23 StateWays ■ www.stateways.com ■ January/February 2015
C
ontrol state leaders are always looking for to
enhance operations and improve processes.
One key focus area that's always top of mind is
warehouse distribution management. How can states
effectively integrate the latest technology into ware-
house operations to achieve the greatest increase in
efficiency and return on investment?
StateWays connected with three states that recently
made major enhancements to their operations by improv-
ing technology, which also resulted in better customer
service. We've also included helpful tips on improving
warehouse distribution from control state administrators
who have successfully completed the process in their ju-
risdictions.
Maximizing resources (and fl oor space)
Integrating innovative technology into a warehouse
operation system can have a profound effect on the way a
state does business. When the Idaho State Liquor Divi-
sion found itself running short on space at its Boise head-
quarters fi ve years ago, executive leaders were faced with
how to take their operation to the next level. The Divi-
sion ships an average of one million cases per year, and
only had a 65,000-square-foot warehouse to work with
at the time.
Idaho opted to expand its warehouse and invest in an
advanced Automatic Service and Retrieval System (AS/
RS). First, a new 17,000-square-foot, 55-foot-tall bulk
storage area was added to the existing warehouse. Then
came the addition of the AS/RS, which uses robotic
cranes to load and retrieve pallets from storage. The new
storage area can hold 2,800 pallets, which is equivalent to
the size of 200 truckloads of product.
Howard Wasserstein, Deputy Director for Procure-
ment, Distribution, and Retail Operations, says that the
new addition acts like a separate attached warehouse.
MODERNIZING
WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION
Control states are enhancing operations using technological innovations.
BY MELISSA NIKSIC
The Idaho State Liquor Division, from left:
Dave Johnson, Driver; Kay Bennett, Manager,
Education, Procurement, & Distribution; Howard
Wasserstein, Deputy Director, Procurement,
Distribution, & Retail; Jeff Anderson, Director
of the ISLD; and Trent Fillmore, dock manager,
outside the ISLD warehouse in Boise, ID.
PHOTO
BY
PIXEL
LIGHT
CREATIVE
GROUP
