AS Colour is upgrading its distribution centre

New Zealand-based apparel label AS Colour has chosen Dematic technology to support its significant business growth with an advanced materials handling solution for its new Auckland distribution centre. Founded in 2005 in Auckland and operating in NZ, Australia and California, AS Colour produces apparel products for the wholesale and retail markets, with a number of retail outlets located in NZ and Australia. "Following recent continued growth, AS Colour has outgrown its existing DC and made the decision to move to a new facility," says Lawrence Railton, managing director and founder of AS Colour. "As part of our evolution into a new DC, AS Colour also wanted to optimise our warehouse operations by boosting productivity and efficiency when handling the high number of SKUs we deal with." Working with Scott Kerr at Kerrect Logistics, AS Colour evaluated a range of automation options before choosing a tailored Dematic Multishuttle Goods-to-Person (GTP) System for its new DC, which provides high-density tote storage and high-sequenced order picking productivity. Using the Dematic Multishuttle Goods-To-Person (GTP) solution, AS Colour products are stored in totes in a secure high-density environment until they are retrieved and delivered in orderline sequence to operators at four ergonomic workstations. This significantly improves productivity by eliminating non-value-added time spent on tasks, such as travel and manually locating and retrieving stock. Managed by Dematic iQ Warehouse Control System software, the solution features a two-aisle Dematic Multishuttle GTP system, with double deep storage for 19,425 totes across 18 levels and 36 bays. "In addition to the productivity, efficiency and high density benefits the Dematic solution will bring to our new facility, we will also gain much more visibility into our warehouse operations," says Railton. "The new system will deliver real time information, which places us in a better position to monitor and optimise our picking and replenishment productivity rates." The new AS Colour DC is due for completion in the first half of 2021.