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Speedy Services saves money and space with Agilon warehouse automation
The UK’s largest hire provider Speedy Services has witnessed the vast benefits brought by modern warehouse automation. Two Konecranes Agilon units at its Erith National Service Centre (NSC) have saved £50,000 in two years through better spare parts management. Vertical space savings provide an additional bonus. No wonder the company plans to roll out the system at its other centres, too.
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Speedy Services saves money and space with Agilon warehouse automation
With over 300,000 itemised assets available for hire, Speedy provides safe, reliable hire equipment and services to over 46,000 customers from over 300 depots and five NSCs across the UK and Ireland. It serves 85% of the top contractors in the UK.
The NSC in Erith, Kent, supports 60 Speedy depots by supplying, moving, finding, buying and repairing power tools, plant and specialist equipment. “We go out to those depots daily, collecting repairs and making sure that any broken kit is picked up,” describes Neil Cave, NSC Manager for Speedy Asset Services.
Speedy wanted to save floor space and increase spare part traceability and tracking.
“We used to have a manual store system with two people in stores. The conventional racking systems were managed via spreadsheets or barcodes to book items in and out. However, we sought solutions to make our stores and team more efficient. We looked at different solutions, but there were only barcode and spreadsheet systems, no robotic storage shelf systems,” he says.
Additionally, Speedy wanted to save floor space and increase spare part traceability and tracking.
A typical busy, safe and well-organised workday at Speedy Services
Agilon manages internal and external stores
Speedy got involved with Agilon through its supply chain and installed two Agilon systems at the Erith NSC in 2020. There is one in the lifting department and another in the tools department.
The system feeds spare parts to the 80 engineers on site to gain efficiencies and enable them to work faster.
The system feeds spare parts to the 80 engineers on site to gain efficiencies and enable them to work faster.
“We have internal and external stores, and Agilon manages both. We can put small spares in the internal store while larger spares are kept outside,” Cave adds.
The installation was very well thought out.
He appreciates the training and support services from Konecranes. “The installation was very well thought out. The guys worked with us at our site so that we could remain operational. They were very supportive. This worked well for our teams, and the installation went smoothly. We get great support through the 24/7 service if there are any system issues. We can get help, advice and support whenever we need it.”
£50,000 savings in two years
Money talks – and in the Speedy case, the savings the two Agilon systems brought have been significant. “Over the first two years, we saved around £50,000 because the Agilon systems manage all spare parts better. We get what we need in the right place at the right time,” Neil Cave points out.
“Some of the cost savings were more around cost per asset. The cost of repairing each of our assets is reduced. We’ve seen a £22 reduction per asset in the first year and up to £50 in the second year.”
The savings are quite colossal across the board.
As the Erith warehouse inputs and outputs about 8,000 repairs monthly, the savings are quite colossal across the board. Agilon solved the earlier space issue, too.
“We’ve saved about 70% on our current warehouse space
“We’ve saved about 70% on our current warehouse space as we’re using the full height of our eaves within the warehouse,” Cave says, taking up yet another benefit. “We’ve also created efficiency for our teams, which has enabled us to reduce overtime and time the lads work on the machines. They are no longer going to the conventional store, as the Agilon systems are based within the workshop.”
What’s more: track, traceability and pick accuracy is now 100%
What is more: track, traceability and pick accuracy are now 100%. “We are using Agilon to manage our maximum and minimum stock levels within the system. We’ve implemented our stock holdings within the system itself. It now manages all stock for us. It tells us what to order, and we also use it for stock intake.”
We’ve saved about 70% on our current warehouse space as we’re using the full height of our eaves within the warehouse. We’ve also created efficiency for our teams, enabling us to reduce overtime and the time the lads work on the machines. They are no longer going to the conventional store, as the Agilon systems are based within the workshop".
Plans to roll out Agilon
Based on the positive experience with Agilon, Speedy plans to roll out Agilon at its multiple sites. “We’ve recommended the Agilon system to our other departments to look into spares, storage and savings solutions in terms of efficiency and time management,” Cave says. “Our Microsoft Dynamics 365 system is currently not yet integrated into Agilon, but we’re looking to do it to gain more efficiencies from the system itself, save time, improve our order systems and reduce costs even more.”
It is easy to smile when things are good. The savings the two Agilon systems brought in the Speedy case have been significant. In the picture on the left are Antony Wards, Konecranes and on the right, Neil Cave, Speedy Services.
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