IDEXX Laboratories

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., the global market leader in diagnostics and information technology solutions for animal health and water and milk quality, wanted a scientific approach to its distribution operations.

The Challenge:

IDEXX helps more than 50,000 veterinary practices worldwide advance medical care, improve staff productivity and increase practice profitability with an integrated portfolio of pet-side diagnostic tests, point-of-care instruments, reference laboratory services, digital radiography, and practice management solutions. The existing semi-automated processes in the Memphis, TN distribution center routed totes past every picking location to get to the right location and required substantial operator movement between zones. Orders were picked from three different zones - frozen, refrigerated and ambient. The result was that orders were picked and often packed in three different shipping cartons to the same customer. The majority of orders were also comprised of a single line and single unit which required a different packing process than multi-line orders.

The Solution:

FORTE's supply chain consultants planned, designed and implemented a new automated material handling system with pick and pass technology and a dedicated packing line for single line/single unit orders. The new warehouse automation solution gave IDEXX the flexibility to consolidate orders into one shipping carton when appropriate and reduced the number of totes moving between zones. In addition, FORTE's Automation Director® warehouse control system (WCS) was integrated with SAP's WM module.

The Result:

27%increase in lines picked and packed per hour

With the help of FORTE's supply chain consulting, distribution center design and material handling automation services, IDEXX is experiencing dramatically improved efficiency, increasing lines picked and packed per hour by 27%. In addition to a 6% reduction in outbound packages, monthly freight costs have been reduced, order accuracy improved and the entire customer experience enhanced.

Key Services Employed Strategic Development Supply Chain Network & Inventory Optimization Distribution Center Design & Implementation Automated Material Handling Systems