With a 70 years heritage providing safety equipment, engineering, workwear, hygiene and packaging in New Zealand, NZ Safety Blackwoods, part of the Wesfarmers Industrial and Safety group, is known for its superior service, accuracy, and fulfillment speed across its national network of 34 trade centres. Operating four DCs across New Zealand and a dedicated warehouse for steel strapping supplies, the company faced pressure to meet growing user and trade centre demand, requiring enhancements to its supply chain and warehouse operations.
The company chose to implement Manhattan SCALE, a robust warehouse management system (WMS) designed to streamline and optimise warehouse operations. Manhattan SCALE provides comprehensive tools to manage inventory, track shipments, and improve order accuracy, all while ensuring real-time visibility into operations to boost efficiency, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction.
“Manhattan SCALE has delivered significant improvements in real-time visibility, optimising picking routes, stock placement, bin capacities, and warehouse space utilisation,” commented Chris Mason, New Zealand Safety Blackwoods, head of operations. “Pickers are no longer required to rely on personal knowledge of stock location to find goods. Since its deployment, we have reported a reduction in picking errors from an average of 3.5% to below 1% - a significant improvement for the high-volume operation.”
As New Zealand Safety Blackwoods prepares to consolidate its three Auckland-based DCs into a single, state-of-the-art distribution centre by 2026, Manhattan SCALE will be instrumental in preparing both its new automated infrastructure and the workforce for the transition, ensuring a smoother changeover and readiness for the enhanced workflows expected in the new facility.
“The shift to a consolidated, automated DC will allow us to fulfill customer orders faster and more accurately, with orders potentially arriving in a single shipment instead of multiple deliveries from separate locations. With SCALE, we are building a foundation that will support our strategic growth and ensure that our operations remain agile and efficient,” Mason added.
“NZ Safety Blackwoods is a fantastic example of how leveraging advanced warehouse management technology can unlock new levels of operational efficiency and accuracy,” said Raghav Sibal, Australia-New Zealand managing director of Manhattan Associates. “We’re proud to support its journey as the team modernises operations and prepares for future growth through automation.”
