Case Study: JFC International
System Summary
For over a century, JFC International has thrived in its role as a distributor, bringing an ever-expanding line of quality Japanese food products to the United States.
Bastian Material Handling partnered with JFC to design and deliver an $8M automated material handling system.
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Business Challenge
- Systemic improvements in accuracy, traceability, and efficiency needed to be addressed to meet the demands of major food retailers.
- Integrating material flows from ambient, chill room, and freezer environments presented logistical challenges.
- The new system had to meet future capacity demands of 30 trailers/day
- 55% reduction in labor for picking was needed.
Key Technologies
- 850 positions of ASAP “Pick-to-Light” for full and split cases
- Vocollect “Pick-to-Voice” system
- Hytrol Prosort high-speed shoe sorter
- Electronic zone zero pressure accumulation conveyor
- 2 three-level pick modules (ambient, freezer)
- In-line RFID capable “Print and Apply” machines
- Accusort camera scan tunnels for higher read rates
- 4 Ambaflex powered spirals (2 each in ambient and freezer locations)
- Exacta WCS and WMS
- PC-Based Controls including 3-DHuman Machine Interface (HMI)
- Total of 3,300 feet of conveyor
Results
- System supports up to 40 trucks per single shift and is more than capable of meeting future demands.
- Pacing screens provide instant snapshots of operational productivity to management and operators and synchronizes flows between pick zones.
- The new JFC headquarters and distribution enter is designed with energy-saving and environmentally friendly technology.
