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Warehouse Automation and Mechanisation​

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+44 (0)1926 430 883

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With continuing pressure on warehouse labour costs and availability, interest in warehouse automation and mechanisation continues to increase.

Our specialist warehouse automation consultants are experienced in delivering warehouse automation and mechanisation projects across general merchandise, fashion, FMCG, food and industrial sectors.

Recent and current project include:

  • New build, large scale e-commerce fulfilment centre
  • European online retail DC
  • Automation of material flows in a bakery
  • Automation evaluation and implementation advice in a major meat packing factory 

Our Warehouse Automation Consultants and Programme Managers are experienced in technologies such as:

  • Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) including single, double and multi-deep pallet storage, carton / tote storage in mini-load and shuttle systems
  • Goods to person picking
  • Vertical lift / carousel
  • Zone picking
  • Bomb bay sorters, cross-belt sorters, shoe sorters, pocket sorters
  • Pallet and carton conveyor systems
  • Pallet lifts, lowerators etc.
  • Automated carton erection
  • Crate / tray washing

Our Warehouse Automation Services

As warehouse automation consultants, we help companies with automation projects to: 

Evaluate the appropriate level of automation / mechanisation

  • We will engage with the client to understand the business strategy and how the logistics strategy, including warehouse automation; can best support delivery of the strategy (e.g. cost vs service trade-offs, late cut-off aspirations, order collation etc.)
  • Our warehouse automation consultants will undertake an operational review of existing facilities, while in parallel analysing business data to understand the product range, material flows, stock and order profiles.
  • We will observe current processes, layout, equipment, systems and resources used and comment appropriately.
  • Based on our experience of warehouse automation,  associated capital and operating costs we will give a view on whether automation is likely to produce a satisfactory payback in financial terms, and what other advantages and disadvantages it may bring. 
  • We will suggest specific examples of warehouse automation and mechanisation that may work well in the operation (or a new operation) and give indications of capital costs and the effect on operating budgets.

Requirements definition and Support to Concept Design

  • Our warehouse automation consultants will fully define the client’s requirements for warehouse automation equipment and systems
  • We will undertake a concept design and / or work with equipment vendors to do so, bringing to bear our experience and analytical approach
  • Outputs will include warehouse sizing, layout, CAD drawings, capital and operating cost schedules, proposed systems and processes
  • All the details required to achieve board sign-off of business case

Vendor selection and engagement

  • We will advise on appropriate vendors to approach
  • We will engage with vendors on behalf of clients to ensure good communications – increasing vendor engagement is key to getting a good automation solution at a competitive price
  • We will run a warehouse automation vendor selection process using procurement best practices and avoiding the confusion that often occurs when clients try to assess competing offers

Implementation support

  • We will provide continuity of support through the detailed design process
  • Our warehouse automation consultants will provide support to the Functional Design Specification process for Warehouse Control System (WCS) and Warehouse Management System (WMS), acting as a bridge between Operations, IT and vendor stakeholders
  • We will act as ‘The Engineer’ under the MF/1 (or similar) contract

Programme Management

  • We will deploy an experienced Programme Manager to deliver the programme, typically including several workstreams (e.g. Operations, IT, People, Building, BAU)
  • Our Programme Manager will set up a suitable governance structure, including steering committee; risk management framework; issues, action and decision logs
  • Our senior level consulting team members will retain involvement in a design authority role, attending project steering group meetings to ensure objectivity and continuity

Think the SCCG team are the right fit for your business?
Drop us a line today and lets improve your operation efficiency.

FAQs

Building transport, inventory and location strategies around your customer service goals. Developing a logistics infrastructure that meets your business goals.

Our knowledgeable Supply Chain Consultants have built Cost-to-Serve models to allow companies to unlock hidden profit potential by understanding the costs involved in serving specific customers and products. Understanding each clients’ individual priorities and the specific complexities of each business; The SCCG team carefully utilise specific models, in order to custom-build solutions for each client.

Synonymous with Supply Chain is Inventory Optimisation, for which our Supply Chain Consultants use ‘Inventory Modelling’ to establish the correct level of stock for any given situation – balancing the need to maintain a high-level of customer service with the desire to minimise working capital.

As part of the Global Supply Chain – Import, Export and Logistics – is the part of the supply chain processes that plans, implements, and controls the efficient, effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customs and customer requirements.

Inventory modelling can be used to define the correct stocking policy for a large range of SKUs – for example, which SKUs should be stocked in local branches, and which should be held in one national centre.

Clients Case Studies

Weston Homes Case Study

The Supply Chain Consulting Group completes Warehouse Design and Optimisation Founded by Bob Weston in 1987, Weston Homes Plc (Weston) are a large and successful property construction company providing high specification traditional style homes, apartment blocks, large complexes; and refurbishments……
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Weidmann Case Study

The Supply Chain Consulting Group Review Warehouse Operations For Weidman Weidmann Electrical Technologies (Weidmann) are a division of the WICOR Group based in Switzerland. In the UK, Weidmann have two divisions, electrical components and a papermill for the production of……
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Warehouse Review and WMS Selection

Warehouse Review and WMS selection for a Creative Agency

Company and Project Background A creative branded merchandise agency that helps global brands build culture, awareness and meaningful connections with their customers, employees and communities across 150 countries worldwide, approached SCCG to review their current warehouse operations and systems. Objectives……
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Davis and shirtliff

Warehouse Design Project for Davis and Shirtliff

Davis & Shirtliff (D&S) is the largest water-related equipment supplier and industry leader in the East African region. Based in Kenya, D&S operates through a network of 70 different branches within the country, whilst exporting to different regional affiliates in……
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Wacoal (Formerly Eveden Group) Case Study

The Supply Chain Consulting Group Implement Standard Global S&OP Platform Wacoal (formerly known as Eveden Group) is a leading manufacturer of intimate apparel, offering various brands including Huit, Fantasie and Freya. Wacoal designs and manufactures high quality, fashion conscious lingerie……
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Volvo Group Case Study

Volvo Group Choose The Supply Chain Consulting Group Volvo Construction Equipment (a division of Volvo Group UK Ltd) has a warehouse operation in Duxford that supplies parts and equipment directly to end customers nationwide and to regional Customer Support Centres.……
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Triumph Motorcycles

Triumph Motorcycles Case Study

The Supply Chain Consulting Group Race Towards A Global Logistics Triumph Triumph Motorcycles engaged The Supply Chain Consulting Group (SCCG) to review and develop their consolidated Global freight and Logistics strategy, with the objective of engaging a single Logistics Service……
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ToffeIn Case Study

The Supply Chain Consulting Group Conducts Internal Process Review For ToffeIn  Toffeln is one of the world’s leading experts in the design and manufacture of specialist ergonomic design footwear for professionals working indoors in hygienic environments such as hospitals, kitchens,……
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Get in Touch

Call us on +44(0) 1926 430 883​

Supply chain and Logistics Specialists highly experienced in all aspects of Supply Chain and Logistics Operations, Distribution Network Strategy, Warehousing Operations, e-commerce Logistics and Warehouse and Distribution Centre Design.