Blog

                Challenge

                With the recent roll out of Ford’s Pro Shop program for dealerships, parts departments across the country have been taking advantage of the opportunity to optimize their operations. Broadway Ford in St. Louis, Missouri, being one to embrace this program, was able to design a new parts department with functionality and efficiency in mind. Their goal was to have a streamlined space equipped with the perfect warehouse shelving tailored to meet the demands of a fast-paced operation.

Thanks to the generous floor space available, this dealership had the opportunity to fill up and maximize their space with the most efficient heavy duty shelving, versatile pallet racking and a roller conveyor to keep parts flowing efficiently. The new layout would be designed for workers to easily access, organize, and replenish parts as needed.

                From the heavy duty storage racks to the pallet racks, the new design would set up Broadway Ford for long-term success. Check out the full range of solutions used to power this operation.

                Solution

This parts department was decked out with a range of efficient storage solutions designed to improve workflow. To start, heavy duty shelving and was designed and installed, covering nearly half the room. This durable shelving was chosen as it can accommodate steel bin boxes, making it perfect for storing small automotive parts such as nuts, bolts, fasteners – items that require careful categorization. With the addition of these storage bins, the dealership can now organize items by inventory type, making it easier for this parts department team to quickly find items and return them to the correct place.

                To complement this heavy duty shelving, additional rows of rivet rack shelving were added in, featuring wire decking. These were placed strategically throughout this parts department and will be ideal for items that are bulkier or oddly shaped, often not fitting well on smaller shelving.

                Another variation of this warehouse shelving was strategically dispersed between this space – sliding shelf bins, also known as flexi bins, featuring shelf dividers instead of bins. These dividers are great for organizing smaller parts that may not roll or shift easily but still benefit from being organized by category and size. By having this separation of parts, workers can have a clear visual of what’s stored on each shelf, enhancing inventory management.

The fourth type of heavy duty shelving used in this new parts department layout was open style shelving. These open units are ideal for storing longer items that don’t conform to the size limitations of bins or dividers but still require the sturdiness of solid shelving rather than wire decking. Open style shelving can hold boxes filled with smaller parts, or longer items like rods, pipes, and trim pieces. Combined with the other heavy duty storage racks, these storage solutions will support organization.

                This parts department also operates a thriving e-commerce business focused on truck parts, which requires a streamlined and efficient process. To introduce a new system to better support their online sales, we introduced a custom automation solution. To support the packaging process, we installed a service bench, equipped with a sturdy metal top and open shelving underneath. Positioned next to, and directly level with the bench, is a Daifuku roller conveyor. This roller conveyor is designed to transport packages goods to the shipping area. This setup consolidates the e-commerce workflow, reducing the amount of walking around the facility, improving the workflow.

                To complete this parts department, Interlake pallet racking was installed on the other side of the room. These industrial pallet racks provide essential storage for larger and heavier items. Perfect for storing large boxes or oversized inventory, this pallet racking system allows for easy access. The layout was designed to avoid double stacking as each shelf holds a single layer of boxes, two side by side, fitting perfectly on the rack. This warehouse shelving along with the heavy duty storage racks are now fully functional and ready for this parts department to start their operations.

Results

                The combination of warehouse shelving, heavy duty storage racks, and this conveyor system will make for the ideal setup to handle any type of inventory. With some fresh shelving solutions in place, this parts department is now set up for success. By having many organized systems in place, this parts department can expand their bandwidth to better serve their customers and e-commerce clients.

                An organized storage solution can make all the difference in having an efficient storage solution. Are you interested in changing up your work flow to make your operations more efficient or to increase your team’s bandwidth? Chat with the automotive team from Industrial Shelving Systems to find out what the best storage solution would be for you. Give us a call at 1-800-875-6201 or reach out to us here to get started.