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1st March 2009 -- Organisations looking for flexible staffing capabilities for seasonal peaks to economic down times are finding horizontal carousels to have multiple profitable benefits.

Horizontal carousels are a composition of automated rolling shelves held on a track that deliver items to a worker, thereby eliminating the need for workers to leave their stations to find those items. Companies currently using horizontal carousels are realising increases in throughput up to 750% and decreases in man hours needed by >60%, with productivity and accuracy also increased.

For distribution centres, order fulfillment, manufacturing, and other similar applications, horizontal carousels are often configured in “pods” of two carousels with each pod containing a light “tree” in the center to indicate which item to pick. In peak seasonal order picking with multiple carousel pods, each pod (or station) can be operated with one worker. Alternatively when orders slow down, one worker can select from multiple pods or an entire line of horizontal carousel pods, providing organizations with flexibility.

Return on Investment (ROI) from these systems range from one to two years. Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is often greater, adding value to the company itself.

The increase in efficiency, effectiveness and order flow has also been documented to reduce energy consumption and floor space usage in companies using horizontal carousels.

To learn more about horizontal carousels click here or call 0800 085 8229

Diamond Phoenix have recently produced a report on automated storage and retrieval systems that is ideal for retailers looking to manage and reduce their costs through increased efficiencies and this is available for download on their website.