A Honeywell facility that services, maintains, and restores equipment for worldwide defense-related government applications needed to accommodate operations and inventory from a second location when the two were merged. Honeywell, a Fortune 100 company, invents, manufactures, and services technologies and parts associated with global macrotrends. Since the facility in question handles defense-related materials, it is critical that its in-house repair services operate without compromise.
The merger meant that Honeywell needed a way to accommodate the additional square footage - all under one roof and without building construction. It was important that each operation be strategically located to its supporting counterparts.
With 18 ft high ceilings, fire codes would not permit stacked storage units to exceed 12 ft in height, so simply reorganizing work cells or moving and stacking inventory wasn't an option. A method was needed to capitalize on the existing footprint and utilize the 6 ft of unused vertical space to create the square footage required.
Putting Unused Space to Work
The addition of a fire suppression system and HVAC, paired with a mezzanine from Cubic Designs, would enable the facility to add more space and utilize the previously unused vertical space. From idea to install, the Cubic Designs Team along with Western Storage and Handling worked closely with Honeywell to implement the ideal solution.
Two mezzanines were installed to make room for offices, work areas, and storage and foster a more efficient process flow. This included a 6,130 sq ft mezzanine with PortaFab walls to accommodate repair shop and office operations on the ground level and house inventory on the mezzanine level. In addition, a 750 sq ft mezzanine for shipping and receiving was installed, which included ground-level modular office space and storage space above. This enabled inventory previously stored on the ground level to be moved up to mezzanine level and make room for uninterrupted shipping and receiving operations.
Results: 50% Reduction in Cycle Count Time
Since the mezzanine installation, Honeywell has noticed an overall transformation in operational efficiencies. Travel from one side of the facility to the other is no longer required as work cells are now strategically located next to one another. This has resulted in expedited repairs and shipment of goods, more efficient work flow, and has helped to reduce cycle count time by 50%. Due to mezzanine-level storage, the highly sensitive product is no longer out in the open, reducing the chance for damage or compromise.
By creating additional workstations and storage areas within its existing facility, Honeywell has maximized inventory control, reduced overhead costs, and expedited repairs.