Classic Distributing uses low-level orderpicker to increase its pick rates

For more than 30 years, Classic Distributing & Beverage Group has served as the beverage distributor for the Greater Los Angeles area. Supported by a 250,000-square-foot warehouse, the company distributes a selection of imported brands, craft beers, non-alcoholic beverages and waters. The company also ensures seamless distribution of its beverages to high-profile sporting events at locations such as Dodger Stadium and Staples Center.

One of the biggest challenges Classic Distributing has is reducing the time it spends on pulling orders for distribution. Its warehouse uses voice picking, a paperless order-picking solution designed to keep the operator’s hands and eyes free to make order picking more efficient. However, even with voice picking, the company has noticed a decrease in productivity caused by the time operators spent getting on and off their forklifts during the order-picking process.

It was clear that Classic Distributing needed a new solution to improve order picking, leading the company to research various orderpicker truck alternatives to add to its fleet. The company agreed to evaluate a Jungheinrich low-level orderpicker, which would be used to retrieve warehouse orders.

“The orderpicker stood out the most because of the equipment’s footprint,” says Alex Hernandez, manager of distribution and IT at Classic Distributing. “The orderpicker is the perfect size to maneuver orders easily through the pick line. It fit our operation with perfect ease.”

Soon after implementing 15 Jungheinrich orderpickers into its facility, Classic Distributing noticed improved performance—with an increase in pick rates from 17% to 22%. The orderpicker uses precise, responsive three-phase AC technology, allowing for extended run times, which has greatly impacted the operation’s productivity, resulting in considerably fewer battery charges and greater uptime.

“The increased battery life has been essential to our productivity,” says Dan Chilson, fleet and facility manager for Classic Distributing. “Our operators are more efficient when they aren’t having to stop and charge the battery. In turn, they are able to pick more per hour.”

Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA)
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