Eimermacher Group: From manual checks to fully automated warehouse monitoring

Temperatures in view: One measuring instrument monitors three storage levels

With broad value creation, three storage levels, and a wide range of temperature-sensitive products, Eimermacher approached Testo with these requirements. Since early 2024, the Eimermacher Group has been using the testo Saveris 1 environmental monitoring system at its Nordwalde site to monitor its raw materials and finished goods warehouses. Around 30 measuring points continuously and automatically document storage temperatures across several racking levels. Eimermacher uses Testo’s modular devices with WLAN, LAN, or radio, depending on requirements. Manual evaluations have been eliminated entirely, and notifications are issued in the event of deviations. The GxP-compliant, validatable system provides the basis for potential audits.

Anyone entering the Eimermacher Group’s warehouses quickly notices just how diverse the product portfolio is. The range includes 18 own brands for humans and animals alone, spanning cosmetics, medical devices, and impregnating and laundry detergents.

“We monitor the storage temperature in the finished goods, raw materials, and incoming goods warehouses across three levels,” reports Dominik Allmich. The IT specialist has been with the company for ten years. He supported the implementation of the Saveris 1 system and is familiar with it from his day-to-day work.

Challenge

Manual processes and lack of future readiness

Until the introduction of the Testo system, Eimermacher used a system from another manufacturer. Limit value deviations were recorded in reports, printed out, or consolidated in Excel. For employees, this meant a high level of manual effort. However, after the manufacturer was acquired, the system was no longer developed further. Technical problems increased, while the documentation effort remained high. “We had many problems with the system and then started looking for something new,” recalls Allmich.

What was needed was a solution that would enable Eimermacher to transparently display temperature trends over the long term, for example in the case of seasonal fluctuations or medical devices: “We need to be able to trace the data - especially in the event of an audit.”

Solution

Automated warehouse monitoring with testo Saveris 1

With testo Saveris 1, Eimermacher uses a modular environmental monitoring system that adapts to its existing warehouse structures. In addition to functionality, trust in the manufacturer also played a role in the decision: “We know that Testo really is the market leader and the best you can buy in this area,” says Allmich. Currently, around 30 measuring points monitor the temperatures in the relevant warehouse areas. One device records all three levels per rack. “We monitor the lowest, middle, and highest levels of a rack. The great thing about the Testo system is that I can connect four temperature probes to one device - this flexibility is very good for us.” Depending on the structural conditions, Eimermacher uses the Testo devices with WLAN, radio, or LAN connectivity.

In the past, we printed out all these reports or compiled them in Excel - that is now completely eliminated by the system.

Domenik Allmich

IT Specialist

Transparency in day-to-day operations

The system centrally records and documents all temperature data. Manual evaluations are eliminated entirely, and historical data is available at any time. “In the past, we printed out all these reports or compiled them in Excel - that is now completely eliminated by the system.” In the event of deviations, a multi-stage alarm concept with deputy rules and mandatory acknowledgment takes effect. If the radio connection is interrupted, no data is lost. The loggers store measured values locally and automatically synchronise them later. “It runs very reliably,” confirms Allmich. He also gives a positive assessment of the installation and commissioning: “Everything was very, very professional. The quality Testo delivers is really very good - you can genuinely recommend it.”

Outlook

Step-by-step rollout to additional areas

An important decision criterion was the system ’s GxP compliance as well as the option of later validation. This puts Eimermacher in a strong position, also with regard to increasing requirements. The system has been in use in the raw materials and finished goods warehouses since February 2024 and is being gradually rolled out to other areas. “We are currently connecting production,” says Dominik Allmich. In addition to the production and shipping areas for refrigerated goods in Nordwalde, subsidiaries at other locations are also to be integrated step by step.

Benefits at a glance

Automatic alarms: Notifications in the event of limit value deviations enable rapid intervention
Central online overview: All measured values can be accessed at any time, with no manual effort required for evaluation
Audit-proof evidence: Complete temperature history as a basis for audits and inspections
Multi-level warehouse monitoring: Monitoring of several rack levels with just one measuring instrument
Flexible system architecture: Use via WLAN, LAN, or radio, depending on the environment
Easy to expand: Additional warehouse, shipping, and production areas can be connected with ease