GEM Products’ Efficiency Hinges on RF-SMART Automation
Company Size
11-200
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- RF-SMART
- NetSuite
- Pick Planner
- GEMLUX® Process
Tech Stack
- Warehouse Management System (WMS)
- Vertical Lift Machine (VLM)
- Automation Module
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Cost Savings
- Customer Satisfaction
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Automation & Control - Automation & Process Control Systems
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
- Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
Applicable Industries
- Marine & Shipping
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Warehouse & Inventory Management
Use Cases
- Inventory Management
- Predictive Maintenance
- Remote Asset Management
- Warehouse Automation
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
- Training
About The Customer
Established in 1961, GEM Products Inc. is a leading provider of stainless steel hinges, latches, steering wheels, cleats, and other premium marine-grade products for the marine industry. The company has been under its current ownership since 1980 and has consistently pushed to exceed the highest quality standards and innovate in marine hardware. In 1998, GEM Products developed the GEMLUX® Process, which enhances product luster, corrosion resistance, and guarantees product longevity with proper maintenance. Over the past four decades, GEM Products has created numerous innovative patents and has seen consistent growth and product expansion since 2009. The company moved to a new, larger facility in 2018 to accommodate its growth and modernize its operations.
The Challenge
GEM Products Inc. faced significant challenges with their outdated warehouse management system. The company had outgrown their encumberment system, which was difficult to maintain and update. The warehouse was not utilizing bins properly and relied heavily on the knowledge of the warehouse staff to know where inventory was located and what was on-hand. This manual process led to errors and mistakes that took time to follow-up and correct. When GEM Products Inc. moved into a new larger facility in 2018, they decided it was time to invigorate their warehouse processes with modern technology. They needed a solution that could provide accurate real-time inventory and improve overall efficiency.
The Solution
GEM Products Inc. selected RF-SMART’s Native solution for their new warehouse management system. RF-SMART provided the necessary functionality, including wave picking and batch picking, which were critical for GEM’s needs. The implementation of RF-SMART began on the day the new warehouse opened, with the RF-SMART team providing extensive support and training. GEM initially used functionalities such as putaway replenishment, preferred bins, assembly work for light manufacturing, sales order picking, shipping, and receiving. As they saw a 30-40% increase in efficiency, they explored additional RF-SMART functionalities like Pick Planner, which further optimized their picking processes. GEM also integrated a vertical lift machine (VLM) with RF-SMART to increase storage density and expedite picking with full inventory oversight.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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