The SCALLOG “Goods to Person” robotic solution at the heart of the logistics transformation of the Cholet-based SME Chiron Distribution!
Goods-to-Person robotics, a key pillar of logistics performance and agility, is becoming more popular in French SMEs. Proof of this is the fact that the almost century-old Cholet-based SME Chiron Distribution has been automating its retail order picking with the SCALLOG robotic solution since 15 September!
Founded in 1929 in Cholet, Chiron Distribution, an independent family business, is positioned in the Pays de Loire as the leading wholesaler in the supply of plumbing, sanitary ware and heating to craftsmen, and regional players in industry and construction. Aimed exclusively at professionals, the SME is distinguished by the breadth and depth of its offer – more than 8000 references sold through its Cholet store and its online sales site – and by the extent of the services offered – drive-through with pick-up possible in two hours, transport rounds, etc. In order to speed up and make reliable its ever-increasing retail order picking, Chiron Distribution has been relying since September 15 on the SCALLOG solution, which includes 40 mobile shelves moved by 3 robots to a picking station. At the end of the day, many benefits are expected, such as productivity multiplied by 2 and “flawless” reliability in stock management!
As Jérôme Desmier de Chenon, Managing Director of Chiron Distribution, tells us: “Logistics performance is one of the key drivers of the success of a specialist wholesaler, in the face of the new requirements of professionals in terms of responsiveness and precision. It necessarily involves automation to gain in time, efficiency and agility. With SCALLOG, we plan to manage a larger flow of orders in faster turnaround times, while improving our service level. »
Automation is the “cornerstone” of Chiron Distribution’s logistics transformation!
In 2024, one thing is clear for Chiron Distribution: its manual and paper logistics in its 7,000 m² warehouse are facing a “glass ceiling” in order preparation. The wholesaler must overhaul its logistics in depth, from tools to processes and practices, particularly in self-service stock and picking, due to the rise in orders. To gain in efficiency, lead times and support the company’s growth, automation appears to be the ideal solution for Chiron Distribution to “rethink” its logistics, from stocking to picking. It must meet several key challenges, in addition to the optimization of processes and practices, such as accelerating order preparation times, drastically reducing the error rate and optimizing the working conditions of operators, in a context of growing recruitment difficulties in the Pays de Loire.
The SCALLOG technological solution is the resolutely efficient and agile automation solution expected by Chiron Distribution. Jérôme Desmier de Chenon adds : “The SCALLOG robotic solution is the assurance for an SME of affordable automation in terms of budget, resources and deadlines. In our view, it is the most relevant choice in terms of the combination of costs and benefits. »
The contract will be signed in December 2024. The project is divided into several highlights in 2025: tests in January/February, interfaces/exchanges with the new IS in the spring and employee training in the summer. The SCALLOG solution, which includes 40 mobile shelves moved by 3 robots to a picking station, has been operational since September 15, 2025. Jérôme Desmier de Chenon adds: “Throughout the project, SCALLOG provided professional and technical support according to “best practices”, well beyond the mere deployment of its solution, such as its help in calculating the future volume of orders. In addition, SCALLOG carried out an upstream audit in order to build and implement a robotic solution according to the typology and volume of our products that was truly in line with our needs. »
Many expected benefits and planned developments!
In the 170 m² automated area, the SCALLOG solution manages more than 1100 references in category A – high turnover and B – medium rotation, i.e. 10 days of stock turnover. It modernises picking in terms of speed and reliability. An operator at the picking station, accompanied at all stages via indications on a screen and a light beam – pick to light, from picking to removal – can carry out up to 56 orders simultaneously, with the “right” products in the “right” quantity. Productivity in order picking will quickly be multiplied by 2. In addition, flows are streamlined, processes are accelerated and stock reliability is ensured. Another expected benefit is the optimization of working conditions; Operators are free from trips around the warehouse, “wrong” gestures and stress. They develop their skills and diversify their daily tasks, while strengthening the attractiveness of their jobs in a sector under pressure. In addition, the SCALLOG solution guarantees Chiron Distribution to smooth out its weekly peaks of activity, particularly on Mondays and Tuesdays, and according to the seasonality of its sales, from heating in the autumn to watering in the spring.
This automation is the first step in a reorganization of Chiron Distribution’s logistics. In 2026, the wholesaler plans to redesign its store counter within the warehouse with a view to creating a stock dedicated to craftsmen, who will be able to select and take the products as soon as possible. In 2027, it plans to double the SCALLOG facility, in terms of shelves and robots, to once again speed up its order preparation.
Rémi Badaroux, Sales Manager at SCALLOG, concludes: “This new contract demonstrates the democratization of Goods-to-Person robotics to optimize logistics in SMEs. Indeed, logistics robotics according to SCALLOG is not reserved for large companies, it meets the needs of SMEs in terms of flexibility, scalability and automation. »
