The challenge: deciding to consolidate facilities
Nautica Enterprises, Inc. designs, sources, markets and distributes apparel under the Nautica, Nautica Competition, Nautica Jeans Company, Earl Jean, John Varvatos, E. Magrath and Byron Nelson brands. These products feature classic and contemporary styling, quality fabrics, and functionality.
Nautica had separate facilities to house their customer service and distribution operations. As each operation grew, it became apparent that consolidating their operations would provide more efficient delivery to their retail outlets.
The solution: integrated routing system
Nautica consolidated their regional distribution operations to one facility in Martinsville, VA where they distribute to retail outlets throughout the United States. The 500,000 square foot integrated logistics facility was implemented to provide faster delivery to retail outlets, reduce costs and to gain competitive advantage. Nautica’s product is distributed through a variety of fine department stores as well as 109 Nautica Outlet stores.
With Dematic help, Nautica implemented an integrated conveying, sorting and software routing system to help achieve cost savings as well as customer service goals. Dematic implemented a conveyor network, four sliding shoe sorters, and zone routing software to provide an on-time and seamless transition from order placement to shipping.
The results are in
The streamlining of Nautica’s distribution operations with their customer service operations has helped their customers realize more on-time and accurate order fulfillment, increased inventory management capabilities and greater order traceability. This translates to organizational cost-savings as the new facility gets their product to market sooner.
With implementation of the Dematic conveying and sorting system, Nautica's retail customers now benefit from faster order processing time, value-added operations for "store ready" services, and the capability to increase the frequency of shipments.
"The material handling system from Dematic allows us to improve the service we provide our customers while reducing the cost per unit shipped."
– Rick Toler, Director of Support Services, Nautica Enterprises, Inc.
