Fully integrated storage solution into large CEM completed

Europlacer Americas has successfully completed its largest implementation of intelligent line-side storage solutions for Idaho-based CEM Computrol. The installation centers around five Europlacer Lzero3 cabinets – all highly configured and integrated into a single storage platform.

Located in Meridian, Idaho, Global Technology Award winner Computrol is a mid-sized EMS business and world-class provider of mid to low volume, high-mix electronics manufacturing services. The first phase of the installation completed last month. As a result, Computrol’s assembly operation has begun to realize additional production efficiencies from what will be the largest Europlacer Warehouse Management Solution (WMS) implementation in the USA, to date.

Europlacer’s WMS software is at the heart of every effective line-side integration and is fully integrated into Computrol’s ERP domain. Computrol’s Engineering Manager, James Spencer says: “The WMS software helps us to manage our entire SMT inventory. We have been able to save additional time by using the WMS software passive warehouse (for parts located outside of the cabinets) and we don’t have missing parts. The time savings for pulling and putting away kits has been excellent; Europlacer has been great partner in helping Computrol accomplish its goals.” Computrol’s material Manger, Randy Smith, adds: “kitting times for SMT parts per works order have been reduced from hours to minutes.”

A fully paperless process, WMS delivers precise material control and tracking for every assembly logistics phase from receiving/incoming materials, through job planning, kitting and re-stocking. Lzero3 cabinets network with existing MRP/ERP systems and pick & place machines to efficiently pick and restock work orders.

President Europlacer Americas, John Perrotta, says he continues to focus on facilitating Computrol’s desire to enhance material traceability and logistics. He explains why his team has focused on this integrated solution: “The ROI tool that we use for predicting efficiency gains has helped us accurately determine how material handling automation can nominally transform traditional business processes, well beyond the ROI horizon. These efficiency gains are important. They help our customers maintain the competitive edge they’ve worked so hard to establish in this marketplace. Computrol has proven to be a highly valuable partner on this front, as it is a highly capable, competitive and structured EMS business.”