Robots help 3PL manage promos

Howard Tenens chief executive officer Jamie Hartles explains: “The work at our Ashby-de-la-Zouch site is very promotion-led and as the contract grew we found our day 1 for day 2 offering was stretching out due to labour constraints and pick complexity. We wouldn’t always hit SLAs.

“After a tender process, we engaged with 6 River Systems and its Chuck cobot. It is effectively an automated carrying solution which directs the picker to each pick face. Importantly, it allows pickers to can pick multiple orders at a time, into different trays. It also eliminates paperwork. Laden Chucks move to the packing benches, and new Chucks arrive automatically in the pick area, so the pickers can continually pick. This has increased pick productivity and accuracy, driving down cost-per-pick dramatically.”

Howard Tenens carried out significant planning and analysis prior to the project and was rewarded with a smooth implementation. As training is very simple on the Chucks, the firm had gone beyond its expectations within three days of implementation. The bots allowed the site to increase its core staff and reduce dependence on agency workers.

Jamie sees the project as a significant milestone for the firm and offered his thoughts on possible automated deployments in the future.

“There was no need for a high building with very good floors, which is the case with ASRS style automated systems. so that was positive. We are always looking at further investments in tech as ways to help staff do their jobs better.

“For example, we are investigating drones for stock checking, and also looking at smaller automated putaway solutions. The cost of the heavier automated high bay solutions seems to be coming down, which is a positive thing, otherwise they are not practical in certain situations. 

“We are also interested in the future of automated forklifts. Part of the engagement with our supplier Linde touched on this. Some of the stuff they are doing with automated counterbalances and reach trucks is really impressive.”

For more information, visit www.tenens.com