The Satellite Review Magazine The Satellite Review Magazine Vol 3 | Page 4

FROM THE PRESIDENT Humanizing Automation. Changing the Future of Manufacturing. By Dan Labell President, Westfalia Technologies, Inc. O ver the past few decades, the American perception of automation and the manufacturing industry has been increasingly pessimistic. Much of this negativity is led by the common misconception that automation destroys jobs and is a leading cause of high unemployment rates. While it is true that some jobs may be displaced, highly skilled workers are certainly in high demand. Most companies investing in automation are growing, and their ability to compete in a global market depends on improving productivity. Growth creates jobs, and automation ensures that this growth is managed properly to remain competitive long-term. It is not just the efficiency of equipment that defines the success of a project but rather the quality of the processes and people involved in running the system. It is often easy to overlook the value of human interaction when automating your warehouse or distribution center. Take a look at how “humanizing automation” will change the future of manufacturing. Raising the bar. The New Era of the workforce. As a direct result of the emergence of automation and new technologies in the warehouse, many manufacturing jobs now require workers to have more intimate knowledge of automated equipment. The combination of automation, a skilled workforce and intuitive software technology becomes necessary to implement and effectively operate a highly efficient workflow. Although automated solutions, such as automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), may bring warehouse efficiencies and improved operational performance, a new type of workforce is needed to maintain and operate these highly advanced systems and equipment. 4 The Satellite R eview Integrating warehouse software and controls Editorial Staff Morgan Williams Marketing Design Specialist Olivia Mitchell Marketing Communications Specialist Alexandra Puppelo Technical Writer Sales Staff Aaron Corcoran Account Executive For over 35 years, Westfalia has been committed to innovation and creating unparalleled warehousing solutions. Our expertise in combining software development with automated equipment controls reflects our desire for continuous improvement to meet the everchanging needs of our customers. In order to simplify the interactions between humans and automation, Westfalia’s software development and controls teams have been working closely together to revamp the human machine interface (HMI). The monitoring of warehouse operations and streamlined error recovery processes are now easier than ever using the Savanna.NET® Warehouse Execution System. Like the conductor of an orchestra, Savanna.NET efficiently coordinates both manual and automated aspects of warehouse operations, seamlessly communicates with the equipment and operators and delivers easy-to-use, real-time visibility and control of the entire process. John Hinchey VP of Sales Automation has become an integral part of our manufacturing, warehousing and distribution processes, but it is important to remember the role that people have in making an automated solution successful. One of the key components of a successful system containing automation is selecting and investing in individuals that will be interacting with and maintaining the various components of these automated solutions. Westfalia’s job is to provide them with intuitive, user friendly tools that are less confusing and make their lives simpler and easier. Our new HMI, scheduled for release in the first half of 2017, will do just that. Start, renew or update your FREE magazine subscription at www.WestfaliaUSA.com/subscribe Contact Westfalia marketing at: Web: www.WestfaliaUSA.com/subscribe Email: [email protected] Phone: [phone] Mail: Westfalia Technologies, Inc. 3655 Sandhurst Drive York, PA 17406 Borja Salanova Sales Engineer Fred Beer President Westfalia – DEAM Gary Frank VP Automated Systems Heaven Hill Brands Selects Westfalia to automate bardstown Facility Management Dan Labell President Caio Seabra Chief Operating Officer Dave Williams Director of Software and Solutions Delivery Jon Schultz VP of New Business Development Robert Douglas Service Manager MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS For reprints and licensing please contact Morgan Williams at mwilliams@WestfaliaUSA. com eNEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS Sign up or manage your FREE quarterly eNewsletter subscription at www.WestfaliaUSA.com/enewsletters Published and copyrighted 2016 by Westfalia Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage systems, without permission from the publisher. An automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) integrated with a layer pick system will optimize storage and processing of full pallet layer-picked orders of liquor products. W estfalia Technologies, Inc. has been selected by Heaven Hill Brands to automate its Bardstown, Kentucky, facility. Using Westfalia’s automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) integrated with a layer pick system, Heaven Hill will optimize the storage and processing of full pallet and layer-picked orders of liquor products. retrieval machines (S/RMs). The system will feature storage blocks of multiple storage lane depths, including two outside storage blocks that can hold up to six pallets and middle storage blocks that hold up to 10 pallets. Heaven Hill will have the flexibility to configure the middle storage blocks with varying lane depths based upon inventory levels of each SKU. Founded in 1935, Heaven Hill is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and -operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. With an increased sales volume, a warehouse operating at full capacity and limited expansion options, Heaven Hill turned to Westfalia for a solution that would meet its throughput requirements, provide buffer storage for top SKUs and offer the operational efficiencies to sustain continued growth. The combination of the AS/RS and layer pick system will allow Heaven Hill to seamlessly convey pallets from palletizing to storage and to truck staging lanes, thereby streamlining the entire order fulfillment process. Westfalia’s Warehouse Execution System (WES) Savanna.NET® will direct all activities in the warehouse and provide real-time inventory visibility and tracking. Westfalia designed an AS/RS that will maximize storage capacity within Heaven Hill’s existing site – the spirits producer will be able to store pallet loads nine levels high in a high-density, conventional building configuration. The rack structure will cover three aisles with more than 27,000 pallet rack positions, serviced by four tandem-pallet storage and Dan Labell, president, Westfalia Technologies, said, “One of the key benefits of a high-density AS/RS is its ability to improve space utilization in an existing facility without the need for costly expansion, new construction or off-site storage. This is especially appealing to the wine and spirits industry as many producers and distributors, like Heaven Hill, are operating at maximum capacity while handling a growing number of SKUs.” www. WestfaliaUSA.com The Satellite Review 5