Stora Enso strategically embraced digitalization and the Industrial Internet to strengthen its position as a leader in leveraging innovative technologies. As part of this effort, the company piloted several digital solutions, including the Agilon automated warehouse solution. Today, Agilon warehouses operate at Stora Enso’s two largest pulp and paper mills, delivering clear benefits for maintenance operations, inventory management, and supply chain efficiency:
Improved efficiency in maintenance and spare parts handling
Increased productivity for fitters and operational teams
Reduced inventory and ordering errors
Greater supply chain transparency and automated replenishment
Safer and more organized storage of critical parts
Digitalization and operational efficiency at Stora Enso
Stora Enso’s decision to implement the Agilon system was driven by a clear need to enhance operational efficiency and safety. “It was a mature product from Konecranes with clear benefits. Familiar with Konecranes’ hoists and cranes, we trusted this investment would pay off—and it did,” says the Project Manager at Stora Enso’s Oulu mills.
The company set out to improve maintenance tools and the management of critical spare parts to ensure high equipment availability and cost-effective operations. “With paper prices decreasing and salary and material costs rising, efficiency is our only option.”
Customer: Stora Enso
Industry: Pulp and Paper
Solution: Agilon automated warehouse systems
Locations: Oulu and Uimaharju mills
Scope: Five Agilon systems; three at Oulu, two at Uimaharju
Implementing Agilon warehouse systems across two sites
Each Agilon system includes an online portal, a shelf system, an access point, and robots that travel between shelves. A fixed monthly fee covers the system, software, remote support, maintenance, and spare parts. Positive feedback from the Oulu site led to the expansion of Agilon services to other mills, including Uimaharju. Today, the Stora Enso mills operate a total of five Agilon systems; three at Oulu and two at Uimaharju.
The Oulu pilot system, used for storing supplies and spare parts, is 12 meters long and 5.6 meters high and serves approximately 250 users, including shift supervisors and specialists. It can store up to 1,000 packages, each weighing up to 25 kilograms.
We have not stuffed the system full. We aim to store critical goods and items with quick turnaround, such as paper machine filters and washers. If the storage is filled with goods not taken out, it is being misused,” the Project Manager states.
Streamlined inventory management and spare parts control
Previously, Stora Enso stored maintenance supplies and spare parts in an open warehouse, leading to unauthorized withdrawals and supply chain disruptions.
People often choose the easiest way and might be careless with registrations, causing inventory problems," the Project Manager explains. We didn´t purchase new parts because the buyers thought the shelves were still stocked. A paper machine may need to shut down if a critical component is missing, resulting in substantial costs. "Sometimes, parts needed to be delivered from Tampere or Helsinki by taxi or express air freight," the Project Manager continues.
Accurate inventory balances: No manual stock-taking
With Agilon, every user logs in to the system, ensuring all transactions are recorded and integrated into SAP ERP. This reliable system maintains accurate inventory balances, eliminating the need for manual stock-taking.
When inventory balances are always up to date, nobody needs to spend time stock-taking or counting the contents of boxes. The inventory levels of components in the Agilon can be obtained automatically.
Enhancing supply chain efficiency with Agilon
Stora Enso also aimed to increase transparency and automate its supply chain with suppliers. Agilon automatically sends orders to suppliers when stock levels fall below a specified threshold, thereby reducing the maintenance team´s workload. Integration with suppliers, such as Ahlsell, a technical goods wholesaler, has further streamlined the process.
“The major advance is that the systems now communicate with each other, eliminating manual errors and ensuring real-time data accuracy,” says a Key Account Manager at Ahlsell. “With real-time stock balance data, there’s no longer a need to manually verify what must be delivered, which has reduced the number of required visits by half,” adds an Ahlsell representative.
Fully automated spare parts supply chain
The service runs like clockwork from start to finish, as the supplier brings the ordered MRO supplies and spare parts. The orders are then compiled into a single monthly invoice. If more specific items or components, such as planned maintenance, are needed for the work, they can be ordered from Agilon by temporarily increasing the stock balances.
Nowadays, nobody wants to have goods lying around in the warehouse: the supply chain and operations should be as streamlined as possible. We are happy the system ensures the required parts are always available. "Stora Enso, Project Manager, concludes.
Future digital innovations in maintenance operations
Stora Enso’s Agilon system ensures fitters always have the parts they need, improving inventory management, reducing delays, and enhancing supply chain efficiency. Building on this success, the company continues to explore new digital solutions to maintain high productivity and stay at the forefront of the pulp and paper industry.
