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Improving Order-Picking Response Time at Ankor's Warehouse

Author

Listed:
  • R. Dekker

    (Rotterdam School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • M. B. M. de Koster

    (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • K. J. Roodbergen

    (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • H. van Kalleveen

    (KLM, PO Box 7700, 1117 2L Schiphol-Centrum, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Ankor is a wholesaler of tools and garden equipment, carrying such well-known brands as Skandia. Its warehouse is under continuous pressure to improve its efficiency while it is confronted with several specific requirements in its order picking, like the requirement to retrieve heavy products first to prevent damage to other, breakable products. Our research goal was to determine a good combination of policies for storage assignment (assigning products to storage locations) and routing (determining the sequence in which to retrieve products from storage to meet customer demand) for Ankor's situation. We adapted existing solution techniques for this problem, overcoming the special characteristics of Ankor's operations. With these adapted techniques, we cut the average route length in the order-picking operation by 31 percent. As a result of our study, Ankor implemented a new storage and routing strategy. The study also showed further improvement potentials in the picking process, which Ankor adopted as well. All improvements led to a reduction in the number of order pickers of more than 25 percent.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Dekker & M. B. M. de Koster & K. J. Roodbergen & H. van Kalleveen, 2004. "Improving Order-Picking Response Time at Ankor's Warehouse," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 34(4), pages 303-313, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orinte:v:34:y:2004:i:4:p:303-313
    DOI: 10.1287/inte.1040.0083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Çağla Cergibozan & A. Serdar Tasan, 2019. "Order batching operations: an overview of classification, solution techniques, and future research," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 335-349, January.
    2. Valle, Cristiano Arbex & Beasley, John E. & da Cunha, Alexandre Salles, 2017. "Optimally solving the joint order batching and picker routing problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 262(3), pages 817-834.
    3. Giannikas, Vaggelis & Lu, Wenrong & Robertson, Brian & McFarlane, Duncan, 2017. "An interventionist strategy for warehouse order picking: Evidence from two case studies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 63-76.
    4. Dijkstra, Arjan S. & Roodbergen, Kees Jan, 2017. "Exact route-length formulas and a storage location assignment heuristic for picker-to-parts warehouses," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 38-59.
    5. van Gils, Teun & Ramaekers, Katrien & Caris, An & de Koster, René B.M., 2018. "Designing efficient order picking systems by combining planning problems: State-of-the-art classification and review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(1), pages 1-15.
    6. de Koster, M.B.M. & Le-Duc, T. & Roodbergen, K.J., 2006. "Design and Control of Warehouse Order Picking: a literature review," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2006-005-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    7. Mina Roohnavazfar & Seyed Hamid Reza Pasandideh, 2022. "Decomposition algorithm for the multi-trip single vehicle routing problem with AND-type precedence constraints," Operational Research, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 4253-4285, September.
    8. Silva, Allyson & Coelho, Leandro C. & Darvish, Maryam & Renaud, Jacques, 2020. "Integrating storage location and order picking problems in warehouse planning," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    9. Boysen, Nils & de Koster, René & Füßler, David, 2021. "The forgotten sons: Warehousing systems for brick-and-mortar retail chains," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(2), pages 361-381.
    10. van Gils, Teun & Caris, An & Ramaekers, Katrien & Braekers, Kris & de Koster, René B.M., 2019. "Designing efficient order picking systems: The effect of real-life features on the relationship among planning problems," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 47-73.

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