Moulins Dumée modernizes its order fulfillment operations with an innovative “Pallet-to-Robot” solution provided by Etyo and Fives
Moulins Dumée, a family-owned milling company based in France and employing around 80 people, inaugurated an innovative Pallet-to-Robot (P2R) order fulfillment solution at its Gron facility (Yonne department) on September 24, 2026.
Designed and implemented by Fives, with support from Etyo, this logistics automation project addresses Moulins Dumée’s growth challenges, while reducing the physical strain associated with handling 25 kg flour bags.
A flexible automation solution powered by a fleet of AMRs
Installed across a 1,000 sqm facility, this innovative solution enables Moulins Dumée to fulfill up to 515 flour bags per hour from 45 different product references for artisan bakers and industrial customers.
Designed to integrate seamlessly with the site's existing infrastructure, including the stacker crane already in operation, the Pallet-to-Robot solution combines:
- A rail-mounted palletizing robot,
- Seven AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots),
- Two FMRs (Fork Mobile Robots),
- A telescopic conveyor dedicated to export shipments,
- And a Fives Warehouse Control System (WCS), interfaced with the site’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) to orchestrate and manage all material flows.
At the heart of this architecture, the AMRs automatically transport pallets between the different areas of the installation and supply the order-picking robot. This approach reduces the amount of fixed infrastructure required and provides greater flexibility than highly mechanized automation systems. It also makes it easier to adapt and scale the installation in line with future business needs
Immediate benefits for performance and working conditions
Completed without disrupting mill operations, this project marks a new milestone in the logistics transformation of the Gron facility. It enhances the site’s operational performance for both the build-up of mixed-product pallets and the bag-by-bag loading of export containers.
The solution also supports Moulins Dumée’s commitment to delivering a high level of service to its artisan bakery customers while improving operators’ working conditions.
The new installation offers significant benefits:
- Virtually all manual handling of flour bags is eliminated,
- Order fulfillment is more accurate and reliable,
- Logistics operations become more responsive,
- Traceability of material flows is strengthened
- Working conditions are significantly improved by reducing the most physically demanding tasks
- Processing capacity increases to up to 150 tons of flour per day, within a segment that represents approximately 3,000 tonnes of bagged flour per month, accounting for nearly one-third of Moulins Dumée's monthly volumes
The new installation was officially inaugurated on September 24, 2026, in the presence of representatives from local authorities, companies involved in the project’s execution, and Moulins Dumée employees.
This event marks the successful completion of an ambitious project that demonstrates the value of flexible automation technologies in combining operational performance, service quality, and sustainable improvements in working conditions.