Logistics Resources and Supply Chain Insights | ODW Logistics

NATIONAL BEVERAGE COMPANY BOOSTS UNITS PICKED PER HOUR BY 93% THROUGH AUTOMATION

Written by ODW Logistics | Feb 11, 2025 6:59:55 PM

Optimized workflows and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) led to a 93% increase in picking efficiency and lower labor costs in just six months.

CHALLENGE:
The team faced an opportunity to improve units picked per hour, as low picking density and limited order consolidation led to increased travel between pick locations.

SOLUTION:

Root cause analysis Identified:
  • Excessive travel required during the picking process
  • Multiple handling and scans for each individual order
  • Inefficient batching processes with room for optimization

Engineering solution
Tested multiple solutions to eliminate redundancies that included:
  • Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)
  • Alternative warehouse layout design
  • Different work flows within the layouts

Implementation
The ODW team implemented a solution that included the following:
  • Nine Autonomous Mobile Robots
  • Person to goods solution that eliminated movement and picking inefficiency
  • A redesigned layout that created the most efficient workflow in the operation

RESULTS:
Within 6 months of implementation the customer started to see results that included:

  • 93% Improvement in Units Picked Per Hour (UPH)
  • 21% Reduction in Labor