Engineering the perfect working environment

One of the frustrations for both customers and fulfilment centre teams are incorrectly picked and delivered orders.  It is generally considered that a good error-picking rate is less than 0.2%.  Although this may sound low, in means that for every 1,000 orders there will be two that result in unhappy customers and consequently frustrated fulfilment centre staff.  In our view, that’s two too many.

Our goal at our new Oldbury Fulfilment Centre of Expertise is consistently to reach 100% pick-accuracy.  To achieve this, we’re using the latest Industry 4.0 technologies, integrated with advanced warehouse management software that in turn is linked to our company-wide ERP platform.  

Vital to the system is the extensive use of tools such as pick-to-light, barcode scanning and check-weighing devices.  These are, for example, used as part of our goods-in inspection and quality control process and then again at the picking and packing, and final despatch stations.  The combined technologies ensure that only the products ordered through our supply chain enter our fulfilment centre, and that these match the required quality and quantity.  By checking and monitoring each product at every stage we’re able to ensure that exactly the products ordered by customers are picked, packed and despatched.

One of the key advantages of our investment in advanced technologies is that it has allowed us to reduce pick times, with most products now being picked within an hour of order; with end-to-end traceability we’re able to ensure that each pick is both fast and accurate.  This makes our Fulfilment Centre teams more productive and reduces their stress levels as they no longer have to deal with incorrect orders, picks or urgent returns.  It also gives them more time, empowering them, for example, to be part of our continuous improvement process considering methods of improving our systems and customer-facing services still further.

The Oldbury Fulfilment Centre of Expertise is much more than just our latest and most advanced fulfilment hub.  It is also our new UK headquarters, with over 1,100 m² of light, open and energy-efficient workspaces, designed using the latest architectural and behavioural insights.  Our goal is to create an environment where our specialist teams can develop novel ideas and innovative solutions that strengthen our support for customers, while bringing a fresh approach that resolves complex supply chain and manufacturing challenges.

Our new Oldbury Centre represents a significant investment for ERIKS.  It makes a strong statement of intent about the importance and value that we place on all our customers, employees and stakeholders, and provides the critical foundations that will support future success and prosperity.