White’s MiniVert Doubles Capacity for Order Fulfillment
White’s MiniVert Doubles Capacity for Order Fulfillment
Challenge
Challenge
A premium chocolate and candies company was looking to increase their custom chocolate packaging throughput and employee safety within their existing custom mix room. The candies were stored on a 40 foot long table which held over 70 SKUs and thousands of chocolates. Associates would pick orders by walking around the long table to select items with the correct SKUs for custom orders.
This process required a lot of floor space, a high percentage of travel vs. picking time, and it was difficult to keep associates spaced appropriately. All three of these items resulted in restricted throughput with this popular offering.
Solution
Solution
White MiniVert vertical carousels are designed to increase storage density and ergonomically deliver items. The carousels are 6 ½ feet tall and 7 feet wide, storing a large number items in a very small floor footprint. The rotating shelves bring items to the operator and a pick-to-light system guides associates to accurately pick candies.
An integrated weighing system allows operators to accurately weigh bulk items prior to packaging. The carousels were sized so labor capacity could be optimized inside the current mix room area, which was limited due to low ceiling heights. Inventory and supply tracking software was implemented for greater business efficiencies.
Results
Results
Over 25 White MiniVerts were installed to dramatically increase custom packaging throughput. The MiniVerts significantly decreased picking time for custom mix associates, meaning they could pick more orders in less time. Associates no longer have to walk back and forth to get supplies to fulfill orders increasing pick rates.
The candies are now stored inside machines rather than open tables. The mix room is also safer since employees stay at their own appropriately spaced work station and more workers can pick.
The MiniVerts have significantly increased the company’s order fulfillment productivity through decreased picking time, enabling more workers to work in the area, increased picking accuracy, and enhanced worker safety allowing the company to efficiently meet their expanding custom chocolate customer demand.