Detailed Warehouse Assessment of Automation Options

SCALA CASE STUDY

Major Outdoor Clothing Supplier & Retailer

Background & Brief

SCALA had undertaken previous work for this client, and with major change in the business profile including significant growth in E-Comm with the warehouse approaching maximum capacity they asked SCALA to evaluate options to ensure their warehouse operation would be able to successfully fulfil future customer needs and particularly further accelerated E-Comm and small order growth.

Project Approach

SCALA initially ensured they had a clear understanding of the current operation which although extremely well managed we needed to understand the current “pinch points”, what worked well and where potential issues existed

In parallel SCALA undertook a detailed review of all the SKU and order data, identifying all the various different types of customer order streams and differing customer service requirements.

One of the key outputs from the data analysis was which SKUs were ordered through which customer order streams and a breakdown for each SKU between orders at item level versus full case orders

SCALA then identified a range of Automation options for picking and despatch which could be integrated into the current warehousing operation

Each of these options was then evaluated

Benefits & Results

SCALA identified a range of options, which were demonstrated to the client together with the pros and cons, and a preferred recommendation including

Layouts that fitted within existing operation

Throughput Capacities related to the current future projected requirements

Budget Costs and Operational Savings

Ease of Implementation

Final Outcome

Subject to budget approval and market conditions the next phase will be to create a simulation model of the preferred solution and to fully test a range of “What Ifs”

Our Supply Chain & Logistics Consulting Services

SCALA CASE STUDY