System Summary: Customer:
Cousin Corporation of America
TriFactor Provided:
Needs Analysis
Process and Design Study
Final Design Engineering
Product Selection & Procurement
Installation and Training
Size:
200,000 Square Feet
Facility Type:
Distribution
Products Handled:
Beads and Home Décor Items
Markets Served:
Wal-Mart, Michaels and JoAnne Fabrics Stores
Products Utilized:
Conveyor – Powered Roller
Case Erector
Racking and Pick Module
Controls and Software
Pick to Light  Company Description
Cousin Corporation of America, Largo, FL, a wholesaler of arts and crafts supplies to national retailers, has over 100 employees and several million dollars in annual sales.
Situation
Wal-Mart, one of its major customers with 3,500 stores in the United States, asked Cousin Corporation to adopt a Direct Store Delivery Consolidation (DSDC) system for shipping its 800 daily orders to Wal-Mart’s 43 distribution centers, to create more efficient channels for replenishing its stores with less than case-pack quantities.
 Assessment
Cousin Corporation was faced with the task of picking orders for 3,500 Wal-Mart stores individually instead of in bulk, something that was not possible with its current system. This required a major change in Cousin’s picking process, and the deadline was only six months away. TriFactor’s System Sales Engineer Greg Tuohy immediately began working on a comprehensive needs analysis of the operation to identify and understand the issues, while fully aware of the time constraints, operating budget, and warehouse space.
Solution
The decision was made to go to a pick-to-light system, which uses a paperless process of lighted modules that light the respective picks and display the quantity to pick, thus increasing not only accuracy but also productivity. Utilizing TriFactor’s Design/Build process, the important first step was understanding how Wal-Mart and Cousin Corporation did things together, which meant dealing with different hardware and software companies while introducing the new system. TriFactor installed a fully automated system that included a 24V DC motorized roller conveyor, case erector, racking and pick module, and controls and software, all while navigating tight spaces and narrow aisles, and without interrupting the normal flow of business.
Result
The TriFactor team completed the project on time and on budget. Cousin Corporation now processes Wal-Mart orders through a pick-to-light system that receives Wal-Mart’s EDI each day. Each order is originated, labeled and scanned as it entered into a 24V Motorized Roller Conveyor line where product is arranged in full-case and split-case packing. Zones are configured to maximize productivity. Each carton is then transported from picker to picker in a pick and pass arrangement. Completed orders are scanned and released via communication with the host Warehouse Management System. Released orders are sealed automatically and scanned to determine which Wal-Mart store they are destined for. The new design also allows for a more streamlined auditing process, which translates into additional savings and increased customer satisfaction for Cousin Corporation.
ROI
Based on conservative projections, the new system has an ROI of about one year. Back to Case Studies |
