Draper Tools Gets the Drill with Red Ledge WMS

18th October 2019

Logistics BusinessDraper Tools Gets the Drill with Red Ledge WMS

Hand and power tool distributor Draper Tools is now using supply chain software and engineering company Red Ledge’s warehouse management system (WMS) to drive the ongoing automation of its warehousing and logistics, the two companies announced today. ‘Red Ledge WMS’ sits at the heart of Draper Tools’ 560,000 ft., 15,000-SKU operation, which services up to 5,000 UK and overseas customers. The WMS is integrated with the company’s IBM ERP and Knapp automated picking systems and updates inventory in real time. Other WMS-driven functions include a volumetric packing optimiser and automated labelling. Many of Draper Tools’ 125 staff in its two-site Eastleigh, Hants (UK) operation now use mobile scanners driven by the WMS.

Red Ledge WMS is also being used to generate management reports on the performance of individuals, teams and warehouse processes.

Commenting on the impact of the system, Draper Tools head of warehousing and logistics Matt Boschi says: “Red Ledge WMS gives us greater visibility and a clearer, more structured way of working, as well as delivering new efficiencies. We can now track our core warehouse work streams in real time, identify trends, pinpoint problems and measure results.

“With this WMS we are also well-positioned to manage change. Whether we move from two sites to one in the UK, introduce a distribution centre in continental Europe following Draper Tools’ acquisition of a business in Holland, or both, the functionality of the WMS can be easily replicated or customised to support multiple operations.”

“Automation is central to all our systems and gives our WMS users a greater level of control over their operations, with measurable results” adds Red Ledge managing director Andy O’Donnell.