Warehouse Automation
& Conveyor Systems

Product loads are moved from pallet storage through the system before being broken into cartons and pieces, where they are sent to carton flow pick areas for processing and shipment. Pick Module pallet storage may include push-back, gravity flow, selective rack, bin shelving, heavy duty racking, and other storage methods.

A Pick Module may be the solution to your warehouse problem if you:

• Have high order volumes
• Require maximum order picking throughput
• Believe cost is less important than gaining a competitive edge
• Want a technologically advanced distribution system

To draw together the systems required to effectively implement Pick Modules, true systems integration is required. Hundreds or thousands of hours are required for the design and on-site management of the installation and start-up. Highly engineered rack systems, carton flow, conveyor systems with accumulation and sortation, pick-to-light or voice technology, and advanced control systems all must come together as an integrated solution. Lighting, sprinkler, data, phone, trash removal and stairwell systems must be considered as well.

Although the initial investment can be high, companies can benefit from an automatic Pallet Shuttle system when:

• High throughput is required
• High product rotation exists
• Limited space is available and vertical space can be utilized
• You have a high number of stock counts and varying consumption SKUs
• Large number of pallets per SKU

A Pallet Shuttle system is a 24/7, 365-day operator and can in many cases eliminate traditional labor costs and costs associated with labor including, training, lift trucks and maintenance which can drive a relatively short term ROI.

AS/RS can completely transform your operation. You’ll benefit and experience relatively short-term ROI by implanting AS/RS when you:

• Need to reduce labor costs associated with storage and picking
• Are limited by labor constraints or expertise
• Have repetitive tasks that can be easily automated
• Have long travel times for storing and/or picking
• Need to achieve a better use of space

AS/RS can completely transform your operation. You’ll benefit and experience relatively short-term ROI by implanting AS/RS when you:

• Need to reduce labor costs associated with storage and picking
• Are limited by labor constraints or expertise
• Have high throughput volume with larger/oversized pallets or heavy inventory
• Have repetitive tasks that can be easily automated
• Have long travel times for storing and/or picking and palletizing
• Need to achieve a better use of space

Automation and Systems Integration go hand in hand in the material handling industry. Automation is defined as the use of robotic equipment for a warehouse or distribution facility process to gain efficiency. Common processes that benefit from automation are order processing, box erecting, carton sealing, picking, packaging, storing and retrieval, sorting and palletizing among others.

Systems integration is the process of using design solutions and technology to ensure automated processes are streamlined, consistent and continuous. A critical step in automation design and implementation is to ensure each system works seamlessly together to achieve the most cost effective and efficient solution–in other words: successful system integration.

Implementation of automation via systems integration has the added benefit of enabling a robust warehouse management system that provides the ability to extract data and scientific knowledge to find answers, identify problems and quickly respond to issues and improve processes.

Automated systems will benefit you if:

• Simple, redundant tasks and manual processes exist
• You have a high order inaccuracy rate
• High labor costs or limited access to labor
• Throughput rate is slow
• Increased volume is required
• You have long retrieval distances
• Your business has seasonal fluctuations

Companies can experience explosive growth and may or may not have enough capital for facility expansion. Vertical Storage Carousels are a logical solution to optimize the space you have and drive improvements in key operational areas.

Vertical Storage Carousels are best utilized when:

• Every square meter of space counts and space optimization is required
• Your inventory requires careful release due to its value or fragility
• Improvements in storage and inventory management are desired
• You want to achieve higher order accuracy rates
• You want to improve throughput without risking damage to inventory

Vertical Storage Carousels make sense, make use of what you have and provide a relatively quick solution to limited space, consistent inventory release and controlling costs.