Productivity increased
August 1st 2004

Replacing ageing VNA trucks with new ETX Kombi man-up machines from Jungheinrich has allowed FDB Distribution to increase order picking efficiency and overall productivity by more than 30%. In order to offer a competitive and highly flexible logistics operation, while being proactive rather than reactive to customers individual needs, the company has invested heavily in people together with state-of-the-art warehouse management and barcode tracking systems. Within FDBs 65,000ft2 Kingwinsford complex, the two new ETX Kombi trucks currently assist in the input and output of up to 2000 pallets every week. The 1250kg capacity machines also have to contend with the picking and despatch of single or multiple carton orders, which account for about 40% of daily throughput levels. To speed handling within the 20 aisle VNA storage complex, each truck operator is equipped with a hand-held radio data terminal and barcode reader. Linked directly to FDBs warehouse management system, developed by ATMS, this allows all transactions to be carried out in real-time, without the need for paperwork or the driver dismounting from his truck to carry out his next task. As well as contributing to improved speed of picking, the man-up design of the ETX trucks is also considered to be safer than man-down machines. Being wire-guided, rather than rail guided in the aisles contributes to improved housekeeping, eliminating the possibility of waste or discarded packaging accumulating as can often be the case using rails.

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