The Works, which sells books, crafts and gifts, has bought Workforce Management from RedPrairie to optimise labour productivity at its Sutton Coldfield distribution centre.
It stocks items from 500 suppliers and introduces around 100 new product lines each week at its 300 stores. The company implemented Workforce Management to build on the 25 per cent increase in picking efficiency already achieved with RedPrairie’s warehouse management system and transform the performance of its warehouse operatives.
Diane Smith, supply chain manager at The Works, says: “Managers now benefit from dynamic workforce reporting functionality via a PC-based user interface that delivers accurate expectations for picking tasks, taking into account preferred work methods, such as travel distances, weight and environmental factors. In just five months, operator productivity has grown by 25 per cent while increased employee motivation has reduced staff turnover. In addition, new starters are trained faster and in best-practice operating methods that enable them to be productive from day one. The system has already paid for itself and there are further benefits expected.”
Real-time monitoring enables team-leaders to measure the up-to-the-minute performance of individuals or teams and alerts them to potential problems before they disrupt warehouse operations. Workforce Management’s job costing ensures that labour costs are allocated correctly.
