OMNI CHANNEL DISTRIBUTION
Navigating Omni channel distribution efficiently can be
challenging, particularly amidst a global pandemic with
unexpected shifts between channels.
As E-Commerce skyrocketed and brick and mortar sales
generally declined, many operations have been forced to
switch gears and put any available technologies through all
kinds of stress tests.
THE FRENCH CLOTHING COMPANY LACOSTE, WAS NO EXCEPTION. THEIR E-COMM GREW BY
The systems in place were more automated to handle the higher volumes for Retail utilizing SDI’s higher speed automated unit sorters, while the lower volume DTC orders were processed utilizing SDI’s Put Wall technology.
The Put Walls proved to be pivotal, enabling LACOSTE’s partner, American Consolidation Inc., to handily process the huge increase in Direct-To-Consumer orders.
Fulfilling these orders resulted in a significantly greater number of sku’s with less units to be picked. The put wall methodology enables batch picking to multiple walls, thereby reducing picking labor.
The original Put Wall System was designed to be easily expanded and was installed in 2015. It had 50 cubbies– one cubby per order. Since the start of this spike, three other put walls have been added, and they’ve assigned a cubby for singles.
THEIR CHANNELS EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE REVERSAL, SWITCHING FROM
“The simplicity of the system is magnificent.”
Justin Bellezza, EVP of American Consolidation
The system was designed to process up to 10,000 units per day, but they’ve been processing about 12,000 per day during the pandemic, and more could be added if needed.
The diagrammatic screen on the rear face of the cubbies indicate when orders are completed. Once an order is packed it travels on to an in-line scale and automatic print and apply system (PandA) on its way to shipping. The packing process very easy and highly efficient.
What has proven key for them is having a scalable system that’s easy to operate. “The put walls are easy to expand and shrink as needed,” Jim Casson, VP of Operations at American Consolidation, said. “Perhaps as important, the ease and simplicity of the process makes training associates very easy.”
