Cosmetics, Supply Chain, Warehouse Automation, Logistics Software, Natura Brazil Cosmetics

Introduction

Natura is recognized as Brazil's largest cosmetics, toiletries, and perfume company, boasting over 100 million end consumers across Latin America and Europe. The company relies on a dedicated team of approximately 1.7 million consultants to sell its products. To enhance customer satisfaction, reduce logistics errors, and meet environmental and corporate social responsibility targets, Natura has partnered with SSI Schaefer for nearly 20 years. This collaboration has led to numerous logistics solutions aimed at optimizing the automated storage and picking of orders.

One of the most notable projects resulting from this partnership is the construction of a new hub located in Pará, Brazil. The hub spans a total area of 35,000 square meters and has the capacity to store 3.6 million bins. On a daily basis, the facility receives around 20 trucks, both from Natura’s own factories and third-party suppliers.

An innovative automatic truck-loading system was developed specifically for Natura to transport finished goods from its production facilities. This system can load 48 pallets simultaneously and fully offload them in under five minutes. Upon arrival, the pallets pass through a control station equipped with sensors that ensure they are in perfect condition for storage.

Once validated, the pallets are transferred to a vertical storage system capable of holding up to 90,000 items. It operates efficiently with the help of 13 stacker cranes that manage the pallets completely automatically while maintaining energy efficiency.

From the vertical storage system, pallets can either be sent to the goods-out area or a deep palletization area, depending on the quantity ordered by distribution centers. Those pallets that undergo deep palletization are temporarily stored in an innovative storage system designed to organize more than 1,000 different Natura products. This system allows for the assembly of mixed pallets containing the exact products and quantities ordered, all carried out by automatic palletizers.

Natura employs advanced logistics software named Lamas to control and optimize all operational processes related to the supply of its distribution center located 70 kilometers away in São Paulo. This software also orchestrates the automatic truck-loading system at the hub, ensuring high quality and flexibility in the goods-out process.

With cutting-edge technology implemented across the hub, approximately 3,000 pallets leave every day, fulfilling orders that reach customers around the globe. The integration of these advanced logistics systems ensures that Natura can maintain a robust supply chain, meet customer needs, and adhere to its sustainability goals.

Keywords

cosmetics, supply chain, warehouse automation, logistics software, Natura, Brazil, SSI Schaefer, pallets, storage system, corporate social responsibility, distribution center.

FAQ

1. What is Natura?
Natura is Brazil’s largest cosmetics, toiletries, and perfume company, serving over 100 million end consumers in Latin America and Europe.

2. How does Natura manage its logistics?
Natura partners with SSI Schaefer to implement logistics solutions that optimize storage and order-picking processes, ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction.

3. What is the capacity of Natura's new hub in Brazil?
The hub has a total construction area of 35,000 square meters and can store 3.6 million bins.

4. How are pallets handled at Natura's hub?
An automatic truck loading system can load and unload 48 pallets simultaneously, with sensors checking the condition of pallets upon arrival.

5. What technology does Natura use for logistics management?
Natura utilizes logistics software called Lamas, which controls and optimizes all operational processes for its distribution center.