The Customer
Outdoor Network, a major U.S. distributor of vehicles and OEM parts, faced critical operational challenges, including consolidating multi-line orders across two facilities, labor shortages, and the need to enhance efficiency to meet peak-season demands. Partnering with Geek+ and KPI Solutions, Outdoor Network deployed innovative mobile robotic solutions at their East Coast Distribution Center in Albany, Georgia.
The Challenge
Outdoor Network encountered multiple hurdles in its warehouse operations:
- The need to consolidate multi-line orders from two separate facilities.
- Ongoing labor shortages due to heightened demand for their products.
- A pressing requirement to enhance operational efficiency to cope with peak demands.
These challenges hindered Outdoor Network's ability to maintain high service levels and operational agility, demanding a scalable and efficient solution.
Our Solution
Geek+ and KPI Solutions collaborated to design and implement an advanced automation strategy tailored to Outdoor Network’s needs:
- Integration of Mobile Robotic Solutions: Mobile robots were deployed to handle oversized items, efficiently managing putaway to static shelving and pallet racks.
- Streamlined Picking Operations: Robots transported oversized picks in carts to a dedicated consolidation area for outbound shipping.
- Optimized Single Facility Approach: By merging storage and picking processes into one consolidated facility, operations were simplified and streamlined.
This solution leveraged smart automation to boost storage capacity and efficiency while addressing labor challenges through reduced dependency on manual tasks.
The Geekplus impact
The collaboration between Ariat, Geek+, and Körber yielded impressive results that transformed Ariat’s supply chain operations:
- Improved Efficiency: Warehouse picking efficiency and accuracy experienced significant enhancements, directly impacting speed and reducing errors.
- Associate Productivity Advance: Productivity doubled, with a 100% increase noted following the implementation.
- Reduced Walking Strain on Associates: Associate walking decreased by 82%, minimizing workplace fatigue and improving employee satisfaction.
- Compliance with Demand Surges: The scalability of Geek+’s robots ensured Ariat could effectively meet demand spikes without operational bottlenecks.
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