Hydraulic Supply Company Overview

Operating today as Hydraulic Supply Company, HSC was founded as Aero Hardware and Supply Inc. in 1947 in Miami Springs, Florida by Harold Inglis. With 2 employees, its goal was to provide hardware and tools to the airline industry. The lines of products originally carried by the company were Aeroquip, general hardware, DuPont paints and Proto tools. HSC was actually Aeroquip’s very first distributor.

Hydraulic Supply Company now has over 200 team members, a central distribution center and a repair and service center, 24 retail locations and a selection of more than 100 brands. They have become a leading distributor of hydraulic fluid products, serving a diverse range of industries including manufacturing, construction, and agriculture. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, the company has built a reputation for providing reliable hydraulic solutions and exceptional service.

Hydraulic Supply Company Warehouse In Florida

The Challenge

As HSC| Hydraulic Supply Company faces expansion, it is facing significant challenges in managing its growing inventory. The existing storage system was becoming inefficient, leading to frequent delays in order fulfillment and increased operational costs. The cluttered and disorganized warehouse environment made it difficult for employees to locate and retrieve products quickly, impacting overall productivity.

Solution

To address the situation, Hydraulic Supply Company contacted Atlantic Rack, well known for their expertise in creating tailored storage systems. Atlantic Rack’s recommendation for HSC was to implement Hallowell’s HI-TECH Metal Shelving systems in their warehouse. These shelving units are known for their durability, versatility, and ability to support high-capacity loads, designed and engineered to handle daily use for a lifetime without losing its integrity, making them an ideal choice for the company’s needs.

Hi-Tech shelving has the strength needed to handle most industrial applications and versatility for today’s modern facilities. Every shelving unit is designed and engineered to meet the highest standards.

A full complement of accessories including full dividers, partial dividers, label holders, swinging doors, post splices for multilevel systems and foot plates are available to complete the system and make it adjustable for any company’s needs.

Each Hi-Tech metal heavy-duty shelf has a tubular welded box beam in front and rear for maximum strength, exclusive triple bend side flanges for even more strength, lapped and welded corners, and the shelves are punched to accept shelf dividers. Each shelf is installed using only 4 shelf clips and can be installed together with both beaded front and angle back posts as well as T-posts and H-posts. Hi-Tech Steel Shelving is perfect for most medium-duty and heavy-duty products, tools, and gear storage.

Metal Shelving

OPEN DESIGN BENEFITS

The open design feature of Hallowell Metal Shelving provides clear visibility of stored items, which significantly reduces the time spent searching for specific parts. This feature is especially advantageous in fast-paced warehouse environments where efficiency and speed are critical. Additionally, the shelving units can be customized with bins and containers to further enhance organization and ensure that every part has a designated place.

The shelving units are designed at a human height, allowing for easy hand-picking operations, which is particularly beneficial for quick access and retrieval of items.

CUSTOMIZABLE, EASY-TO-INSTALL, IDEAL FOR BOXES, INDIVIDUAL ITEMS & SMALL PARTS

The modular nature of Hallowell Metal Shelving allows for easy customization and reconfiguration to meet evolving storage needs. As inventory changes, these shelves can be adjusted or expanded without significant effort, ensuring that the storage solution remains efficient and relevant. The sturdy metal construction also provides long-term durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintenance. This adaptability and resilience make Hallowell Metal Shelving a cost-effective and reliable choice for warehouses aiming to maintain a well-organized and efficient storage system.

Implementation

The implementation of the process involved several key steps in order to identify the optimal locations for the shelving and minimizing the disruption of the company’s daily operations:

  1. ASSESMENT AND PLANNING: Atlantic Rack conducted a thorough assessment of HSC’s  warehouse layout and inventory management needs. This helped in identifying the optimal locations for the new shelving units.
  2. INSTALLATION: The Hallowell Metal Shelving units were installed across the warehouse, replacing the old, inefficient storage systems. The installation was carried out in phases to minimize disruption to daily operations.
  3. TRAINING: HSC employees were trained on the new system, including best practices for organizing and retrieving products. This ensured a smooth transition and maximized the benefits of the new shelving units.
Shelving Hydraulic Supply
Hallowell Metal Shelving
Hallowell Metal Shelving
Shelving Hydraulic Supply
Metallic Shelving Storage
Metallic Shelving Storage

The Results

The implementation of the metal shelving rack systems led to several significant improvements:

  • Increased Productivity: The organized and accessible shelving units reduced the time employees spent searching for products, leading to faster order fulfillment and increased productivity.
  • Enhanced Inventory Management: The clear visibility and easy access to stored items improved inventory management, reducing the risk of stockouts and overstocking.
  • Cost Savings: The efficient storage system minimized operational costs by reducing the time and effort required for inventory handling.
  • Improved Safety: The sturdy and well-organized shelving units enhanced warehouse safety by reducing clutter and minimizing the risk of accidents.

Conclusion

By implementing Hallowell Metal Shelving systems, Hydraulic Supply Company successfully transformed their warehouse operations. The new storage solution not only improved productivity and efficiency but also contributed to better inventory management and cost savings. This case study highlights the importance of investing in high-quality storage solutions to optimize warehouse operations and support business growth.