Organizations looking for flexible staffing capabilities for seasonal peaks to economic down times are finding horizontal carousels to have multiple profitable benefits. Horizontal carousels are a composition of automated rolling shelves held on a track that deliver items to a worker, thereby eliminating the need for workers to leave their stations to find those items. Companies currently using horizontal carousels are realizing increases in throughput up to 750% and decreases in man hours needed by >60%, with productivity and accuracy also increased.
For distribution centers, order fulfillment, manufacturing, and other similar applications, horizontal carousels are often configured in “pods” of two carousels with each pod containing a light “tree” in the center to indicate which item to pick. In peak seasonal order picking with multiple carousel pods, each pod (or station) can be operated with one worker. Alternatively when orders slow down, one worker can select from multiple pods or an entire line of horizontal carousel pods, providing organizations with flexibility. Return on Investment (ROI) from these systems range from one to two years. Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is often greater, adding value to the company itself.
The increase in efficiency, effectiveness and order flow has also been documented to reduce energy consumption and real estate usage in companies using horizontal carousels.
* Written By: Diamond Phoenix of Lewiston, Maine. February 4, 2009
Norpak Handling is the Canadian Distributor for Diamond Phoenix who is a world class manufacturer of material handling equipment, including Vertical and Horizontal Carousels,Vertical Lift Modules and Pick to Light Systems. They are technology leaders in order picking and order fulfillment solutions for the e-commerce, distribution and in-line manufacturing markets.
Please contact us at 1-800-854-6054.
