Stock management improved

The installation of a warehouse management system improved first-in, first-out picking to ensure more effective management of stock for Harro Foods

Specialist Japanese food wholesaler Harro Foods has improved stock management and traceability following the introduction of the Empirica warehouse management system from Chess Logistics Technology. Empirica has been integrated with the company's accounting package to facilitate the use of historic as well as current data, enhance customer service and streamline internal processes.

The company relocated to its current head office and warehouse complex in South Wimbledon during 2006 when it had outgrown its previous premises due to the increased popularity of Japanese food with consumers.

"We are lucky to have a growing market because Japanese food is very attractive with a healthy, exotic and fresh image that has become more mainstream as people are exposed to it," says Branwyn Darlington.

The new facility covers 2,200m2 (23,500ft2) and is significantly larger and more complex than its predecessor. The company managed its operations using paper-based processes for a while after the relocation but came to realise that a computerised system would offer a number of benefits. At the time it was stocking around 1700 different products and making up to 150 deliveries a day during peak periods.

The business now has robust traceability based on criteria including item, bin location, and best-before date. It has been able to improve first-in, first-out picking to ensure more effective management of stock. Picking lists generated by Empirica allow warehouse staff to complete orders more quickly and with better overall accuracy and efficiency.Managers have a clear and up-to-date view of the stock and the warehouse operation on-screen whenever they want.

"Stock management is much better and the key numbers, such as the amount of out-of-date stock we write off, have improved significantly," says Branwyn Darlington. "Empirica has all the information which is so much easier than walking around the warehouse to look for a pallet.We can definitely see the benefits and it's hard to think how we managed before."