Managing thousands of spare parts quickly, accurately and safely is a strategic challenge for any company operating on a global scale. For Jamesway Chick Master Incubator Inc., a Canadian company specializing in the design and manufacture of incubation systems and poultry equipment, the answer came through Modula automation.
With customers in more than 100 countries, Jamesway needed to improve the efficiency of a spare parts warehouse spread across several areas of its facility. As the business grew, so did the complexity of locating, picking and managing inventory, along with the need to make better use of the available space.
The company chose two Modula Lift ML75D Vertical Lift Modules, capable of making use of almost the entire approximately 37-ft height of the building and consolidating around 4,000 SKUs within a compact footprint. Thanks to the goods-to-person approach, materials are now delivered directly to operators, reducing unnecessary travel and making picking and shipping operations faster and more organized.
The benefits extend well beyond space savings. Once the two VLMs are used to their full capacity, Jamesway estimates that it could free up as much as approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of floor space. The internal dual-bay configuration also helps reduce waiting times by preparing the next tray while the operator is working on the current one.
Software also plays a key role. Modula WMS Premium, integrated with Jamesway’s ERP system, provides more accurate inventory control, while devices such as the alphanumeric LED bar, laser pointer and Put to Light system guide operators through picking and sorting activities, improving both accuracy and ease of use. The intuitive interface also enables new employees to be trained quickly.
The Modula solution has also delivered tangible benefits in terms of safety and ergonomics. Components are presented directly at a comfortable working height, eliminating the need for ladders and reducing repetitive movements and awkward picking positions.
The Jamesway project demonstrates how Modula can transform a warehouse from a simple storage area into a strategic driver of growth, enabling companies to increase capacity, productivity and control without necessarily expanding their existing facilities.
As John Copping, Production Manager at Jamesway, puts it, the combination of efficient space utilization, ergonomic safety, and easy, accurate picking makes VLMs a solution he would recommend without hesitation.
