Case Study: Caterpillar achieves faster, more accurate parts fulfillment with Dematic automated order fulfillment

Caterpillar - Customer Case Study

Caterpillar faced the challenge of fulfilling aftermarket parts orders from its Morton, Illinois distribution center, which manages over 1.4 million part numbers for global customers. The goal was to enhance the customer experience by reducing order processing times and increasing operational efficiencies, labor productivity, and warehouse space utilization. To address this, they partnered with vendor Dematic for an automated order fulfillment system.

Dematic implemented a goods-to-person system centered around a mini-load automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) and a network of conveyors. This solution automated material flow, from receiving to shipping, and brought parts directly to ergonomic workstations for operators. The results for Caterpillar included a significant increase in labor productivity, a decrease in order processing time, improved inventory accuracy, and the creation of high-density storage capacity for future growth, all achieved without needing to construct a new building.

Caterpillar