WMS knits ops together
Hand knitting yarns firm The DMC Group has implemented a cloud-based WMS into its UK operation as part of a five year contract with SnapFulfil.
AS THE premier destination for needle crafting, The DMC Group distributes all Sirdar, Rowan, Wool and the Gang, plus Tilsatec products, and has moved to optimise inventory and distribution efficiencies at its 180,000 sq ft DC in Wakefield.
The DMC Group chose SnapFulfil WMS for its superior flexibility, functionality and configurability, plus its ability to interface seamlessly with the company’s existing ERP, shipping and carrier/parcel systems.
SnapFulfil was also the preferred solution because it optimises the process complexities of multi-chamber, multi-brand, cross-zone picking at the Wakefield site. This streamlining and automation of existing workflows will increase service and efficiency levels to its B2B, B2C, domestic and international export channels, as well as optimisation of inter-company channel servicing to DMC’s other distribution sites in the US and France.
The DMC Group logistics director, Duncan Aspden, says: “Having previously worked with large tier 1 providers, I understood that The DMC Group needed a more cost effective and responsive system, which would still deliver all the technological capability required. SnapFulfil’s dynamic rules-based engine will enable us to self-configure as required, for greater control and self-sufficiency.
“I also like the speed-to-value of the SnapFulfil solution, because it has quickly enabled us to deliver efficiency improvements across a number of our operational activities. SnapFulfil is a refreshingly different company to work with – agile, lean and more fluid.”
SnapFulfil CEO Tony Dobson, adds: “With a tight logistics plan in place, DMC’s go live was due just before the last Black Friday period and they were initially quite nervous. However, we worked very closely with them on some bespoke system modifications and functionality to de-risk the process. As a result, they achieved excellent peak volumes and a winning start, which can comfortably scale up as required to continue apace.”
14 DCs take remotely installed WMS
In further news, an online farmer-to-farmer and Ag tech company has fast-tracked expansion plans with a tailored ‘Self Implementation’ programme from SnapFulfil, that enables customers to onboard the solution themselves.
With demand for their products and services soaring, Farmers Business Network (FBN) needed to quickly increase its warehouse capacity with the opening of 14 new DCs across the American Midwest in 2021, while retaining greater cost, labour and inventory efficiencies.
The ability to remotely implement and self-configure the WMS was essential to overcome the challenges of the global pandemic, decrease rollout time, and provide FBN with greater control, more independence and internal system expertise.
{EMBED(1223564)}
The first DC to be onboarded, in Newton, Iowa, was sized 186,000 sq ft and quickly delivered vastly improved picking efficiencies. The automated approach also eliminated the number of people manually involved and – with an eye to the future – delivered a standardised and more professional process that workers across all subsequent sites could easily follow.
FBN’s system engineer, Darci Fluit, was initially schooled in both project control and project execution, including the likes of bespoke order transfer, stock management functionality, implementing the environment set up, rules engine configuration and all the staff training required via web conferencing.
Fluit said: “The SnapFulfil team are strong partners who provide clear instruction and advised me on how best to interview our operational staff about their specific order volume and storage requirements; then map out the intricacies of the processes needed and phased implementation from the very beginning.
“With each Go Live we saw increased speed and ease of implementation and by DC 5 we’d moved on to three simultaneous sites coming on stream, just a week apart. The robust programme we have in place makes it possible and the economies of scale implications are obvious. We’ve also been able to handle more complex integrations.”
For more information, visit www.snapfulfil.com
