One of the largest food banks in the United States based out of Brooklyn NY has an incredible task of feeding the 5 boroughs of New York City. The ability to take food and redistribute it within the timeline of when that food is no longer safe for consumption means you are constantly on the clock. What’s more 1.2 million people in New York City struggle to feed themselves and or family with 1 in 4 children uncertain as to where their net meal will come from. There is a lot at stake for so many people involved with this food bank. Understanding the magnitude of this not-for-profit supply chain and the ability to cut any unnecessary steps to pick up, transport, store and deliver more food is absolutely critical.

The Director of Transportation and Operations when looking at the various components of their supply chain realized that over 80% of palleted food moved was performed using their 25 electric walkies. From truck pick up to pallet storage an electric pallet truck would lift the palleted food and weigh it on a floor scale before moving it to its drop off spot. Always looking to improve efficiency this manager reached out to purchase one SkidWeigh Classic SC5, electric pallet truck scale. This initial purchase was to determine to what extent they could remove the process of weighing product on a stationary scale and save valuable time.

The first three months of the SkidWeighClassic SC5 trial was so successful that a business case was put together and approved to retrofit all 25electric pallet trucks. The time saved in the following processes that the investment not only paid for itself but allowed them to streamline their supply chain and improve delivery.  

First a good portion of their strategy is to pick up food at a remote location. Prior to the introduction of the SC5 a paper record would need to be filled out upon pick up and matched with the skid and contents. Later when received along with a full truck load someone would need to weigh each skid on a floor scale and allocate that back to the paper and the source of pickup. This could take up to 3 days of reception.

With the SC5 installed on the pallet jack the skid of food is weighed right then and there, beginning and ending the administrative requirement. What is more many of the shipments did not need to come back to the central hub and could be dropped off immediately where needed. Another area of supply chain improvement was found in the many companies such as supermarkets and food manufacturers who supply surplus food to this foodbank. With the SC5 the skid of food is weighed right on the truck, bypassing the scale altogether and is either reloaded on an outbound delivery vehicle or put directly into storage. With the addition of 24 units the R.O.I., return on investment was calculated in weeks not months. More importantly the time efficiency helps this food bank move more food to where it is needed. Integrated Visual Data Technology is the number one supplier for food banks all over North America. We are extremely proud to be a part of such an important service to our communities.