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Hershey's Ice Cream
AS/RS Case Study
Cost Cuts and Optimal Pick Productivity Result of Hershey Creamery's Automated Warehouse System from Westfalia Technologies
Since 1894, family founded and owned Hershey Creamery has specialized in bulk ice cream and ice cream novelties. The company distributes to more than 22,000 retail outlets such as grocery and convenience stores, but focuses mainly on direct-store delivery.
In order to optimize material flow, reduce logistics costs and labor requirements, Hershey Creamery sought Westfalia Technologies to design, build and implement a automated warehousing system for their ice cream distribution center located in Middletown, PA. The distribution center needed to handle the volume of smaller direct-store deliveries and larger orders for Hershey's regional warehouses, while maintaining selectivity for numberous stock keeping units (SKUs).
To accomplish this goal, a 5,000 pallet position, eight storage level automated warehouse system was constructed. The system has a combination of seven- and five-deep storage lanes that are serviced by two aisles. Each aisle contains a SRM capable of handling approximately 70 pallets per hour. All pallets are triple supported within the rack structure, thus eliminating pallet deflection.
With the installation of the AS/RS, Hershey Creamery has been able to deliver its products faster and more efficiently, resulting in higher throughputs and lower costs.
System Features:
- 2 Storage / Retrieval Machines (SRM)
- 770 linear feet of conveyors
- 5,000 pallet positions
- 8-level rack system
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