Year in Review: Materials handling system reports from 2011

Modern featured a dozen system reports in 2011. These stories offered readers a look at the business model and system designs that serve as a tangible example of how end users have put the equipment to work to increase productivity in their facility. Covering manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facilities, solutions this year celebrated automatic guided vehicles, lift trucks, supply chain software, voice technology, conveyor and sortation, automation and more.

January 2011
Tastykake bakes up materials handling success
Voice recognition technology is speeding fresh-baked goods through Tastykake’s new state-of-the-art bakery in Philadelphia.

February 2011
Simon & Schuster writes book on distribution
Warehouse improvements allowed Simon & Schuster to synchronize manual processes

March 2011
Coke’s new take on voice technology
To revitalize its distribution processes, Coca-Cola Refreshments U.S.A. implemented a VoIP-based voice technology that enables 3,000 warehouse associates in 100 facilities.

April 2011
Otis Technology goes lean with materials handling
Mobile robots, an AS/RS and supply chain software transformed this manufacturer’s processes.

May 2011
The sky’s the limit for Genco ATC with new optical RTLS
A unique optical RTLS system has led to dramatic productivity improvements at Genco ATC’s returns center in McDonough, Ga.

June 2011
Automation: febi bilstein automates distribution
German auto parts manufacturer febi bilstein is reaping big gains from materials handling automation. Here’s what the company learned when it automated conventional distribution processes.

July 2011
Supply Chain Software: Rocky Brands steps up productivity
When footwear maker Rocky Brands integrated its WMS and WCS, the results were improved visibility, better inventory control, and impressive productivity gains.

August 2011
System Report: At the Container Store, lift trucks contain the chaos
The retailer’s lift truck distributor played a key role in optimizing a new distribution center and securing a 30% improvement in process time.

September 2011
Oriental Trading Company gets its warehouse under control
The large, direct-to-consumer retailer’s new warehouse relies on a sophisticated warehouse control system to pick up to 400,000 items a day.

October 2011
Random House cuts turnaround in half
Thanks to a new tilt-tray sortation system, Random House is beating the competition to market and improving turnaround times by nearly 50%.

November 2011
John Deere: Nothing runs like an AGV
On its Iowa manufacturing campus, John Deere is using AGVs to move tractor cabs down the assembly line. The result has been savings in labor, a safer work environment and improved quality.

December 2011
Skechers tones up distribution center
AS/RS and cross-belt sortation are speeding cartons through Skechers’ new 1.8-million-square-foot DC and setting the stage for growth.