December 11 2014
Westfalia Technologies Automates Southern Wine & Spirits of America’s Union City Facility
Utilizing Westfalia’s AS/RS technology and Savanna.NET® warehousing software, the Union City facility is one of the most technologically advanced in the beverage alcohol industry
Westfalia Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of logistics solutions for manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers since 1992, announces the opening of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.’s newly automated facility in Union City, Calif. Utilizing Westfalia’s automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) technology and Savanna.NET® warehousing software, the facility is one of the most technologically advanced in the beverage alcohol industry.
Fitted with Westfalia’s high-density AS/RS technology, Southern’s 334,000-square-feet, 55-foot-tall facility on Atlantic Street, stores 24,750 pallets and is equipped for pallet storage up to 10 pallets deep. Four Westfalia storage and retrieval machines (SRM) refill pallets automatically and each SRM can process more than 80 pallets per hour. Westfalia’s Savanna.NET® warehouse management software brings the system together, directing and controlling all pallet movement and optimizing material flow and picking. The hardware-software combination will deliver Southern ultimate warehouse efficiency, generating cost savings and increasing business operating capacity within the same space.
Wayne Chaplin, president and CEO, Southern Wines & Spirits of America, said, “We’re always looking for innovative solutions to leverage world-class supply chain capabilities to reduce costs, deliver optimal fulfillments and provide tailored customer service. We tore down the existing Atlantic Street structure to invest in the development of this state-of-the-art facility that will not only drive value for our trading partners, but also drive internal operational efficiencies that will allow Southern to remain competitive in this ever-changing and highly competitive wholesale environment.”
Dan Labell, owner and president of Westfalia Technologies, said, “We know the importance Southern places on service delivery to its customers and suppliers, and Westfalia is proud to enhance the firm’s capacity to do so. Our automation technology will help the company realize new efficiencies, better utilize space and position themselves for future growth.”
About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor and broker with operations in 35 markets. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in Nebraska and Texas. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 14,000 team members. Southern urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information about Southern and its responsible consumption program, see: www.southernwine.com.