Futaba

From logistics, including AMR robots, to production planning and beyond

Futaba Czech, located in Havlíčkův Brod, produces steel components for passenger vehicles – parts for bodywork, exhausts, dashboard panel braces and chassis components. The plant has long been the only continental European site operated by Japan’s Futaba Group. Futaba Czech has been working with Aimtec already since 2005.

The latest project, launched in 2025, is the deployment of Linde AMR autonomous robots to transport packaging materials to and from production machines. The management of individual task queues for the robots is handled by the WMS system Aimtec DCIx. In 2024, Futaba Czech decided to implement Aimtec Data Intelligence, a solution that eliminates errors in production data and ensures the required data quality. To achieve accurate reporting, meet defined production KPIs, and provide timely reports to the parent company, the plant transitioned to new reporting tools – Ignition and Power BI.

In addition to these solutions, the company uses the MES system Aimtec DCIx to collect data from welding and moulding lines. A major project in 2014 was the implementation of the Asprova APS system for advanced production planning and scheduling. The solution enabled a 50% reduction in inventory levels and streamlined the work of the planning team.

Replacement of part of the plant’s manual logistics. The AMRs took over from three manual tow tractors for supplying the 21 production lines.
A scalable solution that is prepared for further expansion of automation. Futaba Czech has a long-term plan for automating intralogistics and expects to be using dozens of AMRs in the future.
They expect to see a return on their investment within three years based on the financial model chosen and the solution’s planned expansion.
Futaba CZ has a detailed overview of material stock levels and work in progress.
Stocks have been reduced by 50%. Previously there were supplies of materials for 2 days; today the press shop has supplies for 6 hours.