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With the imminent purchase of the Woolworths chain in New Zealand, Progressive Enterprises employed us to assist with developing an appropriate distribution centre facility to handle their combined and future requirements.
Initially we undertook a series of conceptual studies to identify the most appropriate site and to confirm whether or not their existing Favona Road site with the addition of an adjoining section would provide sufficient space for a distribution centre expansion.
The finished project has resulted in an efficient 60,000m² distribution centre being completed. |
There were a number of critical factors that had to be resolved for this to work including storage capacity, transport throughput, minimising noise, increasing aisle widths throughout the facility for the future and not least of all, the ability to run their business concurrently with the expansion.
We produced concepts that enabled this to happen. | |
Once the overall concept was agreed, Darroch’s designed materials handling and storage systems for this facility.
It was necessary to determine the dynamics of bringing two large grocery warehouses into one, which resulted in a number of additional zones being established that have since proved to be successful.
The facility was designed initially as a normal manual picking facility, but with additional zones for narrow aisle man-up stock picking as well as carton live storage. |  |
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Because of the large number of mobile vehicles being used, a smart battery changing and charging facility was also incorporated.
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Darroch’s was also engaged to project manage the interior fitout in order to integrate this closely with the building programme and ensure a smooth transition.
A series of phased changes were carefully designed and implemented so the business continued to perform during this difficult period. |  |
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An example of the carton live storage area in the distribution centre. |
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