Volvo - Auto Industry

Volvo Parts North America, a division of Volvo Trucks North America, is based in Greensboro, North Carolina. As part of the Volvo Group, Volvo Trucks North America employs approximately 5,000 people. Volvo Parts North America employs 33 people in the Jacksonville, Florida distribution center, supplying truck parts, engines and cabs for Volvo commercial dealers throughout Florida, Georgia and eastern Alabama.

Volvo Parts North America made the decision to move its operation and employees from Atlanta, Georgia to a larger distribution center in Jacksonville. In looking for a material handling equipment provider, Volvo Parts North America required a company that could smoothly integrate new pallet rack and shelving equipment with existing equipment, primarily pallet racks and shelving from other facilities. The project also required a relatively short timeline.

Working with Volvo Parts North America, TriFactor had to determine how to best utilize Volvo’s existing equipment (pallet racks and shelving) and integrate it with new equipment seamlessly.

TriFactor also reviewed the provided layout plans throughout the facility, accommodating the pallet racks and shelving Volvo Parts North America needed to achieve its capacity goals and distribution efficiency objectives.

During the assessment, TriFactor met with the Volvo personnel, the architect, general contractor, and fire marshal to alter the material handling equipment layout, accommodating for building obstructions, capacity requirements and desired efficiency standards. The use of customized pallet rack equipment and high-bay automotive shelving with captive aisle rail guidance required a high degree of design and layout accuracy. Once completed, the system would allow Volvo Parts North America to use pickers at high elevations, maximizing pick efficiency with little risk of storage equipment damage.

The TriFactor team completed the project on time and on budget in June 2006, allowing Volvo Parts North America to make full and effective use of the facility. TriFactor integrated new and used equipment seamlessly, leaving Volvo with a facility that appears to be constructed using all new equipment, a significant challenge whenever both new and used equipment is introduced into a project. Volvo Parts North America was pleased with TriFactor’s proven capabilities, service and reliability. As a result, when additional material handling projects present themselves in Jacksonville and other facilities throughout the country, Volvo Parts North America will continue to look to TriFactor to recommend, design and install new material handling equipment.

36 months.

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