Features/Benefits Provided:   Flexibility to ship full pallets, mixed pallets and box orders from one DC. First-in, first-out order filling for guaranteed freshness. 100% real-time inventory control. Precise automated handling.

One of the leading beef suppliers in the country found it required a fast, flexible distribution system with precise inventory control to keep up with growth and severe customer demands. They requested help to assist them in developing a state of the art material flow system with all components designed for efficient material flow and reliability in a refrigerated environment (28o F.)

This new system allows them to sort, store and ship boxes using high-speed automated sorters, conveyors, buffers and advanced control software. Every box is tracked real time and the customer orders are filled accurately and delivered on schedule. This system was designed to accommodate full and mixed pallet loads and mixed loads of hand-stacked individual boxes. It consists of a four-aisle Unit Load automated buffer with 1,200 storage locations, an eight-aisle MSS II high speed buffer box with 3,500 storage locations and an eight-aisle Mini Load automated buffer with 23,600 storage locations as well as a two-level conveyor system with shoe sorters.

Primary cuts of beef are Cryrovac-wrapped and packed in boxes containing the same product. The boxes are boar code labeled with the product cut, grade and net weight, which can be up to 110 lbs. A conveyor system transports the boxes into the 28o F distribution center where it laser scans the bar code label and updates the inventory.

The destination of each box is determined and then sorted to accumulation lanes to be palletized, stored in a mini-load buffer until a full pallet can be accumulated or stored in a MSS II box buffer for individual orders. Boxes that are to be palletized are sent to one of 20 accumulation conveyors. When a full pallet load is accumulated, the boxes are released to an automatic palletizer. The pallet loads are stretch wrapped for stability then a conveyor system transports the wrapped pallets to a unit load buffer.

As trucks for pallet loaded goods arrive, the system retrieves the required pallets and delivers the pallet to an output conveyor where a lift truck loads the pallet onto a truck. This entire system operates with real time control software that interfaces to the company’s host computer.

This system has made it possible for this company to become a world class distribution facility that is able to process tens of thousands of boxes of beef every day. Now you’ll know that you are getting fresh beef the next time you are at the grocery store!

is a Proud Member of the AS/RS Product Section of Material Handling Industry of America

5202 Douglas Corrigan Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Toll Free: 800-253-1003  |  Phone: 801-359-9900  |  Fax: 801-359-9911
info@DaifukuAmerica.com
www.DaifukuAmerica.com