Retrotech makes the Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100 list

VICTOR, N.Y., May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Retrotech has been placed on the 2014 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100 list, which recognizes the country's "100 great supply chain projects" of the year.

This distinguishes the company as a leading solution and service provider responsible for helping supply chain executives achieve excellence in supply chain management.

Retrotech's inclusion on the coveted list was based on an entry it submitted detailing the modernization and retrofitting of the warehouse management hardware and software systems at one of the largest branded dairy operators in the U.S.

Once the project was fully scoped, Retrotech moved to modernize outdated automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) software, warehouse cranes and conveyor systems. This was done to help the customer achieve its project objectives of reducing the likelihood of hardware failure, complying with newer corporate initiatives, reducing maintenance and improving operational efficiencies.

Retrotech helped its client to remove all wasted SRM movement when the rack was above 92% full. All cycle times were improved by 20%, and throughput was consistently maintained. The failover methodology implemented reduced the risk of extended periods of downtime and helped prioritize maintenance activities.

Enhanced system diagnostics and reporting provided visibility to key operational data. This lead to improved corporate transparency and performance monitoring. The unloading of trucks was significantly improved and the travel time of individual pallets was reduced from 120 seconds to just 30 seconds. The installation of two heavy-duty cranes ensured that heavy pallets were moved in and out of the warehouse, per client requirements, at a rate of 100 per hour.

Retrotech's warehouse control system and racking solution allowed the warehouse to store irregular-sized and bulging pallets that the ASRS was previously unable to store. Finally, the system integration allowed the customer to greatly reduce their offsite storage costs, and with these savings it was able to accommodate two new production lines.

Retrotech Chief Executive Officer Paul Deveikis said, "This is a great achievement for the team that worked on this project, our customer and our company. Often companies try and resolve challenges by replacing entire assets. They don't always realize that there is a strong business case and significant value for modernizing supply chain components to extend their useful life. Companies can attain a sizeable return on investment and enhance their operational efficiencies by identifying and modernizing individual automation systems, software and components that have become obsolete or troublesome. We've been doing this for 30 years and the outcome is always favorable."

To make it onto the Supply & Demand Chain Executive top 100 list, Retrotech had to produce an entry submission that demonstrated quantifiable gains and a return on investment to clients via cost cutting. It also had to include an increase in efficiency in warehouse, transportation, procurement sourcing and other components of the entire supply chain environment.

The publication's editorial staff scrutinized submissions based on four requirements: the extent of the business results/impact (40%), the ambitiousness/scope of the project (30%); the creative application of technologies/solutions/services (20%), and finally, the clarity of the submission (10%).

About Supply & Demand Chain Executive

Supply & Demand Chain Executive is the executive's user manual for successful supply and demand chain transformation, utilizing hard-hitting analysis, viewpoints and unbiased case studies to steer executives and supply management professionals through the complicated, yet critical, world of supply and demand chain enablement to gain competitive advantage.

About Retrotech, Inc.

Retrotech, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Savoye and a member of Legris Industries Group. Retrotech and Savoye are leaders in automated order fulfillment products, solutions and modernizations. With a global presence spanning 22+ countries, Retrotech helps warehouses/distribution centers automate and improve their order fulfillment operations to become more productive, flexible and reliable.

Since 1985, Retrotech has provided exceptional engineering, project management and technical product and software expertise combined with unparalleled design, implementation and installation of material handling and order fulfillment/e-commerce systems. Retrotech project experience includes: green field systems and modernizations of existing automated material handling systems. Specific experience includes pallet and unit load ASRS, as well as case, tote and tray handling ASRS, WMS/WCS software, goods-to-person systems, cross-dock/consolidation processes, buffering systems, pallet and case conveying and sortation equipment, simulation/emulation capabilities, and 24/7 customer service availability. For more information visit www.retrotech.com.

SOURCE Retrotech, Inc.