Hy-Vee optimizes distribution and transportation
A regional Midwest grocer is enabling a seamless, expedited flow of product throughout its supply chain.
Hy-Vee is utilizing the Manhattan Associates warehouse management system (WMS), transportation management system (TMS) and demand forecasting and inventory optimization (DFIO) solutions to streamline case and pallet interaction and support the movement of inventory from inbound receipt to outbound delivery.
Leveraging the Manhattan WMS, Hy-Vee has optimized slotting and overall warehouse efficiency, which the grocer says has led to an improvement in productivity across its three primary warehouses over the past year.
In addition, Hy-Vee is running inbound and outbound transportation on the Manhattan TMS, helping to maximize cube utilization on outbound loads and improve backhaul management.
The retailer says it has also been able to plan routes more efficiently for the thousands of miles it covers, leading to an improvement in on-time deliveries, as well as take advantage of cross-docking functionality to more efficiently transfer goods from inbound to outbound trucks in the warehouse.
Hy-Vee has also utilizes the Manhattan DFIO platform to better plan and predict future demand.
"Manhattan's WMS, TMS and DFIO solutions have transformed our supply chain operations, enabling us to meet the evolving demands of our customers," said Matt Beenblossom, senior VP of distribution at Hy-Vee. "Manhattan’s end-to-end supply chain solutions have also allowed us to grow significantly while maximizing efficiencies within our existing network."
In other inventory-related technology deployments, Hy-Vee also recently implemented the VusionGroup platform to digitalize shelf tags at more than 230 of its stores. These stores are now able to update product prices and data automatically, streamlining the previous labor-intensive process of printing and hanging paper price tags.
[READ MORE: Hy-Vee rolls out digital price tags]
Hy-Vee is also improving the throughput of goods in its supply chain as the retailer has been expanding its ability to offer digital pickup and delivery services, including partnerships with Instacart and DoorDash and the integration of food tech SaaS company Deliverect into each of the Grille Express stations in its Fast and Fresh Market convenience banner.
"Hy-Vee’s successful deployment of our comprehensive supply chain solutions underscores the power of a unified system," said Stewart Gantt, executive VP of professional services at Manhattan. "By automating both planning and execution, Hy-Vee has achieved remarkable efficiency gains and improved service levels, setting a new benchmark for supply chain excellence."
Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 570 stores across nine Midwestern states with sales of more than $13 billion annually.
