Nov 23, 2008
ADM Londis plc, one of Ireland’s premier symbol groups has unveiled a €650,000 investment in the implementation of a Voice Picking system for its Warehouse & Distribution facility located at the Group’s headquarters in Johnstown, Co Kildare.The joint initiative between ADM Londis and TDG Logistics resulted in a new Hands-Free voice picking system being implemented in the 90,000 sq ft warehouse.

The facility houses an extensive range of ambient produce and caters for product distribution within 48 hours nationwide.The new system results in warehouse staff selecting products identified by a voice picking system. Hands-free headsets enables staff to simply follow the voice directions which outline the next item to be picked, with specific instructions as to its location and product quantity required, allowing them to concentrate completely on the task of product picking. Londis engaged with leading supply chain software provider BCP and installation and hardware providers Heavey RF to devise the innovative voice picking platform.

This investment in logistical infrastructure for the warehouse has a number of benefits for both ADM Londis plc and for its retailers spread across its nationwide network of 373 Londis stores. The voice picking Warehouse management system has resulted in improve picking accuracy, reduced mispicks as well as improved the sequence of picking around the warehouse.  The net result has been an improvement to the overall service levels to ADM Londis customers as can be seen by the claims reduction of over 50% as well as improvements in the way products are packed for delivery which in turn has reduced breakages to Londis retailers by around 10%.  Improvements in worker productivity have resulted in a reduction in the amount of time required for order processing.

Voice picking also provides for excellent transparency vis a vis warehousing and picking activities, giving pick confirmations in real time.  This leads to a much reduced reaction time in dealing with potential stock holding issues, further ensuring that Londis customers get exactly what they order. The improved on-time reporting from the system, together with the on-screen key performance indicators also means that available warehouse resources can be focused on key tasks and workload can be quickly altered to continuously ensure that Londis are responding more rapidly than our competitors to our retailer’s changing demands. These improvements to customer service levels have been achieved with a reduction in warehouse running costs of approximately €300,000 per annum which has included savings in stock damages and stock losses.   

Reflecting on the investment, Claude Tonna Barthet, Head of Supply Chain ADM Londis, said, “ADM Londis are driven to deliver world class customer service which has required us to review the everyday services completed by warehouse staff. Radical changes to improve service levels could not have been achieved without the implementation of the Voice Picking software. I am delighted to say we have not disappointed in the results delivered. This implementation is the culmination of a six month project and is the keystone in the Group’s investment of over €2m in the warehouse over the last two years, ensuring that the Group can make important warehouse management decisions based on the most up to date, current information.

For Further Information Please Contact
John McGuinness
Murray Consultants
01 498 0324
jmcguinness@murrayconsult.ie