Working with the client Thorntons, Avanta helped improve pick rates for their ecommerce division using carton live storage racks.

1. Carton Live installation to improve online pick rates
Case Study

2. Avanta UK Ltd - Unit B1, Astra Park, Parkside Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, LS11 5SZ
Leading British Chocolate Brand
Improves Online Pick Rates with
Help from Avanta.

3. Tel: 0800 975 4933 Email: sales@avantauk.com Web: www.avantauk.com Fax: 0113 384 8778
Leading British Chocolate Brand
Improves Online Pick Rates with Help
from Avanta
Ferrero SpA owned chocolate brand
Thorntons have invested in their warehouse
storage and picking capability to support its
ecommerce operation.
Thorntons is a long established quality UK
chocolate brand that has mainly sold its
chocolates through its 228 stores plus the 186
franchises. However, in addition to this and
with significant investment in the website
Thorntons are striving to improve the time it
takes from online order to delivery of the full
range.
Avanta UK Ltd - the Leeds based Storage
Equipment specialist were invited to
Thorntons main manufacturing and
distribution centre based in Derbyshire
to review the ecommerce pick and pack
operation.
Order fulfilment of the ecommerce operation
is complicated with the number of smaller
low value individual SKU’s and the boxed
multi chocolates and combining these in
order “bundles”. The transition from goods
stored on pallet, decanted to boxes, then to
individual items and then to be regrouped
and packed for despatch was taking too
long and was complex. The complexity could
lead to picking errors which needs to be
addressed.
Avanta offered a carton live solution to
alleviate the issues. Carton Live Storage
includes inclined trays of roller tracks, set at
levels in the storage bays, allow goods to roll
under gravity down dedicated lanes within the
trays, from the loading to the picking face.
Advantages of Carton Live Storage
General Advantages include: -
Drastic time savings at order picking: between 25
and 70%.
FIFO-principle: goods stored first, are taken
out first.
Better use of available storage capacity: up to
30% of space can be saved by the elimination of
unnecessary aisles. Drastically reduced travel
routes and important time savings.
Roller tracks instead of shelves: goods move
unassisted into the picking position. This allows
faster picking and quicker handling.
Fewer order picking mistakes: compact and clear
presentation of goods leads to improved accuracy
in order picking.
Simplification of the handling of goods: a large
range of articles are conveniently stored, within
reach, in a small surface and all without reducing
the stock itself.
Loading and picking can easily be automated.
Loss of time during order picking: long and
straight aisles allow a better overview and lead
to an improved organisation of work.
Increased productivity by separate replenishing
and picking aisles. Staff productivity is improved
by avoiding overcrowded passageways and
obstruction of the flow of goods.
Specific Advantages include: -
Competitive price due to efficient design of
standard components (custom-made length and
width possible).
Easy boltless system especially developed for live
storage applications.
Various combinations with other Avanta storage
systems possible: e.g. pallet buffer on top of
carton live.
Optimum adaptation to the size of storage units.
Level can be repositioned in height in
12.5 mm increments.
Each level can carry up to 1000 kg, evenly spread
per flow level.
Roller pitch of 28 mm guarantees trouble-free
travelling of cartons, even those of poor quality.
Capacity of 4 kg per plastic roller: cylindrical or
flanged rollers.
Standardised, system specific solutions for VDA
containers and conical transportation bins.
Tracks and dividers can easily be repositioned
(in 8.5 mm increments). This provides versatility
in dealing with goods of different sizes or
changing conditions.
Maximum safety by use of closed beams with
rounded edges. No extending parts.
5 year warranty on the smooth running of
Avanta roller tracks.
Comments: -
“I have worked consistently with Thorntons
over the years and to see how the company
is expanding to embrace the digital age is
pleasing to see.”
Wayne Thomas, Avanta UK
“We were very pleased with the performance
of Avanta on this contract and the efficiencies
gained by Thorntons. This has contributed to
Thorntons selling the full range of products
online as opposed to only a selection
previously available.”
Representative of Thorntons
Boxes are loaded
from 1 side and travel
down the rollers for
the picker to pick from
the picking trays.

4. Avanta UK Ltd - Unit B1, Astra Park, Parkside Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, LS11 5SZ

5. Tel: 0800 975 4933 Email: sales@avantauk.com Web: www.avantauk.com Fax: 0113 384 8778

6. Tel: 0800 975 4933 Email: sales@avantauk.com Web: www.avantauk.com Fax: 0113 384 8778

7. Avanta UK Ltd for all your
mezzanine floor, racking, shelving,
steel and office partitioning needs
Avanta UK Ltd offer a full office and warehouse
interior design and installation service. We offer a
free Site Survey and CAD Design and Consultancy
Service, responding promptly to your enquiries.
Our specialities include mezzanine floors, storage
systems (including warehouse shelving, pallet
racking, industrial shelving and mobile shelving
systems) and interior solutions (including office
partitions, office storage, steel partitions,security
cages and workshop fit outs).
See more case studies at
www.avantauk.com
Call: 0800 975 4933
Tel: 0800 975 4933 Email: sales@avantauk.com Web: www.avantauk.com Fax: 0113 384 8778

8. Avanta UK Ltd • Unit B1 • Astra Park • Parkside Lane
Leeds • West Yorkshire • LS11 5SZ
Tel: 0800 975 4933 / 0113 384 8777
Fax: 0113 384 8778
Email: sales@avantauk.com
Web: www.avantauk.com