Sortation system for Best & Less distribution centre
Crisplant chosen to supply sortation system for new distribution centre in Sydney
- System based on Crisplant’s LS-4000CB sorter
- Fulfils need for higher sorting capacity
- First time Best & Less has automated material handling
Crisplant has been awarded a contract by Australian family apparel retailer Best & Less, to supply an automatic cross docking sorting solution for its new distribution centre located in Eastern Creek, Sydney.
The need for Best & Less to change from manual to automatic sorting with highly optimised workflow processes came as the company prepares to handle future growth. The system is built around Crisplant’s low-energy LS-4000CB Cross-Belt sorter, controlled and supervised by a CSC Sorter Control system and featuring a user-friendly interface from the Crisplant software suite. Crisplant was chosen as the supplier because it could provide the best and most cost-efficient system configuration, having a flexible and upgradeable design, which included the company’s new and innovative ‘green’ sorter technology.
To consolidate and cope with its growing business, Best & Less constructed a purpose-built Distribution Centre to warehouse items for all its stores. The new building and Crisplant’s sorter have both been designed for future expansion. The current sorter design level has a capacity of more than 10,000 items/hour and future expansion of the sortation system can easily be implemented by adding more induction lines and also upgrading the sorter speed.
When designing the new sorting system, one of the main challenges for Crisplant was to solve a well-known warehouse challenge – the internal storage, transport and sorting of items with the minimum of handling. Best & Less‘ Distribution Centre primarily handles full carton orders for their own stores and the Crisplant sorter design includes the cross-docking of these items as well as the ability to handle future split carton items for store replenishment. The new sorter also helps improve internal transport and all operator stations are designed to optimise a safe and ergonomic working environment. Sort Chutes were developed in cooperation between Crisplant and Best & Less to find the exact solution to fit ergonomic as well as operational needs. The prototype was tested and adjusted by Best & Less employees before being put into production.
The project is scheduled for completion in October 2011.
***About Crisplant and the BEUMER Group***
Member of BEUMER Group, Crisplant is a leading provider of sortation solutions worldwide. Crisplant provides solutions and lifetime support for airports, postal facilities, parcel distribution and warehouse and distribution centres. Crisplant has led and delivered projects that include many of the world's largest and most advanced material handling operations, being fully supported by their global network of Customer Service & Support centres. The BEUMER Group is a leading international manufacturer of intralogistic systems specialising in conveying and loading technology, palletising and packaging technology as well as in sortation and distribution systems. Having approx. 2.000 employees and a turnover of around EUR 350 million, BEUMER Group has, with subsidiaries and representations, a worldwide presence for various industries. For further information please visit us on: www.crisplant.com and www.BEUMER.com.