Omnichannel retailer scales warehouse and order fulfillment in one week

• Schneider established a large-scale warehouse and pick-and-pack operation within one week to help a retailer overcome an automated fulfillment system delay. 
• The solution supported seven product lines and processed 36,000 orders on the first day.
• Schneider processed 385,000 units over seven weeks while providing daily status updates and adapting fulfillment processes as products launched.

• Integrated warehousing, order fulfillment and transportation helped the retailer meet holiday delivery commitments while its automated system was being completed.

An omnichannel retailer uses multiple distribution centers across the country to store products before they are sold during live television programming. The retailer installed a new automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) at its Tennessee distribution center, but the software wouldn’t be fully functional in time for an upcoming series of product launches, making order fulfillment impossible. It needed a new storage and shipping solution that guaranteed timely delivery of ordered items.

Over the course of several weeks, the retailer was set to air seven different products in anticipation of the holiday season, with orders to be filled and sent from the Tennessee facility. After realizing that the ASRS wouldn’t be ready in time for the new product airings, the retailer knew it needed a new approach – and fast.

Because Schneider was already draying and transloading the retailer’s products from port to its distribution center in Tennessee, the retailer approached the transportation and logistics provider about a storage and shipment solution during this critical, high-volume time. Schneider saw an opportunity to go above and beyond for a customer, using multiple service offerings for a robust and efficient solution.

Immediately, the retailer asked Schneider to put a plan in motion. Schneider transported the retailer’s import freight directly to its Savannah facilities, and the retailer moved products from its Tennessee distribution center down to Savannah. In addition, Schneider: 

• Coordinated with a package delivery company to get trailers for product shipping 
• Managed the process of acquiring temporary equipment, including six box labelers to automate the taping and labeling process
• Constructed assembly lines for fulfilling orders

Once the products arrived at the warehouse, Schneider prepared to fulfill orders of seven unique products. Many of the products were in master cases (comprised of 24 individual packages), so Schneider had to: 

• Unpack multiple cases
• Repack them per order specifications
• Label and tape the boxes
• Ship the newly assembled final products

Within one week of the request, Schneider was fully prepared to store vast amounts of product and implement a pick-and-pack operation during one of the busiest seasons of the year. In fact, on day one, Schneider processed 36,000 orders that needed to be shipped within 24 hours.

Over the course of seven weeks, Schneider:

• Coordinated a large-scale pick-and-pack operation with one week’s notice
• Processed 385,000 units within seven product lines
• Provided comprehensive daily status updates
• Refined the process as products were launched
• Integrated multiple transportation and logistics service offerings for a seamless, transparent solution

The retailer knew Schneider had the resources and capabilities to handle this massive and complex last-minute request. And Schneider delivered. Schneider gave the retailer the gift of time during the holiday season, so it could fully implement its ASRS without sacrificing its commitment to fast fulfillment for consumers.

Contact us at solutions@schneider.com