Wet Seal -Sortrak by SDI

SPEED
ACCURACY
SPACE EFICIENT

Key Highlights
The SDI Solution for Wet Seal

CONSULTANCY APPROACH-
SDI Partnered with Wet Seal to increase their unit distribution and VAS processing capability within the confines of an existing fully occupied mezzanine.

AUTOMATED SOLUTION-
The resulting Automated SORTRAK system has enabled Wet Seal to increase their unit distribution process by 600%within the existing footprint and without adding additional labor.

ENHANCED OPERATION-
The solution has increased operational efficiency, performance, visibility and control. Furthermore, our software allows for store distributions as well as Order Fulfillment on the same sorter.

THE CHALLENGE
In 2008, Wet Seal was manually distributing merchandise to stores in Pre Packs (averaging 6 units per park). A decision was reached to venture away from Pre-Packs which would effectively increase unit distribution requirements six fold (and thus labor requirements) once the program was implemented.

The existing distribution process was manual, utilizing a carousel that transported store cartons past distributions, and combined with pallets of staged merchandise, occupied most of the existing space. As part of SDI's consultancy approach, the company worked closely with Wet Seal to develop a new materials handling solution that could handle the increased unit volume, while reducing the labor requirements, all within the confines of the existing space and without interrupting existing operations!

THE SOLUTION
SDI devised a phased installation plan that allowed Wet Seal to continue operating in the existing environment until we completed two of three automated unit sorters that would replace the existing operation. The existing systems were dismantled and the third sorter installed while Wet Seal distributed all the merchandise on the first two sorters.

THE SYSTEM
Utilizing SDI's SORTRAK technology, we were able to design an Automated Sortation System which will ultimately have four independent sorters with 1000 fixed outputs. For this project, we implemented three of the sorters, leaving the fourth planned for future growth, and a total of 750 outputs. Each machine presents 14,400 tray opportunities per hour for a total of 43,200 trays per hour across three sorters.

The SORTRAK's unique design allowed us to configure a greater number of sort destinations within the existing space due to its flexibility. SORTRAK is capable of serpentine curves in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Hence, we were able to stack induction stations for two sorters above one another.The unique, space saving layout allowed us to devote more than half of the existing mezzanine space to a VAS processing area, which did not exist before.

"We have installed 3 SORTRAK sorters
in the last 18 months. We have only had
3 hours of downtime with our SORTRAK
sorters in that 18 months"
-Charles Turok,
VP of Logistics

ABOUT Wet Seal
Incorporated in 1990, Wet Seal is a national specialty retailer selling fashionable and contemporary apparel and accessory items designed for female customers aged 13 to 35 years old. They are headquartered in Foothill Ranch, CA where their distribution facility is also housed. As of January 29, 2011 the company operated a total of 559 stores in 47 states and Puerto Rico, including 473 Wet Seal stores and 86 Arden B stores. The company's products can also be purchased online at www.wetseal.com or www.ardenb.com