Food Lion Going 'Yard' to Optimize DC Management
Keen on optimizing its yard and dock labor resources, Food Lion LLC said it has deployed the Retalix Yard Management solution at its 1.8 million-square-foot headquarters distribution center in Salisbury, N.C.
The Salisbury facility serves more than 300 stores within Food Lion's geographic footprint. Food Lion, which is owned by Brussels, Belgium-based Delhaize Group, said it will continue to roll out the Retalix solution at its seven other distribution centers, which collectively serve a network of approximately 1,300 stores in 11 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.
Dallas-based Retalix 's designed the Yard Management system to automate the yard and dock management process through advanced predictive logic and optimization algorithms. Using software engines and visibility tools, the system eliminates operational silos and synchronizes yard and dock activity with distribution center demand in real time, the company said.
As part of this and subsequent implementations, Food Lion will use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in tandem with the solution. RFID readers are being installed at the entry and exit points of the company's distribution centers, and each of the nearly 2,000 trailers in the Food Lion fleet will be affixed with a rugged RFID tag, automating the processing of arrival and departure information.
"The Retalix Yard Management system provides Food Lion with a solution to optimize our yard and dock labor resources," said Dennis McCoy, v.p. of distribution for Food Lion. "By integrating the Retalix Transportation solution into our supply chain, we are able to directly reduce labor costs, improve resource utilization, and ultimately eliminate inefficiencies that negatively impact the profitability of our operations."
The Salisbury facility serves more than 300 stores within Food Lion's geographic footprint. Food Lion, which is owned by Brussels, Belgium-based Delhaize Group, said it will continue to roll out the Retalix solution at its seven other distribution centers, which collectively serve a network of approximately 1,300 stores in 11 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.
Dallas-based Retalix 's designed the Yard Management system to automate the yard and dock management process through advanced predictive logic and optimization algorithms. Using software engines and visibility tools, the system eliminates operational silos and synchronizes yard and dock activity with distribution center demand in real time, the company said.
As part of this and subsequent implementations, Food Lion will use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in tandem with the solution. RFID readers are being installed at the entry and exit points of the company's distribution centers, and each of the nearly 2,000 trailers in the Food Lion fleet will be affixed with a rugged RFID tag, automating the processing of arrival and departure information.
"The Retalix Yard Management system provides Food Lion with a solution to optimize our yard and dock labor resources," said Dennis McCoy, v.p. of distribution for Food Lion. "By integrating the Retalix Transportation solution into our supply chain, we are able to directly reduce labor costs, improve resource utilization, and ultimately eliminate inefficiencies that negatively impact the profitability of our operations."