Alstef Group supports ARMOR-IIMAK in modernizing its AGV system
Alstef Group at ARMOR-IIMAK
- Location: La Chevrolière, France
- Scope: AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) system
- Industry: Production of thermal transfer ribbons
Alstef Group announces the commissioning of a new-generation Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) at ARMOR-IIMAK's industrial site in La Chevrolière, western France. The project is part of a broader strategy to modernize and future-proof the automated logistics system, which has been in operation since 2015.
A subsidiary of ARMOR GROUP, ARMOR-IIMAK is a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of thermal transfer ribbons. In this demanding industrial environment, where production continuity, traceability and logistics performance are critical, automation plays a central role.
An automated system at the heart of production
For more than ten years, Alstef Group has supported the site in operating and continuously improving its intralogistics system. Today, the installation relies on a fleet of 13 AGVs dedicated to different material handling operations:
- 10 automated forklift trucks dedicated to pallet transfers throughout the production workshops
- 3 VNA (Very Narrow Aisles) AGVs dedicated to high-bay storage operations
This configuration ensures smooth, reliable pallet movements between production areas and the storage warehouse.
Improving the reliability of an existing installation
As part of its long-term modernization strategy, a new VNA AGV was commissioned in September 2025. The objective was twofold: to improve the reliability of storage operations while ensuring the long-term availability of the warehouse and securing production continuity.
The new GT16 automated forklift handles storage operations up to 8 metres high without changing the overall operation of the installation. The remaining AGVs continue to manage pallet transfers upstream and downstream of production, including movements to and from the slitting workshop.
The project was implemented with particular attention to operational continuity, allowing logistics activities to continue throughout the commissioning phase while minimizing disruption to the site.
A solution designed for long-term performance and safety
With the introduction of the GT16, the installation reaches a new level of operational robustness and safety. The vehicle incorporates several key technologies, including:
- An onboard load profile control system using vertical laser scanners to verify load stability in real time.
- A Busbar power supply system enabling continuous charging of the AGV, eliminating manual charging operations and maximizing vehicle availability.
This modernization helps address equipment obsolescence while maintaining a high level of operational performance.
A long-standing partnership
This project reflects the long-term collaboration between the two companies, which began in 2015. Over the years, the installation has evolved to support increasing production volumes and growing requirements for safe and reliable material flows.
In 2022, an additional AGV dedicated to the slitting workshop was already integrated into the system, further illustrating this continuous improvement approach.
"Alstef Group introduced new functionalities that have delivered significant improvements in safety. In particular, they provide an effective solution to pallet fall issues. Commissioning and start-up went very smoothly, and thanks to the system's reliability, operational deployment was completed very quickly. We highly recommend this solution.", says Hortense JANIERE, Continuous Improvement Engineer, ARMOR-IIMAK.
With this latest commissioning, Alstef Group once again demonstrates its ability to modernize existing automated installations by combining technological innovation, operational continuity and long-term industrial performance.