DC Velocity - October 2018

48 DC VELOCITY OCTOBER 2018 www.dcvelocity.com applications

A look at how DCs are using equipment and services to rev up their operations

AS A SUPPLIER OF CUSTOM WIRE AND CABLE PRODucts for the military and aerospace sectors, Sea Wire and Cable Inc. is accustomed to fielding demands for speedy delivery to its 4,800 U.S. and international customers.

The firm averages 500 shipments per day from its
90,000-square-foot distribution facility, which is stocked
with over 11,000 items and more than 60 million feet of
wire. To fulfill each order, workers must accurately cut the
wire to length and then perform value-added services such
as laser wire marking, custom color coding, and kitting.

So when the Madison, Ala.-based company went to choose a warehouse management system (WMS), it had to select a system that would help it fill orders swiftly, allowing it to maintain its reputation for rapid order turnaround. Beyond that, it wanted a system that was readily customiz-able to its unique needs. In particular, the software would

New WMS helps military wire and cable supplier fill custom orders fast.

Down to the wire

AS ANY PRODUCE SHIPPER WILL TELL YOU, TO SUCceed in the produce business, where harvest dates depend on Mother Nature and freshness is vital, you need an agile supply chain. More than that, you need one that’s simple, efficient, and sustainable.

That need led Melon 1, the nation’s largest watermelon grower and shipper, to embark on an effort to streamline its operations in 1999. Based in Brooklyn, N. Y., the company ships watermelons nationwide from packing sheds and other distribution points on the East Coast.

Given the complexity of its distribution network, the company was confident that even minor efficiency improvements could bring a big payoff.

The search for supply chain efficiencies led the watermelon grower to a partnership with global pallet pooling specialist CHEP. Melon 1, which had previously used disposable pallets, joined CHEP’s pallet pooling network, a program that allows companies to rent or lease pallets from a shared pool. Among other advantages, the move freed Melon 1 from the burden of acquiring, storing, staging, and disposing of pallets. Rich Chastain, co-owner of Melon

1, said in a statement that the partnership plays an essential role in simplifying the supply chain, helping Melon 1 achieve both time and cost savings.

Just as importantly, the move has allowed the company to make its operations more sustainable. Between 2009 and In addition to further streamlining the supply chain, the on-site storage has brought Melon 1 peace of mind, the company says. If the harvest yields a larger-than-expected supply, also known as a bumper crop, Melon 1 has CHEP pallets readily available. In fiscal year 2018, the company plans to store more than 100,000 CHEP pallets at eight East Coast locations.