The Customer
Ariat International, a leading equestrian and performance footwear and apparel brand, grappled with significant challenges in its supply chain, including labor shortages, pressure to optimize warehouse throughput, and the physical toll on associates. Collaborating with Körber and Geek+, Ariat implemented a cutting-edge robotics solution featuring 88 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), integration with Körber's K.Motion Warehouse Advantage (WMS), and 2,000 additional racks in their expansive 1 million sq. ft warehouse.
The Challenge
Ariat experienced a surge in customer demand while facing industry-wide labor shortages. Their massive 1 million sq. ft warehouse also posed challenges such as optimizing storage capacity, maximizing throughput, and reducing the physical strain on their warehouse associates due to extensive walking and repetitive manual tasks. To maintain high levels of customer satisfaction, Ariat needed to introduce a scalable and highly efficient solution to transform its supply chain operations.
Our Solution
Geek+ and Körber partnered to implement a cutting-edge robotics solution tailored to Ariat's challenges.
- Robotic Deployment: Geek+ provided 88 AI-driven AMRs designed to automate and streamline picking processes.
- Enhanced Integration: Körber’s K.Motion Warehouse Advantage (WMS) was integrated to ensure seamless interaction between robots, racking systems, and existing warehouse management processes.
- Storage Expansion: 2,000 racks were added to optimize space utilization and enhance throughput within Ariat’s facility.
This solution moved associates away from repetitive manual workloads, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks while significantly increasing efficiency across the supply chain.
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.
"Geek+’s AMRs allow us to move our employees away from repetitive tasks and towards more rewarding activities, resulting in a better working environment and bringing greater value to the services we provide our customers."
Matt Hardenberg, VP of Distribution, Ariat International
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