Manhattan Beer and Beverage Distributors Discuss Westfalia’s AS/RS in Modern Material Handling
Check out the cover story here at Modern Material Handling’s digital copy of their June edition.
Our long-time partner Manhattan Beer & Beverage Distributors is making headlines for their strategic investment in cutting-edge warehouse automation. The article details how they have implemented our pallet AS/RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) that revolutionizes their reserve storage capabilities. It simultaneously expands capacity and streamlines operations for their Suffern, NY distribution center.
This comprehensive upgrade goes beyond just automation technology. Manhattan Beer & Beverage has undertaken a major site rebuild paired with operational enhancements that significantly improve material flow throughout their facility. The results speak for themselves: boosted network capacity, stronger regional customer service capabilities, and meaningful progress toward their sustainability objectives.
Westfalia’s Order Release Module
Their next advancement will be the deployment of our Order Release Module (ORM), which they’ve dubbed “BORM” (Beverage Order Release Module) for their specific application.
This semi-automated system brings intelligent case sequencing and layer formation to their operation. The BORM automatically organizes beer and beverage cases into properly layered pallets while maintaining ergonomic working conditions for associates. Workers depalletize full SKU pallets onto gravity-fed conveyor lanes, then follow light guidance to feed cases into the correct lanes based on inventory needs.
Our Savanna.NET software intelligently releases cases in the precise sequence required to build each layer, with a module that can shuffle cases horizontally to match specific pallet designs. This technology represents the perfect balance between automation efficiency and human oversight, keeping manual work at comfortable heights while streamlining the order fulfillment process. The BORM builds on Manhattan Beer & Beverage’s proven success with similar technology already in use at their Bronx distribution center, demonstrating their commitment to continuous operational improvement.
The project showcases how the right automation solution can deliver multiple benefits simultaneously. Enhanced efficiency meets environmental responsibility while positioning the company for continued growth in the competitive beverage distribution market.
Ready to explore how similar automation solutions could transform your beverage distribution operations? The success at Manhattan Beer & Beverage Distributors demonstrates the powerful impact of strategic warehouse automation investments.
Read the full article here and feel free to contact us to discover how we can help optimize your facility’s performance.
