Cardinal Health building a state-of-the-art robotic facility in South Carolina
Cardinal Health to Build State-of-the-Art Distribution Center for at-Home Solutions in South Carolina
Cardinal Health, a renowned provider of home healthcare medical supplies, is set to revolutionize its distribution capabilities with the construction of a cutting-edge distribution center in Greenville, South Carolina. This new facility, the largest ever built by at-Home Solutions, will cater to the growing demands of the business and the expanding home healthcare industry. Equipped with advanced automation and robotics, the distribution center aims to optimize efficiency, enhance service levels, and accommodate future business expansion.
Expanding Capacity to Support Growth
The forthcoming distribution center, spanning 350,000 square feet, represents Cardinal Health's commitment to serving its existing customers and patients while facilitating future growth. This state-of-the-art facility will not only provide at-Home Solutions with ample space but will also incorporate advanced automation technology and robotics to increase inventory capacity and improve overall service levels.
Creating Job Opportunities
In addition to its technological advancements, the new distribution center is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the Greenville region. Over the next two years, the facility is projected to generate up to 200 job opportunities, offering employment prospects and contributing to the local community.
Focused Customer Service
While capable of serving all 50 states, the primary focus of the distribution center will be customers located in the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, and Louisiana. Its strategic location enables efficient distribution to these areas, allowing for prompt and reliable delivery of approximately 8,000 packages per day directly to patient homes. Currently, at-Home Solutions ships around 55,000 packages daily from its ten existing distribution sites.
Advanced Automation and Robotics
The new facility will leverage advanced automation technology and robotics to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Automated outbound conveyors and state-of-the-art warehouse management systems (WMS) will ensure that the right products are available at the right time and in the right place, resulting in improved service levels for customers.
One notable feature of the distribution center is the automated cube storage system, which employs autonomous robots operating on an aluminum cubic grid. These robots seamlessly pick up, rearrange, and deliver storage bins to connected workstations for order picking and replenishment. This integration of robotics and artificial intelligence optimizes inventory storage space and accuracy, increases employee productivity, and drives operational efficiencies. The Greenville distribution center will accommodate more than 290,000 cubic feet of storage, offering space for over 13,000 SKUs. With 76 robots, eight picking stations, and three replenishment stations, the facility will support nearly 70,000 bin storage locations.
Furthermore, the facility will feature two fully automated erected box systems, capable of producing 600 ready-to-pack, right-sized erected boxes per hour. This innovative solution will significantly enhance the speed of order fulfillment, further streamlining the distribution process.
Looking Ahead
Construction on the new distribution center is set to commence this summer, with an estimated timeline of 18 to 24 months for full operational readiness. The project signifies Cardinal Health's commitment to meeting the increasing demands of the home healthcare industry and accommodating the remarkable growth the company has experienced over the years.
Rob Schlissberg, President of at-Home Solutions, expressed excitement about the new space, highlighting its significance as the largest building ever opened by at-Home Solutions. Schlissberg emphasized that this expansion is a testament to the growth not only of their business but also of the entire industry. With an expanding customer base, the new distribution center will ensure efficient and timely service delivery.
Mike DeSimpelaere, Vice President of Network Operations at at-Home Solutions, stressed the importance of the advanced technologies in the facility. These technologies provide enhanced inventory accuracy, improve order fulfillment processes, and prioritize employee safety and experience within the warehouse. They also attract a skilled workforce that will contribute to the success of the business.
Cardinal Health's decision to build an advanced distribution center in South Carolina marks a significant milestone in the evolution of at-Home Solutions. The new facility, equipped with cutting-edge automation and robotics, will revolutionize the company's distribution capabilities, enhance service levels, and support the growing demands of the home healthcare industry. As Cardinal Health embraces technological advancements, it continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing efficient, reliable, and high-quality healthcare solutions to patients across the United States.
