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Bridgford Foods Corporation
AS/RS Case Study
With the hectic pace at which today's business transactions occur, highly efficient and effective warehousing and distribution systems are integral to a company's success at getting products into their customers hands. Maintaining accurate inventories and streamlining order filling processes is more important than ever. As a result, companies are relying more heavily on advanced warehousing systems to help get their goods to customers on time every time.
One such company is Bridgford Foods Corporation, a top producer of frozen bread products, shelf stable dry and semi dry sausage products, and an assortment of frozen microwave-ready sandwiches. Recently, capacity problems with the company's deep freeze warehousing in Dallas, Texas required them to reconsider their distribution strategy. Bridgford's Executive Board wanted to keep production and distribution processes in the Dallas area, since the bulk of their customer base is located there. However, limited storage space and increased production made remaining there seem next to impossible.
Through a custom configured Automated Storage & Retrieval System (AS/RS) supplied by Westfalia Technologies, Inc. of York, PA, Bridgford was able to implement new logistics solutions in their existing facility and maintain their convenient location to their customer base.
Bridgford's goals during the renovation process included: maximizing storage volume within a specified area, increasing productivity by linking the warehouse directly to production, providing as many full pallet order selection faces as possible, and reducing costly labor inside the harsh environment of a freezer. Westfalia realized these limitations could be overcome, but only by a thorough reorganization of storage and logistics. The problem not only involved increasing storage capacity within a limited space, but also filling logistic gaps between existing facilities as well as optimizing the handling process of assigned storage and distribution.
Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS)
Intensive discussion and analysis of existing problems and requirements pointed to the absolute necessity of automating their distribution processes. As a solution, a decision was reached to install an automatic high-density storage system.
System Features:
- 1 Storage & Retrieval Machine (SRM)
- 2,400 pallet positions
- Warehouse Control System/Management Software
- Input/Output Conveyors
- -5° F
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