RedPrairie Solutions Deliver 25% Picking Improvements For The Works

UK value book retail chain, The Works, has raised warehouse picking efficiency by 25 percent only months after rolling out a range of supply chain solutions from RedPrairie, a global leader in supply chain technology solutions.

The Works commissioned a new warehouse management system at its state-of-the art distribution centre on the Minworth industrial park in Sutton Coldfield, in order to help it to maintain its position as the UK's leading supplier of value books. RedPrairie achieved a very rapid implementation, only 12 weeks from the decision to go ahead, until go-live.

Diane Smith, WMS Project Manager at The Works, says, "Store replenishment is now more accurate and we have the information necessary to manage our warehouse operation effectively. As the months go by, we will be expecting even greater returns."

Chris Maddox, Managing Director of The Works, says that the new warehouse management system has sparked off a range of benefits across the business. He says, "The stores are now getting more accurate and timely stock allocations than ever before and our new approach made a significant contribution to the ~100m worth of business we did in the Christmas 2004 period."

The Works also reports that training on the new systems is very easy and staff can be up and running very quickly. Staff are directed what to do using screen menus on the RF gun, allowing the company to do away with paper-training materials.

Smith adds, "We now benefit from a range of over 100 reports. For instance, we can look at pick rates per member of staff, enabling us to reward those that are fast and spend more time coaching those who are not. Pickers can also see their own pick rates, providing them with added incentive to be more productive."

Receiving and allocation of publisher's returns can now be carried out in a single process, which saves further time.

Smith also says, "The new system has in no way constrained how we should work; we have been able to combine our existing best practices with the recommendations of RedPrairie and go on from there to achieve greater efficiencies."

About The Works
Founded in 1981, The Works is now the UK's leading retailer of value books and artist materials with a unique product range that includes, stationery, greeting cards and gift-wrap, music, videos, DVDs, games, puzzles and children's activities.

The Works Retail mainly trades under its high street brand of The Works, but includes other brands, such as Book Depot, Banana Bookshop, Booksale and Art Depot in factory outlets and other out-of-town locations.

Following a management buyout in July 2003, The Works has an annual turnover of ~100m, over 220 stores and concessions, and more than 1,600 employees.

About RedPrairie Corporation
For over 30 years RedPrairie has enabled leading global companies to create competitive advantage through supply chain excellence. RedPrairie's comprehensive technology solutions provide rapid and sustainable return on investment by optimizing the performance of people, places and processes. RedPrairie provides industry-tailored solutions for diverse markets, including consumer goods, direct to consumer and traditional retail, food and beverage, high tech/electronics, third party logistics, industrial/wholesale, automotive and service parts, and pharmaceuticals. For additional information, call 1.877.733.7724, or access www.RedPrairie.com.