Leicestershire-based Colton Packaging has invested in a new warehouse management system as part of its ambitious modernisation plans.
Colton Packaging, the Loughborough-based corrugated cardboard packaging specialist, has implemented a new £30,000 warehouse management system as part of a digital transformation of its business to meet the needs of its growing client base.
The new system, called Bridge WMS Standard from MJM Data, is a warehouse management software package designed to facilitate even more accurate and efficient processes throughout Colton’s operations. The intuitive fully-automated solution incorporates all aspects of daily warehouse management, including stock takes, goods receipts, order picking and stock movements and transfers.
Through the use of hand-held QR code scanners and barcode technology, staff can now implement automated stock management, where previously they were manually managing and tracking up to 5,600 warehouse bins with paper labelling.
Laura Colton-Smith, Managing Director at Colton Packaging, says, “This substantial upgrade is part of a wider investment in our bespoke, stock and serve packaging facility, including our new warehouse expansion that is currently underway. It supports our ambitious plans for modernisation through innovation and we are one of only a few operators in the packaging industry to invest in this automated approach.”
The new system speeds up stock transfers and facilitates stock rotation and warehouse movements. It also aims to improve stock take efficiency by an estimated 80%. In addition, accuracy and reporting are improved, providing better stock location and traceability for every palett, which is essential for food and drink manufacturers.
Linking directly with Colton Packaging’s day-to-day management systems, the new warehouse software has also improved internal processes and provides accurate and in-depth management information to aid forecasting and decision-making.
Laura continues, “We’ve been planning this for a while, yet COVID and the move to the new premises slowed it down, so we’re thrilled to have finally gone live.
“We are already seeing the benefits of our investment, with staff adapting well. It makes their lives easier as they don’t have to rely on memory, it saves time and ultimately makes the job better. Our customers are also seeing the advantages of an automated and accurate stock management system. This improved efficiency and accuracy means that we can now deliver an improved service to our customers, particularly around stock rotation, traceability info production and product recall which is vital in food packaging.”
For more information on Colton Packaging’s stock and serve, sustainable, corrugated cardboard packaging solutions https://www.coltonpackaging.co.uk/.