Case Studies GEM Products’ Efficiency Hinges on RF-SMART Automation

Edit This Case Study Record

	GEM Products’ Efficiency Hinges on RF-SMART Automation

GEM Products’ Efficiency Hinges on RF-SMART Automation

Technology Category	Automation & Control - Automation & Process Control Systems Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
Applicable Industries	Marine & Shipping
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation Warehouse & Inventory Management
Use Cases	Inventory Management Predictive Maintenance Remote Asset Management Warehouse Automation
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration Training
Challenge	GEM Products Inc. faced significant challenges with their outdated warehouse management system. The company had outgrown their encumberment system, which was difficult to maintain and update. The warehouse was not utilizing bins properly and relied heavily on the knowledge of the warehouse staff to know where inventory was located and what was on-hand. This manual process led to errors and mistakes that took time to follow-up and correct. When GEM Products Inc. moved into a new larger facility in 2018, they decided it was time to invigorate their warehouse processes with modern technology. They needed a solution that could provide accurate real-time inventory and improve overall efficiency. Read More
About Customer	Established in 1961, GEM Products Inc. is a leading provider of stainless steel hinges, latches, steering wheels, cleats, and other premium marine-grade products for the marine industry. The company has been under its current ownership since 1980 and has consistently pushed to exceed the highest quality standards and innovate in marine hardware. In 1998, GEM Products developed the GEMLUX® Process, which enhances product luster, corrosion resistance, and guarantees product longevity with proper maintenance. Over the past four decades, GEM Products has created numerous innovative patents and has seen consistent growth and product expansion since 2009. The company moved to a new, larger facility in 2018 to accommodate its growth and modernize its operations. Read More
Solution	GEM Products Inc. selected RF-SMART’s Native solution for their new warehouse management system. RF-SMART provided the necessary functionality, including wave picking and batch picking, which were critical for GEM’s needs. The implementation of RF-SMART began on the day the new warehouse opened, with the RF-SMART team providing extensive support and training. GEM initially used functionalities such as putaway replenishment, preferred bins, assembly work for light manufacturing, sales order picking, shipping, and receiving. As they saw a 30-40% increase in efficiency, they explored additional RF-SMART functionalities like Pick Planner, which further optimized their picking processes. GEM also integrated a vertical lift machine (VLM) with RF-SMART to increase storage density and expedite picking with full inventory oversight. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Automation & Control - Automation & Process Control Systems

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems

Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Applicable Industries

Marine & Shipping

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Warehouse & Inventory Management

Use Cases

Inventory Management

Predictive Maintenance

Remote Asset Management

Warehouse Automation

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Training

Challenge

GEM Products Inc. faced significant challenges with their outdated warehouse management system. The company had outgrown their encumberment system, which was difficult to maintain and update. The warehouse was not utilizing bins properly and relied heavily on the knowledge of the warehouse staff to know where inventory was located and what was on-hand. This manual process led to errors and mistakes that took time to follow-up and correct. When GEM Products Inc. moved into a new larger facility in 2018, they decided it was time to invigorate their warehouse processes with modern technology. They needed a solution that could provide accurate real-time inventory and improve overall efficiency.

About Customer

Established in 1961, GEM Products Inc. is a leading provider of stainless steel hinges, latches, steering wheels, cleats, and other premium marine-grade products for the marine industry. The company has been under its current ownership since 1980 and has consistently pushed to exceed the highest quality standards and innovate in marine hardware. In 1998, GEM Products developed the GEMLUX® Process, which enhances product luster, corrosion resistance, and guarantees product longevity with proper maintenance. Over the past four decades, GEM Products has created numerous innovative patents and has seen consistent growth and product expansion since 2009. The company moved to a new, larger facility in 2018 to accommodate its growth and modernize its operations.

Solution

GEM Products Inc. selected RF-SMART’s Native solution for their new warehouse management system. RF-SMART provided the necessary functionality, including wave picking and batch picking, which were critical for GEM’s needs. The implementation of RF-SMART began on the day the new warehouse opened, with the RF-SMART team providing extensive support and training. GEM initially used functionalities such as putaway replenishment, preferred bins, assembly work for light manufacturing, sales order picking, shipping, and receiving. As they saw a 30-40% increase in efficiency, they explored additional RF-SMART functionalities like Pick Planner, which further optimized their picking processes. GEM also integrated a vertical lift machine (VLM) with RF-SMART to increase storage density and expedite picking with full inventory oversight.

Impact #1	Preferred bins have improved picking efficiency.
Impact #2	Pick times reduced from 3 minutes to 1 minute.
Impact #3	Picking errors have decreased.

Impact #1

Preferred bins have improved picking efficiency.

Impact #2

Pick times reduced from 3 minutes to 1 minute.

Impact #3

Picking errors have decreased.

Benefit #1	30-40% increase in efficiency.
Benefit #2	Pick times reduced from 3 minutes to 1 minute.
Benefit #3	Increased line items shipped by 23%.

Benefit #1

30-40% increase in efficiency.

Benefit #2

Pick times reduced from 3 minutes to 1 minute.

Benefit #3

Increased line items shipped by 23%.

Download PDF Version

Overview

GEM Products’ Efficiency Hinges on RF-SMART Automation

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit