Automated picking best practices

Order picking is still one of the most labor-intensive, and expensive, processes in a warehouse or distribution center. But in the right application, and in the right volumes, automation can make a significant difference. This month, Axium shares the solutions it’s developing to automatically build mixed-SKU and rainbow pallets. We then show you how Kroger and Smith Drug have brought automation to their picking operations.

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best practices articles of the month

• Mixed-SKU pallets: The Holy Grail of picking
  End users have been looking for a way to automate mixed-SKU palletizing and each picking for years. In the right applications, those solutions are within reach now.
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• Goods-to-person picking at Smith Drug Company
  Using the new system, picking productivity increased from 140 lines to nearly 900 lines per man hour.
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• Automated picking: Grocery giant Kroger changes the distribution game
  Kroger is building store-ready mixed pallets in an automated environment that streamlines processes in the DC and in the store.
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other recommended items

• Materials handling: Alvey palletizing brand is launched under Intelligrated
  Intelligrated's PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2009 exhibit features newly acquired brand of palletizers.
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• Materials handling: MHIA says the economy is not out of the woods yet
  Through the first half of 2009, orders for new equipment across all product categories tracked by MHIA were down nearly 45% compared to 2008, while demand was down nearly 39%.
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• Logistics and manufacturing: ISM report shows growth in manufacturing sector
  Good news in the manufacturing sector will take time to translate into good news for other sectors.
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• Materials handling: AS/RS industry group releases Fall 2009 quarterly report
  Automated storage systems make a play for sustainability.
  Continue

This issue sponsored by:

forkliftcompare.com is the industry's premier online lift truck database representing over 3,500 lift truck models from over 27 leading Original Equipment Manufacturers. The 'search & compare' database contains more than 175,000 lift truck specifications and provides users with: side-by-side model comparisons, customized product specifications and reports, resale and residual value calculators, fleet tracking, new model introductions, links to OEM's Web sites, and request for quotes - All from one trusted source.

blogs

• Green Supply Chain: Making the case for wooden pallets.
  Company Briefings by Bob Trebilcock, Executive Editor, Modern Materials Handling
  Today, Michael Smith, the COO of PALNET, a supplier of wooden pallets, made a bold assertion about another product you don't give much thought to: Wooden pallets.
• Raymond CEO puts lift trucks through SWOT analysis
  Takeaways by Tom Andel, Columnist, Modern Materials Handling
  In this excusive interview, James Malvaso, president & CEO of the Raymond Corporation, analyzes strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for lift truck sellers and buyers.
• See all blogs