Automated Carousel Distribution System Key Component of Webvan's Success; High-Tech Solutions Move Past The Web Page and Into the Warehouse.Business/Technology Editors LEWISTON, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 2000 Diamond Phoenix Corporation, a leading provider of automated au·to·mate v. au·to·mat·ed, au·to·mat·ing, au·to·mates v.tr. 1. To convert to automatic operation: automate a factory. 2. material handling solutions for warehousing and distribution, recently completed the design, and successful installation of the second in a series of high-speed automated warehouse systems for leading Internet-based grocer Webvan Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBVN). Webvan is unique among Internet grocers in that it guarantees a 30-minute delivery time for its online orders of grocery items, drug store merchandise, and other consumer products. Gary Dahl Gary Dahl, an advertising executive from Los Gatos, California, conceived the idea of selling rocks to people as Pet Rocks, complete with instructions. The 1975 fad only lasted about half a year, but that was enough to make Dahl a millionaire. , vice president, distribution of Webvan Group, Inc., says "Diamond's exceptional technology and engineering expertise were key components of our proprietary automated material handling system and the ultimate success of this technology and our flagship site." "The only true measure of successful e-tailing is delivering the goods on time," says Larry Strayhorn, President of Diamond Phoenix. He added, "It's the back-end operations--filling orders promptly and accurately and providing on-time delivery and top-notch customer service--that are going to spell success for retailing on the Internet." A vital element of the Webvan system is a series of Diamond Phoenix automated carousels, which employ customized software See custom software. to control the storage and retrieval of thousands of items. By automatically retrieving items from storage for distribution, the use of Diamond's exclusive carousel technology can mean filling orders 5 to 6 times faster than with conventional methods, raising productivity and significantly reducing labor costs. Strayhorn predicts that the ability to deliver orders quickly and accurately will be the deciding factor in weeding weed 1 n. 1. a. A plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted, as in a garden. b. Rank growth of such plants. 2. out the already crowded e-retailing arena. "Getting customers to the web site is only the first step. We're pleased to have been able to help Webvan make superior customer service the linchpin linch·pin or lynch·pin n. 1. A locking pin inserted in the end of a shaft, as in an axle, to prevent a wheel from slipping off. 2. of their success," he concluded. Diamond Phoenix is a leading full-service provider of automated warehousing storage and retrieval solutions for manufacturers and product distributors in a variety of industries worldwide. The company, with headquarters in Lewiston, Maine Lewiston, in Androscoggin County, is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Maine. The estimated 2007 population was 37,734. It is one of two principal cities of and included within the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area and the , has offices in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , CA; Charlotte, NC; Dallas, TX; Madison, WI; Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, city (1990 pop. 189,126), seat of Kent co., SW central Mich., on the Grand River; inc. 1850. The second largest city in the state, it is a distribution, wholesale, and industrial center for an area that yields fruit, dairy products, farm produce, , MI; Cleveland, OH; Hartford, CT and Philadelphia, PA. For more information on distribution and customer service challenges facing the e-retail industry, visit www.diamondphoenix.com |
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