REI Receives Productivity Award for Innovation from Apparel Magazine

KNAPP Delivers Latest Technology to REI – Designed to Provide Omnichannel Efficiency, Productivity and Performance

KNAPP announced that Apparel Magazine has released its 10^th annual Top Innovator Awards, which are given to apparel retailers, brands and manufacturers that have demonstrated innovation at any point along the apparel supply chain. KNAPP customer, specialty outdoor retailer REI has been awarded this industry honor for innovation in the design, build and successful performance of its new Goodyear Arizona distribution facility.

Apparel Magazine will devote its May 2017 issue to recognizing these innovative apparel retailers, brands and manufacturers — and the strategic business partners that have helped them to achieve success. KNAPP and REI will also be recognized at Apparel’s Executive Forum with a reception and dinner, and several of the honorees will be featured in a panel discussion at the Forum as well.

Innovations from the winners range from revolutionary new products and designs, to reinventing supply and sourcing chains for omnichannel transparency to new uses for RFID, PLM and sustainability, to name just a few.

The new REI facility features KNAPP OSR Shuttle technology, Pocket Sorter, Streamline conveyor, a patent pending Pick-it-Easy Multi ergonomic workstations and KiSoft WCS. The new REI facility is considered a state-of-the-art model for omnichannel distribution center design and innovation. REI has also been awarded LEED platinum status for outstanding building performance. Both KNAPP technology and the building infrastructure were designed to operate at very low energy consumption levels, and the facility actually returns energy to the grid – a “net negative” energy distribution center.

About Apparel
Published 12 times a year, Apparel magazine is the No. 1 voice and authority for leading apparel brand, retail and manufacturing executives, with a goal of helping them excel from concept to consumer.  The media brand delivers thought-leading content across multiple channels and formats, to include apparelmag.com, in-person education and networking events, web events, a thrice-weekly e-Newsletter, research, custom content and more.

About REI
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 6 million active members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and   outstanding customer service. REI has 147 stores in 36 states. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI.com/REI-Garage or the free REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. You can take the trip of a lifetime with REI Adventures, a global leader in active adventure travel that runs 170 custom-designed itineraries on every continent. REI’s Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner- to advanced-level courses about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to–and steward–the outdoor places that inspire us.