Familiprix's journey to enhanced distribution with automation
The initial situation
Familiprix, a prominent network of affiliated pharmacies in Eastern Canada, experienced substantial growth in the Quebec and New Brunswick regions. As a result, the company faced the imperative need to enhance its distribution capacity while increasing efficiency. Considering the option of integrating automation into their new facilities became pivotal to meet escalating demands.
The solution
In 2012, Familiprix initiated their partnership with SSI SCHAEFER by incorporating a Pick by Light (PBL) system into their existing fulfillment network. Building on this successful collaboration, in 2018, Familiprix expanded further into automation for their prescription drug distribution center. SSI SCHAEFER was chosen to design and implement an efficient system, featuring an A-Frame system and a series of conveyors spanning two levels. This innovative setup integrated both manual and automated picking, streamlining the entire shipping and distribution process. The integration of a strapper and a printer-applicator further enhanced efficiency by closing and strapping their totes and then automatically printing and applying the shipping labels to them, making their shipping operations much more efficient and error-free. Driven by the success of their initial system, Familiprix expanded their automation fulfillment network in 2023, commissioning SSI SCHAEFER to outfit a second facility with a similar solution tailored for Over the Counter (OTC) products. Presently, these automated systems manage 80% of Familiprix's total production, with 60% of the workload handled seamlessly by the A-Frames. This advancement enables Familiprix to distribute products to their network of 425 pharmacies within regular operating hours, significantly reducing the need for overtime among operators.
