PICK DENSITY AND EFFICIENCY IMPROVED AT WEBASTO

The Live Storage Company - Press Release Mar '07

WebastoAutomotive component manufacturer Webasto Roof Systems has improved storage density, increased picking efficiency and introduced better stock rotation in the warehouse at its factory in Birmingham by installing highly efficient full-width roller track Span Track modules from The Live Storage Company to convert static pallet locations into dynamic live picking faces.

“We wanted to use the space in the warehouse more efficiently,” says Robert Jarman, Operations Director at Webasto Roof Systems. “By introducing the Span Track modules we have improved picking efficiency and probably tripled the storage density in the areas we have reconfigured.”

Webasto AG is a family-owned business based in Germany that develops and manufactures products and systems for fresh air, heating and air-conditioning in vehicles. The company was founded in 1901 and produced its first sunroofs in the 1930s. It continues to invest in research and development to deliver innovative solutions that are targeted at its customers’ demands.

When the company reviewed component storage and handling operations at its Birmingham sunroof factory it recognised the need for improvement. Webasto produces an extensive range of standard products and derivatives and must stock a large number of components to maintain production. It also supplies spares for older products and the ability to pick efficiently is important to overall customer service. The company was storing items in conventional pallet racking but recognised that this was an inefficient use of the available space which did not support good stock rotation or productive picking. Items were picked and replenished from the same side of the racking which meant that components at the front would always be selected before those behind. Space had to be left on the front of the pallet for replenishing stock which meant that the density of items at the picking point was always low. Finally, staff had to lean or stretch to reach items at the back of the pallet or shelf which was inefficient, inconvenient and unproductive.

“Storing items on pallets does not lend itself to quick picking or using the oldest items first,” says Robert Jarman. “Our plan was to get rid of pallets and pick from the front face so that we could improve stock rotation and density.”

DIGITAL IMAGES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM KEITH WOOTTON

For further press information please contact:

Paul Boyce
The Live Storage Company Limited
T: 01295 709020
E: sales@live-storage.com
W: www.live-storage.com

Keith Wootton Public Relations Consultant
T: 01327 830675
F: 0871 750 1406
E: lsc@keithwootton.co.uk
W: www.keithwootton.co.uk/clients/lsc/