In the fast-moving fashion industry, logistics can be a difference maker when supporting a growing brand’s customer experience through the full cycle from order to delivery. Faced with an expiring lease and the rising costs of West Coast operations, women’s fashion brand cabi knew it was time for a change. By partnering with Alpine Supply Chain Solutions and Systems in Motion, cabi embarked on a mission-critical journey to relocate its distribution center and update its entire fulfillment strategy to line up with current and future growth.
The result was a state-of-the-art facility in Indianapolis that was fully operational in just 12 months. “Whether this had opened six months ago or six years ago, you wouldn’t know the difference,” said cabi chief operating officer, Greg Abel.
DC Relocation Results
- Timeline: Completed the distribution network analysis, facility selection, and DC relocation in only 12 months.
- Productivity: Achieved a 50% increase in pick line productivity.
- Speed to Customer: Improved transit times by 40% and reduced the total time from order receipt to delivery by 30%.
- Labor Efficiency: Significantly reduced the need for seasonal temporary staffing; peak headcount now only requires a 15% flex compared to the 40% flex required at the previous facility.
- Operational Training: Streamlined the sorting and packing processes, which allowed for faster onboarding and higher accuracy for new team members.
Read the full article on cabi’s DC relocation, “Moving with the Times” in the Material Handling section of January’s DC Velocity.
Distribution Center Project Overview
- Alpine Supply Chain Solutions led the strategic planning phase, conducting a comprehensive distribution network assessment, identifying the new DC location, developing the relocation plan, and performing a detailed automation analysis.
- Systems in Motion acted as the systems integrator, responsible for designing and building a custom put-to-light wall and integrating a new warehouse execution system (WES) powered by KOZ automation software.
- The team transitioned cabi from a discrete order-picking process in California to a batched, three-stage operation (picking, sorting, and packing) in Indianapolis, supported by new conveyor systems to streamline package flow to the docks.
