Features/Benefits Provided: System Reduces Floor Space up to 90% While Increasing Productivity and Customer Service. Storage Density Increased by 50% and Inventory by 40% While Producing Higher Pick Rates.

Before building a new facility to house the parts department for their steadily growing business, one of the largest automobile dealerships in America wanted to be sure it could accommodate its growing business. They selected a vertical carousel system to maximize overhead space, to access parts more quickly and to simplify overall inventory management. The dealership needed about 5,000 square feet of additional space to store parts on bins (conventional shelving) and realized that a vertical carousel system could store the same number of items in less than 500 square feet. The cost of building the additional 5,000 square feet and buying the carousel system were about the same. When they considered the productivity benefits, the carousel was by far the best investment. They knew they'd be going in this direction sooner or later and the pending construction gave them good reason to do it sooner!

Parts inventory grew steadily with its business. In addition to supplying the 65 technicians in the auto/truck repair and body shop service areas, the inventory supported both their wholesale and retail sales operations. Fielding the orders were five retail and two wholesale counter salespersons as well as five counter salespersons staffing the telephones. Instead of walking to the window to place the order, technicians now enter the orders from terminals in their repair area. This process has eliminated the need to conduct weekly manual inventory. By not having to walk and search to pick parts, the counter technicians can spend more time on the phone and face-to-face with the customers. Instead of having to wade through 5,000 square feet of shelving, the pickers now work an area that is less than 500 square feet! Forming the storage area are three vertical carousels, each about 20 feet high, 11 feet wide and 5.5 deep. Two of the carousels face each other, with a 6-foot walkway between them. The third carousel adjoins one of the others, forming a 22-foot wall and faces the space reserved for a planned fourth carousel.

Overall, the vertical carousel system has exceeded their expectations. It has already improved productivity and will be able to support expansion of an additional 12 to 15 technicians in the future. All of this has to have a positive impact on customer service. The technicians can stay focused on their repair projects and the counter sales personnel can spend more time with customers.

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