NZ Safety Blackwoods halves cycle time with tech upgrade
NZ Safety Blackwoods has reported a 50% reduction in the time taken to complete its annual cycle count following the implementation of Manhattan SCALE, a warehouse management solution by Manhattan Associates, in its New Zealand-based distribution centres.
The company, which specialises in industrial safety, engineering, and workplace supplies, has been operating in New Zealand for 70 years with a network of 34 trade centres. Faced with increased user and trade centre demand, NZ Safety Blackwoods turned to Manhattan SCALE to enhance its supply chain and warehouse operations.
Manhattan SCALE is designed to streamline and optimise warehouse activities with tools for managing inventory, tracking shipments, and enhancing order accuracy. Chris Mason, Head of Operations at NZ Safety Blackwoods, highlighted the improvements experienced since adopting the system.
"Manhattan SCALE has delivered significant improvements in real-time visibility, optimising picking routes, stock placement, bin capacities, and warehouse space utilisation," said Mason. "Pickers are no longer required to rely on personal knowledge of stock location to find goods. Since its deployment, we have reported a reduction in picking errors from an average of 3.5% to below 1% - a significant improvement for the high-volume operation."
The implementation of Manhattan SCALE comes as NZ Safety Blackwoods plans a major consolidation of its Auckland-based distribution centres into a single, modernised facility by 2026. This new centre is expected to enhance their operations further by integrating advanced automation and streamlined processes.
"The shift to a consolidated, automated DC will allow us to fulfil customer orders faster and more accurately, with orders potentially arriving in a single shipment instead of multiple deliveries from separate locations. With SCALE, we are building a foundation that will support our strategic growth and ensure that our operations remain agile and efficient," explained Mason.
Raghav Sibal, Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Manhattan Associates, expressed support for NZ Safety Blackwoods' advancements in their operations.
"NZ Safety Blackwoods is a fantastic example of how leveraging advanced warehouse management technology can unlock new levels of operational efficiency and accuracy," said Sibal. "We're proud to support its journey as the team modernises operations and prepares for future growth through automation."
