Food Logistics serves the entire food supply chain industry with targeted content for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.
Issue link: https://foodlogistics.epubxp.com/i/226899
C O V E R Phase I of the project will accommodate 9,000 pallet positions, says Tipton, while Phase II will add more pallet positions. One of the most interesting features of the new automated warehouse—and one that physically links it to the CNP facility across the highway—is an enclosed overhead bridge that supports the continuous 'loop' of product and pallets moving back and forth between the CNP facility and the new automated warehouse. Product will eventually travel at 600 feet per minute between the two facilities, explains Tipton. Not only does the design illustrate the PAS team's creative abilities and engineering expertise, it's also an indicator of the company's willingness to think outside the box and customize solutions for individual clients. PAS's largest project to date was announced in September, when California-based Trinchero Family Estates tapped the company to install its flagship solutions—PowerStor, PowerStage, and PASWare— in a new, modern bottling and warehousing facility Trinchero is building in Lodi, Calif. The first phase of the installation includes 54,000 pallets, although more than 72,000 pallets of wine will eventually be stored and moved through Trinchero's new facility. The launch is set for January 2014 with full operations scheduled to be underway by June 2015. According to a PAS press release: "Trinchero Family Estates chose the PAS CTVL system over traditional stacker cranes (AS/RS). The PAS solutions fulfilled Trinchero's requirements for versatility, simplicity, transfer speeds, safety and energy usage." PAS also designed the system to meet Trinchero's requirements to have palletized wine enter on one side of the warehouse and exit to the shipping docks on the other side without compromising throughput. PERFORMANCE IN MOTION Download our Temperature-Controlled Transportation Report for vital industry data. 1-800-669-6765 24 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 www.RWItrans.com • FOOD LOGISTICS S T O R Y "This is achieved through the use of simultaneous and independent movement of the multiple robotic vehicles (carts) throughout the storage structure while being continuously managed and monitored via the PAS proprietary software," added PAS in the press release. Goya Foods & Manhattan Associates New Jersey-based Goya Foods is the largest Hispanic-owned food company—and also one of the fastest-growing—in the U.S. Considering the growing Hispanic population in the U.S. is second only to Mexico, the future prospects for Goya's products, which range from canned beans to spices and other prepared products, is undeniably bright. Goya is decidedly different from other food companies though, and not only because of its niche products. One example is the company's direct store delivery (DSD) model. At first, this model seems inefficient, but in reality, it reinforces Goya's commitment and close relationship to its retailers and customers. Many of Goya's retail outlets are small markets in neighborhoods with a predominantly Hispanic population. Sales staff visit each outlet to stock and reorder the precise mix of product for every market, which can vary significantly from one city block to the next. The approach has nurtured brand loyalty for Goya both from retailers and customers who are looking for a 'taste of home.' The direct store delivery model coupled with Goya's ongoing growth eventually prompted the company to reevaluate its technology requirements, mentioned vice president Peter Unanue during an interview with Food Logistics. After an extensive vetting process, Goya chose Manhattan Associates' warehouse management system (WMS) and transportation, planning and execution (TP&E;) solutions to assist in managing its business, including the forecasting and replenishment functions, said Unanue. As of September, Goya had implemented Manhattan Associates' solutions at five out its 11 distribution centers across the U.S., he added, with the rollout ongoing. Meanwhile, the new technology tools also allow Goya to better support its direct store delivery model. "When our sales staff is in the retail outlet, he can take the order and transmit it to the system, where we check for credit and inventory availability," says Unanue. "That same day or evening, we'll start picking the order, loading the truck, and it's delivered the following morning." Goya also does its transportation bidding more frequently now using the TP&E; solution, which has saved the company a "substantial amount of money because we're now able to lock-in rates," says Unanue. Inventory management has also become easier with the WMS. "We used to do an inventory once or twice a year, and it was painful," Unanue admits. "But now, we can do cycle counting every day." Furthermore, the software and technology is key to facilitating Goya's plans to include perishable goods, like cheeses, to its product line, says Unanue. "In the last year or so, we've been adding products that have a shorter shelf life and we're looking to continue that because we see advantages there," he says. Looking ahead, Unanue expects Goya's software and technology strategy to incorporate more sales tools and reporting analytics. The personal interactions between Goya's sales staff and market owners yields tremendous "human intelligence" that is valuable to the company. "And, we definitely need to utilize that more," he concludes. ◆ www.foodlogistics.com