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Client
Cinram was established in 1969 in Montreal by Isidore Philosophe and Samuel Sokoloff. The company initially specialized in manufacturing pre-recorded 8-track cartridges and cassettes. In 1979, the company relocated its headquarters to Toronto, in order to be closer to its major customers and to satisfy their requirements for prompt service on their orders. There they began producing classic vinyl records. The mid-1980s saw the launch of the CD. Due to increased demand, it became necessary to expand production and sales plants, and to open up new sources of capital. Cinram’s debut on the stock exchange in 1986 marked a crucial step towards becoming the global market leader.
Cinram currently ranks among the world’s largest, independent suppliers of multi-media products (DVDs, VHS video cassettes, CDs, audio cassettes and CDROMs) and logistic services. The entire company consists of 20 subsidiaries (16 in North America, 4 in Europe) and has around 9,500 employees. In 2003, the company’s net earnings amounted to approximately $ 75.8 million.
Challenge
Today’s music industry its characterized by a diverse array of products, an intense pace and ever-changing demand behaviour. The standard, contractual regulations which apply within this sector require high flexibility and very rapid action on the part of the customer and supplier. Reliability, rapid availability, optimal quality and innovative turn-key approaches were therefore of paramount importance to Cinram during the realization of the project. The focal project requests included the following:
IMPLEMENTATION Of AN ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION
The realization of the project by a single general contractor due to the enormous dimensions and complexity of the warehouse, thereby minimizing coordination costs.
MULTI-STAGE PICKING SYSTEM
In order to make order preparation, e.g. for single-line customer orders, faster and more efficient, products are picked in several stages. Optimal ergonomics and user guidance are the focal points of each picking station.
EFFICIENT HANDLING OF RETURNS
The seamless integration of the unit sorter (a sorting autopicker developed by Cinram) was a further significant criterion as it is used both during picking, and intense and elaborate third party returns processing.
Solution
Due to its expertise, KNAPP was awarded the task of equipping the new distribution centre with the latest warehouse infrastructure, a task which it completed within the shortest possible time. An effective and reliable logistics system was installed over an area of 23,000 m². The system incorporates all required functionalities and optimally fulfils the demands posed by the music industry.
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