SUCCESS STORIES
School Specialty, Inc. is a leading provider of educational products and services, offering a comprehensive range of products designed to support and enhance the learning environment, including classroom supplies, furniture, technology, and specialized educational materials. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, the company operates through both direct sales and a robust online platform, continually expanding its offerings through strategic acquisitions. To maintain its high standards, School Specialty is on a journey to improve labor management across its distribution operations.
The School Specialty, Inc. facility in Greenville, Wisconsin, covers approximately 500,000 square feet. During their peak back-to-school season the facility employs over 400 associates. The company sought to implement a labor management program to ensure productivity, accuracy, and consistency across all aspects of the distribution center.
The educational products provider and Alpine Supply Chain Solutions partnered to roll out Blue Yonder’s Labor Management System which included developing and implementing Reasonable Expectancies (REs) for 18 unique job functions in the facility. The tasks cover all aspects of the provider’s operations including receiving, put-away, picking, packing, cycle counting, shipping, returns processing, and more.
The labor management program has exceeded expectations, creating a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and enhanced employee engagement. With the initiative in place, School Specialty has successfully navigated through its peak season with reduced overtime, reduced headcount, and improved customer on-time deliveries. They are on track to reduce their annual variable labor spend by over $1.5-2MM. Additionally, safety, consistency, and accuracy are being significantly improved. Next up: Alpine and School Specialty will roll out the labor management program to their Mansfield, OH distribution center, ensuring operational excellence spreads across their network.
