Since 1980, De Eekhoorn has been manufacturing furniture in its own production facility. From design and production to finishing, packaging and distribution, almost the entire process takes place under one roof. Because every step is managed in-house, the company continuously looks for ways to make its processes smarter, more efficient and future-proof.

The challenge

Within the packaging department, employees were carrying out a physically demanding and repetitive task every day. Large furniture packages had to be continuously handled and stacked, requiring significant physical effort while making the process heavily dependent on manual labour.
De Eekhoorn therefore set out to find a solution that would reduce the physical workload while creating a more stable and future-proof production process.

The solution

Together with DERO GROEP, a compact robotic solution was developed that does much more than simply stack pallets. The system automatically handles different pallet sizes, adjusts itself to various package dimensions and ensures smooth, controlled handling of delicate furniture packages.

Designed with future expansion in mind, the installation not only solves today's challenges but also provides a solid foundation for future automation, such as automated pallet transport.

Developing together

According to Rogier, the real strength of the project was the close collaboration between both teams. Operators were involved from the very beginning of the development process, allowing the system to be tailored to the needs of the people who work with it every day. As a result, employees quickly became familiar with the installation and the transition to full production went smoothly. After a testing period of approximately one and a half weeks, the robot was already fully integrated into the production process.

The results

Today, the robot takes over virtually all heavy handling tasks. Employees only need to remove the completed pallets.
"The DERO – as we call the robot here at De Eekhoorn – has completely taken the pressure off our team. It has eliminated the heavy lifting as well as the inspection work and provides a stable way of working."

Even after commissioning, DERO GROEP remains closely involved through periodic maintenance and support, ensuring the installation continues to perform reliably.

Ready for the next step

De Eekhoorn is already exploring new automation opportunities within its production process. Thanks to the positive experience with this installation, DERO GROEP is the obvious partner for future projects.

"You know what to expect from each other. We've built a strong partnership, and if we continue automating our processes, DERO GROEP will definitely be involved again." – Rogier Schaap, Team Leader

A Project We're Proud Of

De Eekhoorn had a clear vision from the very beginning and actively contributed throughout the entire project. The biggest challenge was the wide variety of product dimensions combined with numerous pallet patterns. To address this, DERO GROEP developed an intelligent software platform that automatically calculates the most efficient pallet pattern. Operators only need to enter the product dimensions, after which the robot determines the optimal stacking pattern and automatically adjusts its gripper. The result is a highly flexible solution that is ready to accommodate future product variations.

"I would describe De Eekhoorn as a customer that values craftsmanship, thinks ahead and is a pleasure to work with. Thanks to the excellent collaboration, commissioning went smoothly, making this a project I look back on with great satisfaction." – Bart Buzink, Project Manager, DERO GROEP