Westfalia energizes Packers Plus Energy Services Inc. with AS/RS technology
York, Pa. – September 17, 2013 – Packers Plus Energy Services, Inc., the innovator of open-hole multi-stage fracture stimulation systems for the oil and gas industry, recently opened its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Edmonton, Alberta fully equipped with Westfalia Technologies’ Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS). This high-density AS/RS provides Packers Plus with the technology and automation to run their largest manufacturing facility worldwide, with room for expansion.
One of the first of its kind in the world, Packers Plus’ MX Manufacturing Centre is dedicated to the production and storage of purchased and work-in-process (WIP) products, supporting operations worldwide. Utilizing Westfalia’s AS/RS, the MX Manufacturing Centre will store up to 6000 loads of work-in-process materials to support the company’s quick response to customers.
“The MX Manufacturing Centre, in conjunction with the Packers Plus Houston Manufacturing Center, provides product for all Packers Plus operations worldwide and has the capability to increase production dramatically in order to meet the demand of all Packers Plus customers,” says Dan Themig, President and CEO.
Westfalia’s high-density AS/RS with freestanding rack configuration stores 5,994 pallet rack positions, utilizing two Storage/Retrieval Machines (S/RM’s) in two aisles. With 12 storage levels the AS/RS stores pallet loads up to three pallets deep on all levels, with inbound and outbound product staged on conveyors that are integrated into the rack structure at the head of the aisles. Unique to this installation are three additional side outfeeds that deliver product just-in-time to the robotic manufacturing cells.
Calculating the size of the load and determining the required space for the load – which can vary from 37 inches to 100 inches – maximizes the utilization. The system then stores these multiple loads of varying sizes within 2” of each other, regardless of load size dimension. Westfalia’s Savanna.NET® Warehouse Management System (WMS) acts as the communication hub for the successful operation of the AS/RS, managing material flow, order management, lane space calculations and KPI reporting for the manufacturing center.
“Our MX manufacturing process provides the ability to determine the source of materials traced back to the mill of origin for any component of any tool worldwide,” says Marlon Leggott, Packers Plus Director of Manufacturing.
