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While demand exploded , inventory levels crashed . It was a challenging time .
But under Gord ’ s leading guidance , Lee Valley Tools refused to stand still . Instead , it looked to tackle the situation head-on .
Sound investment
“ We began researching warehouse technologies in 2021 ,” he remembers . “ We needed a solution that could address the scale of our e-commerce volume , optimize storage space , and reduce dependency on seasonal labor .
“ Beyond our objectives , an investment in technology would need to deliver sustainable improvements to our foundational warehouse capabilities . There was so much out there : robotic delivery systems , collaborative robotics , high density storage and automated pick systems , mini-shuttle systems , and so on .
“ The choice ended up being obvious ,” Gord smiles . “ We landed on a high-density storage and automated pick system , which we felt best served our objectives .
“ In mid-2022 , we committed to AutoStore and its pioneering cube storage automation systems ,” he reveals . “ With them , we found out that we could consolidate 40,000 square feet of ground level pick locations into a 5900-square-foot cube . The technology will go live in late summer 2023 .
“ Our pick capacity will greatly enhance , and we can scale to cover peak times without an army of seasonal employees . With AutoStore ’ s 1150-plus systems in operation , we knew we had made a safe and sound investment .”
A revamped website and expanded digital marketing strategies meant that online orders began to flood in . Prior to the pandemic , e-commerce sales accounted for just a third of company revenue . However , three years later , it makes up more than 50 percent of all sales . Lee Valley Tools proves that you don ’ t have to be a high-tech start-up to dominate e-commerce channels . Rather , you just need the right direction and confidence to make a sound investment in cutting-edge technology . ■
www . leevalley . com
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