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systems can be easily expanded. As a result of having AS/RS technology, it will
drive expansion in other areas of manufacturing for Sazerac.
4. Sazerac Co. has recently invested $71 million in its three facilities. What types
of improvements will be made to bottling if any?
Bottling improvements are built into the company’s strategic plan, along with
the warehouse expansions. Being free of warehouse space constraints, it allows
for bottling to expand to its full potential at each location. New equipment along
with improvements in existing systems is part of the plan to grow bottling
capacity. Expansion will take place not only in bottling, but all supporting
departments as well.
5. How will Westfalia’s patented Satellite® technology be used to store pallets?
The Satellite® technology is an important factor to the solution design. Having a
growing and dynamic business, we wanted a solution that was flexible and could
change as business needs change. With having a large number of Stock Keeping
Units (SKUs) and needing to meet customer demands, a conventional 2-deep
AS/RS would have involved more cranes and a larger system. With Westfalia’s
Satellite® technology, we were able to keep the number of cranes down which
reduced the overall size and cost of the system. For pallet storage, we’ll be storing
pallets ranging from 2-deep up to 8-deep, depending on the SKU and business
need. Having configurable storage was a key selling point.
6. What are the expectations on warehouse efficiency after implementation (i.e.,
reduction costs, throughput, storage capacity, accuracy, quality control and
shipping)?
Numerous warehousing improvements will occur due to the AS/RS technology.
As with any automation, significant gains are expected with efficiency, especially
compared to our current conventional warehouse. Efficiency gains will drive
better throughput compared to current, which will allow for more cases per hour
to be shipped. Since equipment and automation will be handling the inventory
the majority of the time, accuracy of inventory will be more controllable and
greatly improved. Equipment handling the product will also reduce warehouse
breakage and improve the overall quality of the product to the customer. Since
racking will be utilized, higher density of storage is more cost effective and also
creates a safer working environment. Having automation and a more contained
system will also greatly impact our physical inventory time and reduce that cost
significantly. AS/RS technology will also allow for lower operating energy cost
compared to conventional warehousing.

Sazerac Company’s current
conventional warehouse at
Buffalo Trace Distillery,
Frankfort, Ky.

www. WestfaliaUSA.com

Distributors of

■ Electrical
■ Lighting
■ Automation
■ DataComm

1-800-998-1621
www.sydist.com

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