Sparta, MI -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/14/2010 -- In the current issue of Tag44, Food and Beverage newsletter, manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler, profiled how Integrated Systems Group (ISG) helped Hy-Vee with an effective material handling solution.
Hy-Vee is a touchstone for Midwest consumers’ desire for information on diet, nutrition and wellness topics. The company’s distribution operations are based in Chariton, Iowa, where there are more than 1.5 million square feet of state-of-the-art warehouse space. Another large distribution center, encompassing 650,000 square feet of space for dry food products and general merchandise, is located in Cherokee, Iowa.
Recently, Hy-Vee was expanding the Cherokee facility and according to Tod Hockenson, VP of Distribution, “We contacted several rack suppliers and the project was awarded to Integrated Systems Group (ISG) based on price, expertise, and past customer service. Challenges...cost, functional design, timing of installation with other building contractors, product durability and compatibility of new equipment with our existing facility were all considerations.”
Integrated Systems Group (ISG), a division of Speedrack Products Group Ltd., is an integral part of a company with decades of material handling experience. It is one of the largest companies in the industry and enjoys a very strong financial position. ISG’s “forward thinking” engineering, design, and project management staff make it possible to design, develop, and deliver highly functional and cost-effective quality material handling systems to meet client’s specific needs every time.
According to Tim Bastic, Vice-President of ISG, “Due to Hy-Vee's continuing growth in their marketplace and desire to better service their company owned stores, they needed to maximize available cube utilization in the new dry grocery addition. ISG provided carton flow racks for each picking of medium movers over the dock area (which is typically dead space) for space utilization along with over the dock empty pallet storage locations. They needed an installation based on an accelerated time schedule, on time and under budget, while providing storage systems that would stand the test of time.”
Hockenson said that, “During the bidding process we had each suppler present their products and services. After reviewing everything...the clear leader was ISG because of their very knowledgeable staff that is flexible and truly cares about their customers. From start to finish, ISG took about eight months, provided an excellent finished product, ahead of schedule and under budget.”
Bastic said that, “The design of the Hy-Vee facility was to optimize storage capacity, worked in concert with the building architect on optimal building column spacing. Racking systems with features to insure the long-term life of the racking systems, protecting the racking investment specific to potential impact from lift equipment by specially designed racking uprights and unique end of aisle guarding.”
ISG utilizes a proprietary step-by-step process that starts with a complete analysis of current warehouse and distribution center operations and end objectives. Time is spent to determine what operational enhancements and technologies are needed to frame the system configuration for present and future distribution requirements. This unique and thorough analysis guards against false starts and the ill-timed development of budget-wasting, non-functional system concepts.
The results from the ISG GAP Analysis are system designs, implementations, technology and project management strategies specifically based on short and long term objectives.
Selecting the right technology to ensure the best fit, best results and least amount of investment without pre-conceived ideas, ISG chooses from an almost endless list of applications.
Some of the solutions may include Conveyor and Sortation, Voice, RF and Pick-To-Light, Batch and Cluster Picking Methodologies, Warehouse Control Software, Barcode and RFID Scanning, Carousels, Cubing Software, Weight Technologies, Automatic Labeling applications and many more.
ISG has a wide range of industry leading clients including Hal Leonard Corporation, Hy-Vee, Inc., Family Christian Stores, Fender Musical Instruments, Inc, and Husqvarna. From musical instruments to bookstores to food warehouses, ISG is the leading consultancy for achieving effective distribution center and warehouse planning, design, and cost-effective material handling systems.
Integrated Systems Group
http://www.integratedsysgroup.com
Joel Bos
isgsales@speedrack.net
800-752-7352