Master Electronics, USA: Overcoming challenges with goods-to-person automation and achieving rapid results
Master Electronics successfully integrated cutting-edge technology to achieve remarkable improvements in their order fulfillment process, despite logistical challenges, while preserving strong corporate culture.
Goods-to-person automation and integration challenges
Master Electronics aimed to enhance customer experience by breaking open manufacturer packages for precise quantity orders, creating component bundles, and enabling orders based on manufacturing dates and batch codes. A time study revealed that 40% of a picker’s time was spent walking between pick locations, prompting the need for goods-to-person automation.
After evaluating various technologies, the company chose the AutoStore system. However, integrating this system posed challenges, including finding the right partner and ensuring it aligned with their strong corporate culture that prioritizes employee empowerment.
Balancing automation and corporate culture
Master Electronics successfully implemented the AutoStore system in their existing distribution center, featuring 80,190 bins and 35 robots. Swisslog collaborated with Master Electronics to configure the solution based on their specific inventory and business needs. Despite the challenge of integrating Swisslog’s SynQ software with Master’s specialized ERP system, the deployment was live-streamed for employees, culminating in a company-wide celebration.
Within six months, the AutoStore system achieved 80% utilization, with picking times more than three times faster than manual processes, demonstrating a significant improvement in efficiency while maintaining the company’s valued corporate culture.
Swisslog had deep AutoStore experience and was very process oriented, which aligned with our approach, but what it came down to was the software that controls the AutoStore. Swisslog’s SynQ software fit the model of how we do business better than others.
