For over twenty-five years and across more than five hundred installations worldwide, Lightning Pick Technologies has delivered advanced order picking technologies on time, on budget, every time. Lightning Pick has best-in-class applications for Pick to Light, Put to Light, Pack to Light (Put to Store) Voice and RF systems support lean supply chain processes from manufacturing through order fulfillment. As a result, Lightning Pick clients improve their level of service, achieve superior order quality, and advance their positions in the market. Build-to-Light is an important cost-effective advancement.

The newest development in supply-chain efficiency techniques and tools is “build to light,” used by build-to-order and assemble-to-order manufacturers. Lightning Pick is the exclusive developer of Build to Light technology. Build to light is the latest generation of what is commonly referred to as “pick to light,” a light-directed, error-proofing system that reduces errors within critical procedures such as parts picking, kitting, assembly, and sequencing, among others. Pick-to-light systems have been around for more than 30 years. Lights mounted on workstations, bin shelving, or other material storage media direct operators to the correct parts, quantities, and sequences to execute their task with greater accuracy than paper-based methods.

A seven minute video presentation of this technology is profiled in this issue of Warehouse Distribution Software and allows viewer to fully comprehend the scope and importance of this extraordinary technology. http://www.warehousingsoftware.net/2010/10/lightning-pick-pack-to-light/ Bernie McCabe, a senior executive with Lightning Pick discusses the importance of Pick-to-Light and Pack-to-Light solutions. According to McCabe, “Not all Put-to-Light applications are the same. LP Pack provides a highly sophisticated Put-to-Light solution specifically engineered for distribution centers servicing retail stores. Also called Pack-to-Light or Put-to-Store, LP Pack is ideal for retail store replenishment order fulfillment and optimizes cross-docking operations where a percentage of full case quantities are broken down to store level cartons. Watch step-by-step as a case of product arrives to the break pack area. An operator scans the case and lights illuminate to direct them to quickly sort the product to the right store carton and in the right unit quantities. The product is 'put' to the store carton and the light module extinguished to confirm the activity was completed.”

With the increasing demand for customizable manufacturing throughout the supply chain, a newer pick-to-light technology is needed, one that can pioneer the next generation of cost-effective picking solutions. Build to light is that technology. The complete Business Excellence magazine feature article, titled “Supply Chain: Picking Strategies” may be read at http://trcutlerinc.com/business_excellence_2010-10.pdf.

In the current issue of Warehouse Distribution Software, http://www.warehousingsoftware.net/2010/10/lightning-pick-pack-to-light/ Bernie McCabe, a senior executive with Lightning Pick discusses the importance of Pick-to-Light and Pack-to-Light solutions. According to McCabe, “Not all Put-to-Light applications are the same. LP Pack provides a highly sophisticated Put-to-Light solution specifically engineered for distribution centers servicing retail stores. Also called Pack-to-Light or Put-to-Store, LP Pack is ideal for retail store replenishment order fulfillment and optimizes cross-docking operations where a percentage of full case quantities are broken down to store level cartons. Watch step-by-step as a case of product arrives to the break pack area. An operator scans the case and lights illuminate to direct them to quickly sort the product to the right store carton and in the right unit quantities. The product is 'put' to the store carton and the light module extinguished to confirm the activity was completed.”

The newest development in supply-chain efficiency techniques and tools is “build to light,” used by build-to-order and assemble-to-order manufacturers. Lightning Pick is the exclusive developer of Build to Light technology. Build to light is the latest generation of what is commonly referred to as “pick to light,” a light-directed, error-proofing system that reduces errors within critical procedures such as parts picking, kitting, assembly, and sequencing, among others. Pick-to-light systems have been around for more than 30 years. Lights mounted on workstations, bin shelving, or other material storage media direct operators to the correct parts, quantities, and sequences to execute their task with greater accuracy than paper-based methods.

Lightning Pick’s Pick to Light technologies are profiled by manufacturing journalist TR Cutler in the current issue of Logistics Week. In the feature article Cutler explores how Charlotte Russe operates over 500 stores throughout 45 states and Puerto Rico. Charlotte Russe stores deliver style in clothing and accessories, providing an exciting, fashionable assortment of merchandise that compliments virtually every facet of their customers’ lifestyle. Founded in 1975, their stores provide fashion and lifestyle needs of young, fashion-conscious women in their teens and early twenties, offering trend right apparel and accessories at value prices. In addition to a wide selection of apparel, Charlotte Russe also offers a full range of accessories and footwear, helping customers to easily compliment their apparel selections.

In late August, Sarah E. Needleman profiled in the Wall Street Journal that entrepreneurial manufacturers are experiencing a demand for made-to-order goods. In her feature titled, “‘Custom’ is Customary,” Needleman hop-scotches through a variety of businesses from Create-a-mattress.com to Panraven, a 3-year-old customer photo-scrapbooking business.

SupplyChainBrain is the world’s most comprehensive information resource for supply chain news, intelligence, strategy and innovation. In addition to the fundamental principles of supply-chain management, SupplyChainBrain identifies emerging trends, technologies and best practices, forward thinking ideas and cutting-edge solutions—and continues to write and report about these as they evolve and mature. SupplyChainBrain targets the high-level executive, who is concerned with such strategic issues as managing risk, aligning the supply chain with corporate planning, achieving competitive advantage, balancing customer demands with the need to control cost, and improving the bottom line.

All Lightning Pick hardware runs on an integrated network that has been tested and proven by recognized leaders in material handling excellence. With over 500,000 live light devices installed, Lightning Pick is the number one provider of light-directed systems in North America.