March 26 2014
Wirtz Beverage Illinois wins Productivity Achievement Awards
Highlighted in the March 2014 edition of Modern Materials Handling Magazine, Wirtz Beverage Illinois was recognized as one of the top companies that have made "outstanding operational improvements through material handling systems and related information systems." Wirtz was a finalist in both the Warehousing/Distribution categories along with the Innovation category.
Operating as a family-owned business, Wirtz Beverage Illinois consolidated three facilities into one new 555,000-square-foot distribution center adding automation to the mix. Wirtz worked with Westfalia and W&H Systems to develop an integrated automated warehouse solution including an AS/RS, voice-directed picking and high-speed sortation, taking a lead in wine and spirits distribution.
Wirtz was recognized under the Warehousing/Distribution category for their "ability to provide outstanding customer service, quickly respond to changing business conditions, deliver orders that meet customer requirements, and improve operations." Wirtz tied with another company for the Innovation category where they were recognized for successfully employing a solution that defies convention. In addition to above achievements in productivity, throughput, or efficiency, Wirtz was also judged on how projects inside thefour walls enable or complement the broader business objectives of the company.