Great news! Costo is opening its own facility in Portugal for the design and assembly of automatic storage systems.

Pioneering in Porto

Costo transitions into automatic storage systems

Costo Intralogistics is opening its own facility in Portugal for the design and assembly of automatic storage systems. In doing so, the system integrator is responding to the growing demand for warehouse mechanisation and automation.

Costo Intralogistics has been automating intralogistics processes for more than 25 years. The conveyors used for this purpose are produced in Gorinchem and integrated with other solutions to create complete systems for picking, packing and shipping orders.
These systems are controlled with the WMS produced by Xtend business software, Costo’s sister company in Tilburg. However, when it came to automated storage systems, until recently Costo was dependent on external partners. This will change with the opening of a branch office in Portugal. ‘We’ve received the opportunity to set up a completely new company with a team of eight specialists,’ says managing director Alarik Lens van Rijn. ‘This team has years of experience in the design and realisation of automatic storage systems. That means we can now build our own solutions for automatic pallet and small goods warehouses in the vicinity of Porto.’

Faster response
With its own design and assembly facilities, Costo will be able to respond faster, says Lens van Rijn: ‘The demand for automation has grown enormously and the pandemic has only increased that demand, especially when it comes to e-commerce. With our own design department, we’ll be able to respond even better to the specific needs of our customers in e-commerce and other sectors such as retail, wholesale, industry and logistics services.’
 The Portuguese branch will initially focus on the design of crane warehouses and all associated components for the supply and removal of goods. The pallet cranes are able to store pallets single-deep, double-deep and multi-deep. The storage system for small goods (miniload) can handle plastic containers, boxes and trays. The first two storage systems have already been sold: ‘One in the Netherlands and one abroad. We’re aiming our new solutions at the entire European market.’

Open-minded
Costo's approach can best be described as cooperative. In an open setting, a team of specialists with expertise in technology, software and organisation searches for the most suitable solution together with the customer. ‘Over the past few months, we’ve noticed that the Portuguese mentality suits this approach remarkably well. Having a good relationship with the Portuguese team creates a solid foundation for success.
 
Custom solution
Costo's Portuguese branch is to be managed by Jorge Couto, a specialist with more than 32 years of experience in material handling. He is looking forward to his new job: ‘No two storage systems are the same. That’s why instead of standard systems, we offer customised solutions. What sets us apart is our extreme focus on our customers. We consult with them, can respond quickly and are motivated to solve problems.’ The projects focus on quality, reliability, payback time and a short turnaround time. ‘We don't have a large team, but it’s a team with specialists in every field, from mechanics and electronics to software and automation. Costo in Gorinchem provides the additional knowledge and experience in the field of order picking and packaging. In short: together we have all the in-house knowledge we need.’