For both the e-commerce and fashion sectors, logistics efficiency means a balance of the lowest handling cost with the greatest flexibility and – given the high cost of returns – exceptionally high accuracy. Through the award of a number of major orders, KNAPP continues to demonstrate how warehouse automation is unrivalled in meeting the supply chain needs of the e-tail and fashion sectors.
E-com expertise
With e-commerce characterised by a large number of orders but a small quantity of items per order and pick windows being squeezed as online ordering deadlines become later, the case for automation to maximise warehouse performance becomes compelling. Controlled by intelligent software, automated handling systems allow retailers to achieve economies of scale through batch picking of orders and yet synchronise flows of goods to fulfil individual orders. One solution for the sequencing of batch-picked goods is KNAPP’s OSR Shuttle™, which combines shuttle storage technology with ergonomically designed picking stations. Here, pick-to-light technology is used to pick goods into multiple totes – each containing a separate customer order – with light curtains able to detect when goods are placed into the wrong tote. An alternative solution for the sequencing of batch-picked goods is KNAPP’s Pick-it-Easy Pocket. This award-winning concept allows flat-packed goods and hanging garments to be processed together – for the first time – on the same system. The solution consists of hanging pockets – suitable for flat-packed clothes, shoes, accessories, books, DVDs or toys – that are conveyed to a matrix sorter so that they arrive at the packing stations in the correct sequence to collate each customer’s order. The pockets can be fitted with RFID tags and the solution can process up to 10,000 items an hour.
Fluent in fashion
Large and fast-changing product ranges, as well as dramatic seasonal fluctuations, mean that the fashion industry also has demanding logistics requirements. Automation again shows its strengths when it comes to the need to balance distribution capacity between replenishing retail stores, fulfilling online orders and dealing efficiently with returns. In the fashion sector, KNAPP’s position is strengthened by the technology and expertise of group company, Dürkopp Fördertechnik, the market leader in garment conveying and sortation equipment. Dürkopp’s overhead conveying solutions for hanging garments are used by many blue-chip retailers including Marks and Spencer, ASDA, John Lewis, Primark, Debenhams, Zara, H&M, Sainsbury’s and Next.
KNAPP UK Ltd
Tel: 01844 202149
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