Case Studies Using Automated Storage to Optimize Costs and Improve Quality

Edit This Case Study Record

	Using Automated Storage to Optimize Costs and Improve Quality

Using Automated Storage to Optimize Costs and Improve Quality

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Automation & Control - Automation & Process Control Systems Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
Applicable Industries	Food & Beverage Consumer Goods
Applicable Functions	Warehouse & Inventory Management Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases	Warehouse Automation Inventory Management Predictive Maintenance
Services	System Integration Software Design & Engineering Services Training
Challenge	In 2013, Trinchero Family Estates decided to centralize its bottling and distribution with its production in a new facility that would leverage automation. The facility had to support seamless product movement between production and distribution as well as accommodate products received from co-manufacturers and other TFE bottling sites. The primary challenge was achieving the throughput and speed desired. The goal was to run 3-4 bottling lines while also bringing in product from co-manufacturers and bottling sites in Napa Valley. They needed to move product into storage fast and ship fast. Other challenges included consolidating inventory from two distribution centers into one high-density location and providing visibility and control of product as it moved through bottling and distribution. Read More
About Customer	Trinchero Family Estates is a worldwide leader in the wine industry, with more than 45 acclaimed wine and spirits brands and a global presence in nearly 50 countries. The family-owned business has been passed through three generations of Trincheros since it was founded in 1947, expanding steadily as it grew sales and added brands. The Sutter Home brand alone has grown into one of the top wine brands in the U.S. with sales of more than 10 million cases annually. However, while the company was growing its portfolio and reach, inefficiencies crept into the supply chain. Bottling and distribution were spread across two facilities in Napa Valley, physically removed from the company’s largest wine production facility in Lodi, California. That required bulk wine to be shipped across the Napa Valley to be bottled and distributed from various facilities that relied upon classic manual storage and distribution operations. Read More
Solution	Trinchero engaged with Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions to develop an automated distribution system that could be integrated with bottling in a new facility in Lodi, California. They chose the Swisslog PowerStore system, a robotic storage and retrieval system designed for deep lane storage of palletized loads. The solution featured a four-module Swisslog PowerStore system and more than 3,500 feet of Swisslog ProMove conveyors connecting bottling and receiving with the PowerStore system. The PowerStore system provides high-density storage in nine vertical layers and intelligently manages inventory to optimize compaction and support first-in first-out management. The system can store more than 72,000 pallets—over 4 million cases—in just 190,000 square feet, with throughputs of up to 249 pallets per hour. Integration of Trinchero’s SAP system with the new Swisslog WMS allows for continuous communication, maintaining visibility and control over products as they transition from production and receiving into the automated storage system and through shipping. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Automation & Control - Automation & Process Control Systems

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Applicable Industries

Food & Beverage

Consumer Goods

Applicable Functions

Warehouse & Inventory Management

Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Warehouse Automation

Inventory Management

Predictive Maintenance

Services

System Integration

Software Design & Engineering Services

Training

Challenge

In 2013, Trinchero Family Estates decided to centralize its bottling and distribution with its production in a new facility that would leverage automation. The facility had to support seamless product movement between production and distribution as well as accommodate products received from co-manufacturers and other TFE bottling sites. The primary challenge was achieving the throughput and speed desired. The goal was to run 3-4 bottling lines while also bringing in product from co-manufacturers and bottling sites in Napa Valley. They needed to move product into storage fast and ship fast. Other challenges included consolidating inventory from two distribution centers into one high-density location and providing visibility and control of product as it moved through bottling and distribution.

About Customer

Trinchero Family Estates is a worldwide leader in the wine industry, with more than 45 acclaimed wine and spirits brands and a global presence in nearly 50 countries. The family-owned business has been passed through three generations of Trincheros since it was founded in 1947, expanding steadily as it grew sales and added brands. The Sutter Home brand alone has grown into one of the top wine brands in the U.S. with sales of more than 10 million cases annually. However, while the company was growing its portfolio and reach, inefficiencies crept into the supply chain. Bottling and distribution were spread across two facilities in Napa Valley, physically removed from the company’s largest wine production facility in Lodi, California. That required bulk wine to be shipped across the Napa Valley to be bottled and distributed from various facilities that relied upon classic manual storage and distribution operations.

Solution

Trinchero engaged with Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions to develop an automated distribution system that could be integrated with bottling in a new facility in Lodi, California. They chose the Swisslog PowerStore system, a robotic storage and retrieval system designed for deep lane storage of palletized loads. The solution featured a four-module Swisslog PowerStore system and more than 3,500 feet of Swisslog ProMove conveyors connecting bottling and receiving with the PowerStore system. The PowerStore system provides high-density storage in nine vertical layers and intelligently manages inventory to optimize compaction and support first-in first-out management. The system can store more than 72,000 pallets—over 4 million cases—in just 190,000 square feet, with throughputs of up to 249 pallets per hour. Integration of Trinchero’s SAP system with the new Swisslog WMS allows for continuous communication, maintaining visibility and control over products as they transition from production and receiving into the automated storage system and through shipping.

Impact #1	After consolidating inventory in the new integrated bottling and distribution facility, Trinchero has been able to reach its goal of moving 249 pallets per hour in and out of storage while maintaining complete control over inventory.
Impact #2	The new system has eliminated the need to ship product from wine production to bottling and minimized handling within the warehouse, saving transportation costs and minimizing product damage.
Impact #3	The system has also reduced warehouse forklift traffic, saving energy and enhancing warehouse safety.

Impact #1

After consolidating inventory in the new integrated bottling and distribution facility, Trinchero has been able to reach its goal of moving 249 pallets per hour in and out of storage while maintaining complete control over inventory.

Impact #2

The new system has eliminated the need to ship product from wine production to bottling and minimized handling within the warehouse, saving transportation costs and minimizing product damage.

Impact #3

The system has also reduced warehouse forklift traffic, saving energy and enhancing warehouse safety.

Benefit #1	The system can store more than 72,000 pallets—over 4 million cases—in just 190,000 square feet.
Benefit #2	The company is achieving a compaction rate of 89 percent.
Benefit #3	The automation system and software integration have improved inventory accuracy to 99.998 percent.

Benefit #1

The system can store more than 72,000 pallets—over 4 million cases—in just 190,000 square feet.

Benefit #2

The company is achieving a compaction rate of 89 percent.

Benefit #3

The automation system and software integration have improved inventory accuracy to 99.998 percent.

Download PDF Version

Overview

Using Automated Storage to Optimize Costs and Improve Quality

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit