Parts Town installs goods-to-person system

After outgrowing its distribution facility, Parts Town, a source for food service equipment parts, contacted its systems integrator. Parts Town worked to maintain its promise of same-day delivery to customers. To do so, Parts Town implemented a multi-phase approach that included scalable automation and optimized processes.

During phase one of the project, the systems integrator’s independent consulting group used detailed data analysis techniques and advanced modeling tools to provide Parts Town a clear, methodical plan for current and future operations, which maximized the new facility’s lifespan. Due to an increasing number of SKUs, along with a necessity for faster order fulfillment, the AutoStore goods-to-person (G2P) system was selected for its high-density storage and scalability.

As the food service equipment parts source continued to grow, a second project phase was pursued and implemented in 2020. Previously identified during phase one planning, they had a need for additional storage space and support for increased order picking volume. Having anticipated the necessity for extra floor space, an area had been kept clear to expand the AutoStore system and add a mile of sortation conveyor, enabling inventory to enter the building and be shipped to customers faster.

In the end, picking speeds equaled more than 150 lines per hour (three to four times faster than traditional picking), and order fulfillment and inventory space were increased to house 65% of picking efforts—in 7% of the facility’s footprint. In addition, the new system provided Parts Town flexibility to reduce operators’ training time, while also improving ergonomics and safety.

Bastian Solutions
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