MSC
System Summary
MSC Industrial Supply Company is a worldwide distributor specializing in supplies, tools, and equipment forsmall and medium-size customers in the manufacturing and metalworking industries.
Business Challenge
- With over 500,000 SKU’s and next day shipment on orders, an efficient picking and pack out process is vital to business operations
- Need to add 20% more pack station capacity
- Expand existing system’s throughput by 20%
- Phased implementation to not impact existing daily orders
Key Technology
- ASAP Exacta Warehouse Control System using a remote AS 400 on DB2
- Light Directed Picking or Pick To Light encompassing 14 bays of flow rack
- Automated Manifest automatically weighs and manifests shipping containers to a carrier
- RF Picking and Putaway
- 300 ft. long TGW-Ermanco Narrow Belt Sorter traveling at 230 ft./minute and sorting 90 cartons/minute Zero Pressure Gravity Accumulation Conveyor
- Blue Arc Engineering Vertical Tote Lifts that handles 4 totes/minute
Results
- MSC has successfully employed the Exacta System in their Elkhart, Indiana and Reno, Nevada facilities.
- The company is now able to accurately pick orders and ensure same-day shipping to customers.
- There has been a 30% increase in throughput for the pack stations.
- ASAP has incorporated 45% more pack stations without having to expand the existing pack mezzanine.
- MSC has experienced a 95% increase in tote accumulation for the pack lanes.
