Bellisio Foods maximizes space
and Efficiency with automation technology
T his summer marked the successful completion of yet another Westfalia automated warehouse , this time for Bellisio Foods in Jackson , Ohio . The automated storage / retrieval system ( AS / RS ) with overhead conveyors coupled to production is controlled by Westfalia ’ s Savanna . NET ® Warehouse Execution System ( WES ) and will enable Bellisio to increase storage capacity and ship products faster than ever before .
Bellisio found its existing warehouse operating at full capacity with limited expansion options . In addition , the company ’ s current manual processes hindered efficiency as the company grew . When Bellisio needed to build a new freezer , the company turned to Westfalia for a solution that would meet its throughput requirements , improve shipping efficiencies , increase warehouse storage capacity and scale for future updates .
Ryan Wright , Vice President of Engineering , Bellisio Foods , said , “ Choosing Westfalia allowed us to design our freezer around property we had available , while at the same time maximizing our pallet positions . Working with the Westfalia team was a great experience . Everyone we worked with are all true professionals .”
Bellisio is the third-largest producer of frozen entrées in the United States . Its products are primarily sold in the United States but are also distributed in over 12 countries worldwide . Today , the company markets more than 400 products spanning across a wide variety of categories . While most of Bellisio ’ s products are branded , the company also manufactures private label and co-pack retail products . Bellisio ’ s frozen food brands include Michelina ’ s , Boston Market , EatingWell , Atkins , and Authentic Asia , among others .
The AS / RS is directly tied to palletizing . This system will allow Bellisio to efficiently transport pallets from production to storage , alleviating the need for physically demanding , repetitive labor within freezing conditions . Westfalia ’ s WES , Savanna . NET ®, will streamline warehousing operations and marry WMS features with automated equipment in a tightly integrated , well designed application . Three-dimensional user interface screens make it a breeze to manage and control the system .
Dan Labell , President , Westfalia Technologies , said , “ A key benefit of a high-density AS / RS is its unique ability to improve space utilization in an existing facility without the need for a costly expansion or off-site storage . This is especially appealing to the frozen food industry , as many producers and distributors , like Bellisio Foods , are operating at maximum capacity , while handling a growing number of SKUs . Westfalia ’ s AS / RS , integrated with our Savanna . NET ® WES , will provide Bellisio with additional operational efficiencies , cost savings and a competitive advantage .”
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