First Supply takes stock: Exotec system quadruples warehouse capacity on the same area

First Supply supplies craftsmen and construction companies with products for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology, sanitary, lighting, and water supply, as well as construction and industrial needs. To speed up order processing, the company relies on an automated storage and picking solution from Exotec in its new distribution center.

The "Skypod" system enables compact, vertical storage while simultaneously reducing the walking distances of employees. According to Exotec, this allows for four times the storage capacity on the same footprint compared to the previous solution. Additionally, the system features a 30 percent capacity reserve for future hardware expansions.

More than 14,000 items are handled through the automated solution. The picking speed, which is ten times higher than the previous manual processes, shortens processing times. At the same time, automation reduces the time employees need for walking distances in the warehouse.

Up to 20 Percent of Order Volume for the Following Day

According to the company, the changed warehouse processes also impact distribution. First Supply can supply its branch network with goods overnight and process orders for the following day. The prerequisite for delivery the next morning is an order receipt by 5 PM.

According to Exotec, orders for the following day account for up to 20 percent of the daily order volume in the new distribution center. The automated picking also helps First Supply manage seasonal and daily order peaks.

In further developing the location, the wholesaler relies on the expandability of the existing facility. The planned capacity reserves are intended to enable additional hardware without having to interrupt the ongoing warehouse operation for an extended period.