Features/Benefits Provided: Productivity increased by nearly 500% Enhanced picking efficiency. 56,000 sq. ft. of storage space recovered. Maximized worker comfort with ergonomic workstations. Substantially decreased chance of part damage

When the world's leading aircraft manufacturer won the contract to build the U.S. Airforce's newest transport aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster III, they needed to lower production costs, meet fast-approaching deadlines and attain a 15% internal rate of return on investment within 5 years. To accomplish this, they planned on increasing production from 12 to 15 aircraft per year without significantly adding employees.

After careful analysis of the company's ambitious goals and requirements, an integrated system was designed to meet and exceed requirements. The system, designed to deliver parts faster and more accurately, included a fully compatible warehouse management system software package as well as advanced features such as radio frequency scanning updates for simplified project tracking.

The heart of the company's new procedure is a carousel-based work-in-process system that includes 12 horizontal carousels arranged in 6 pods of 2 carousels each. They store 65% of warehouse inventory, with parts transported through the facility via 400 available totes on two-level conveyors.

With ergonomic workstations to maximize worker comfort and productivity, the company's employees are welcoming the new system. Accuracy in finding the parts needed has increased dramatically and picking efficiency has improved five times over the manual system. In addition, the new system has met ambitious inventory and consolidation goals.

With higher storage locations and space requirements for smaller parts minimized, total storage space has been reduced by 56,000 sq. ft. Plus, thanks to the advanced system, chance of part damage has substantially decreased.

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

P.O. Box 1608
Lewiston, ME 04241-1608
Phone: 207-784-1381 Fax: 207-786-0271
www.diamondphoenix.com