relative to the actual material flow. The study results in recommendations across three areas. Within work processes, recommendations include introducing a standardised way of working and a systematised naming and numbering of storage zones. Within warehouse equipment investments in more robust racking and dunnage are proposed, along with an investigation into alternative forklift solutions. Within warehouse layout, three layout proposals are presented with different focus areas, including the elimination of redundant transport routes, correct dimensioning of storage areas and the enclosure of the Central Warehouse. For each recommendation, the impact on storage capacity and handling efficiency has been assessed alongside its feasibility. The overall recommendation is that SSAB should implement all measures within work processes and warehouse equipment, and invest in the layout alternative featuring an indoor warehouse, as this is assessed to have the greatest positive impact on both storage capacity and handling efficiency. The conclusion is that a sustainable warehouse design requires a well-balanced development of work processes, warehouse equipment and warehouse layout in combination, as the analysis has shown these to be closely interconnected. A well-designed warehouse creates the conditions for a structured and efficient way of working, as well as an facility dimensioned to meet future needs.