Warehouse Inventory Consolidation with Automation
In order to meet increasing customer needs, a manufacturer implemented a surprisingly simple technological solution that easily beat their previous manual processes. After their warehouse inventory consolidation from two buildings to one, auto manufacturing and part SKU automation systems were also installed to reduce their footprint by 58% and increase efficiency and throughput. Read on to learn how the auto manufacturing warehouses were able to save time, money, and space with more efficiency than ever before. Click here to watch a video showing how the part and SKU automation systems work.
Manufacturing Parts & SKU Automation Systems
To manufacture one custom truck, it takes an average of 4,000 individual parts. With an average of two truck builds per day, the manufacturer requires about 8,000 parts that need to be pulled from an inventory of thousands of SKUs. Using two separate warehouses required extra time, costs, and space that simply wasn’t there to manage the process efficiently.
Instead, the manufacturer went with warehouse inventory consolidation with six 40′ tall SKU automation systems, also known as vertical lift modules (VLMs). The automated storage is integrated with inventory management software, pick-to-light technology, and a 12 position batch station. While the previous warehouses required 71,000 square feet, the new VLM area only requires 29,200 square feet for a footprint reduction of 58%. With the inventory consolidation, there was also more storage capacity to keep more parts readily available.
The vertical automation systems also eliminated extra time spent traveling to and from multiple warehouses since requested SKUs are delivered directly to the operator. It also increased ergonomics, as workers no longer need to bend down or climb ladders to reach parts. The picking software also greatly reduces errors and improves picking accuracy and efficiency. The manufacturer’s warehouse inventory consolidation with part and SKU automation have allowed them to reach all of their strategic goals of increasing production.
Contact Us for Warehouse Inventory Consolidation
Southwest Solutions Group® provides design and installation services for warehouse inventory consolidation with auto manufacturing part and SKU automation storage. We will also provide you with a free consultation to determine your exact needs and specifications before the design process begins. To learn more or to speak with a specialist, call us at 1-800-803-1083 or send us a message today.
Resources
Vertical Lift Module
VLM & Shuttle Storage Systems
Order Picking Solutions
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