ARO Store Director Council recently visited Associated Food Stores’ Farr West Distribution Center to see Project ROAR, the company’s state-of-the-art warehouse automation system, in full motion. For many, including Store Director Todd Berrett, the experience was both eye-opening and inspiring.
“After viewing updates on StoreLink, seeing ROAR live in action was like seeing the ocean for the first time,” Todd said. “We were surprised by the effect it had on us. It literally changed the mood for many from great to greater. There’s nothing like seeing the process live in motion.”
Project ROAR, which represents a major modernization effort for the Farr West facility, is designed to improve efficiency, accuracy and cost savings across the company’s supply chain. Store directors reported those efficiencies will have a direct impact on the stores they lead.
“The cost savings with Project ROAR will be a great help with our cost of goods and will provide greater efficiency in our stores as well,” Todd said.
One of the highlights for visiting store directors was watching the automated pallet-building process in action.
“The detailed process for building pallets grabbed our attention for fifteen minutes. We were mesmerized like little kids watching the process,” Todd said. “The fact that there have not been any layoffs, and that 25 new tech jobs have been added with these improvements in efficiency, says a lot about our leadership and the Farr West team.”
The automation system’s ability to build pallets by retail aisle, with lighter items on top, will also improve efficiency at the store level.
“The perfectly stacked pallets will reduce damaged product and make breaking down the load a more efficient process for our stores,” Todd said.
Looking ahead, store directors expressed excitement about what’s still to come with a 30 percent increase in storage capacity.
“Project Roar is a game changer for our organization; it sets us up for the future and makes us the premier distributor in the West,” said Greg Welling, vice president of retail operations at ARO. “Having our Store Director Council see it in action provides an opportunity, for us at retail, to see the improvements that we are making to our supply chain. This improves our ability to compete and makes us better more efficient retailers.”
The store directors also praised Justin Johnson, vice president of distribution, for leading the tour and highlighting the people behind the progress.
“Justin was a wonderful host and leader,” Todd said. “Throughout the tour, he called team members by name and introduced them to the group. It was evident he knew something about each one. There was a lot of enthusiasm from leadership and team members as we toured the distribution center. Enthusiasm and passion are contagious.”
Justin echoed the positive sentiments.
“I really enjoyed touring Project ROAR ARO Store Director Council,” said Justin. “It was exciting to discuss how these pallets will positively impact their operations and I learn more about retail with each visit and how we can work together to strength the AFS value chain.”