Boot Barn boosts fulfillment capacity with warehouse automation
Boot Barn is kicking up its volume of e-commerce shipments.
The specialty Western wear retailer is implementing custom automation solutions from Packsize and Industrial Procurement Services to transform its boot storage system, save and reallocate labor, and improve throughput. Utilizing multiple packaging platforms from Packsize, Boot Barn now has the capacity to move 1,000 packages every hour from its Wichita, Kan. distribution center.
Leveraging the X7 solution from Packsize, Boot Barn handles 75% of its e-commerce orders through an automated inline fulfillment system that creates right-sized boxes for every order. Utilizing Packsize X4 and IQ Fusion solutions, the retailer handles the remaining orders.
As a result, Boot Barn intends to offer flexible and cost-efficient e-commerce delivery options, especially during peak season. According to the company, these solutions support its sustainability commitment by reducing waste and using less corrugated material than standard or off-the-shelf boxes.
In addition, Boot Barn says leveraging Packsize’s products helps increase freight efficiency by maximizing cubic volume on transportation vehicles and eliminating the need for void fill, lowering its carbon footprint. Boot Barn’s use of the Packsize system creates right-sized boxes that perfectly fit each order to ship more than 4,000 shipments to customers daily.
At Boot Barn’s 140,000-sq.-ft. Wichita distribution center, employees can now scan and load SKUs into the system to ship products out in the right-sized boxes instead of packaging by hand, reducing the likelihood of damage and increasing packaging efficiency, helping the retailer alleviate labor shortages.
“The partnership we have with Packsize and Industrial Procement Services is already having a significant impact on our throughput and our ability to provide a right-size box for every customer order that leaves our Wichita distribution center,” said Joey Kinnevan, director of fulfillment at Boot Barn. “As this year’s holiday season approaches, we’re more confident than ever in our ability to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations to make this a successful quarter, and we’re excited about the future possibilities of this partnership.”
“Collaborating with Boot Barn and Industrial Procurement Services to create a data-driven, custom automation and sustainable solution has been incredibly rewarding for our partnership,” said Rod Gallaway, CEO of Packsize. “Utilizing best-in-class solutions from Packsize, Boot Barn and Industrial Procurement Services are redefining the possibilities of packaging to improve the consumer’s experience, warehouse throughput and sustainability efforts.”
“Looking at the specifics of Boot Barn’s needs, Packsize was our natural choice as an automation partner on this project,” said Mark Juelich, president of Industrial Procurement Services. “After the recent success in Wichita, we are excited to work with Packsize again in the very near future.”
[Read more: Boot Barn saddles up kiosks for inventory visibility]
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Boot Barn operates about 320 stores in 40 states and an e-commerce site, offering a selection of cowboy boots, work boots, western wear, workwear, western-inspired fashion, and outdoor gear.