Intralogistics in manufacturing

Technologies and operating models compared in the ceramic and manufacturing sectors: case histories and future perspectives

In a production environment increasingly focused on operational continuity, cost reduction, and technological integration, intralogistics is taking on a strategic role in both the ceramic and manufacturing industries. This conference will examine the evolution of internal material handling, flow management, and process automation through practical experiences, real-world case studies, and discussions among companies, technology providers, and operational experts.

Introduction by:

• Stefano Bianchi, Consultant AB Coplan

Flying Above the Supply Chain

Supply chain data highlights a steady increase in business volumes, reflecting an increasingly complex market. For years, the debate focused on whether to prioritize costs or service levels, eventually leading to the realization that both are essential. In recent years, unlike many other sectors, the ceramic industry has concentrated primarily on production automation, while intralogistics has lagged behind. Now is the time to bridge that gap.

The discussion features: 

• Michele Vezzola, Sales Manager Polytec

From Automation to Intelligent Fulfillment: The Evolution of Intralogistics in the Ceramic Industry

The evolution of the ceramic industry requires increasingly flexible, automated, and integrated logistics processes capable of responding to the growing variety of products, order customization, and the need for high service levels. Polytec develops turnkey systems that integrate robotics, automation, vision systems, Artificial Intelligence, AGVs, automated warehouses, and WMS solutions to optimize picking, handling, and management of large ceramic slabs. Through practical application case studies, the latest innovations will be presented, including multi-format depalletizing/unbundling systems with a universal tool, automatic strap removal through machine vision, direct integration with automated warehouses, picking and sorting from heterogeneous product sets, and the fully automated handling of large ceramic slabs.

• Matteo Grigolo, Branch Director & Sales Area Manager TecnoFerrari Group

From Ceramics to Multi-Industry: Advanced Intralogistics Solutions for Material Handling and Warehouse Management

Intralogistics is no longer just about material handling; it has become a strategic driver of competitiveness, capable of eliminating bottlenecks between production and shipping while ensuring operational continuity, efficiency, and flexibility. TecnoFerrari will demonstrate how the integration of next-generation hardware and software enables the development of intelligent automated warehouses, capable of accurately managing diverse production environments and heterogeneous materials. Through concrete application cases, the company will illustrate the value of a multi-industry approach that optimizes workflows and space utilization, reduces operating costs, and transforms the warehouse into a genuine competitive advantage.

• Marco Barozzi, Studio 1 Automazioni

The Evolution of Ceramic Intralogistics: RPS and DVW – Automation, Flexibility, and Artificial Intelligence for Order Management

The growing fragmentation of orders, the demand for maintaining product quality, and the increasing pressure on logistics costs call for more automated and adaptable solutions in the ceramic industry. Manufacturers and distributors must adapt to ever-changing formats, packaging, and shipping methods, all while upholding high service standards. By utilizing both historical and forecast data from individual customers, Studio 1 offers support through:

• RPS:  Robotic order-picking system that uses vision technology integrated with AI algorithms. It can be seamlessly integrated with existing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), allowing for the automated management of orders with multiple codes and formats on different palletized supports. This solution can either replace or complement traditional picking methods.
• DVW: Designed for intensive storage and preparation of mixed orders of ceramic slabs. This system allows for detailed control of each individual slab, ensuring high traceability and rapid availability of material for order preparation. Vertical storage is also ideal for preserving the integrity of high-value products, optimizing both warehouse capacity and the use of available space.

• SACMI Intralogistics

Breakthrough in Automatic Picking Solutions for the Ceramics Industry

The evolution of ceramic intralogistics is introducing a new paradigm in automated order preparation, based on the integration of intelligent AGVs, high-performance vertical sequencers, picking robots, and humanoid robots. The vertical sequencer enables the transformation of single-reference stacks of large-format slabs into continuous, organized flows directed to robotic picking cells, eliminating one of the industry's main bottlenecks. At the same time, autonomous guided vehicles dynamically supply buffers and storage systems according to operational priorities. The introduction of humanoid robotics further expands the possibilities for automated handling of die-cut products and highly variable mixed orders, tasks that have traditionally relied on manual operations. The real innovation lies in the ability to orchestrate these technologies within a single intelligent ecosystem, supported by advanced software and Digital Twin technology, to create increasingly flexible, autonomous, and high-performance picking systems.

• AETNA Group - Davide Soli, Area Manager Robopac Systems and Davide Bertolini, Business Manager LGV

From End-of-Line to Supply Chain: How Certified Load Stabilization Transforms Manufacturing Intralogistics

The end-of-line stage is where production meets logistics and, often, where efficiency is lost. Aetna Group demonstrates how certified load stabilization is a key factor influencing the quality and cost of every subsequent movement, from the warehouse to the final customer. Aetna Group’s approach is based on testing, analysis, and certification activities designed to measure and optimize load performance throughout the entire logistics cycle. This methodology makes it possible to turn often unpredictable variables into controllable and measurable parameters, delivering benefits such as up to a 60% reduction in product damage, up to a 40% increase in load stability, and up to an 85% reduction in material consumption. Building on this foundation, the presentation explores intralogistics as a whole, from entry-level solutions to the most advanced automated systems, with applications ranging from consumer goods to heavy manufacturing industries.

Click here for the Italian version: Intralogistica del manifatturiero