Case Study: Christopher & Banks achieves flexible, lower‑cost, no‑downtime DC operations with Honeywell Intelligrated (Honeywell)

DC Retrofit Meets Christopher & Banks’ Growth Needs for Flexible Supply Chain

Christopher & Banks, a specialty women's apparel retailer with 789 stores, needed to modernize its 200,000 sq. ft. Plymouth, MN distribution center to support high inventory turns, just‑in‑time replenishment and growing direct‑to‑store and direct‑to‑consumer fulfillment. The DC suffered from aging conveyors, a paper‑based picking system, high transportation costs and ergonomics/maintenance issues. Christopher & Banks engaged Honeywell Intelligrated (Honeywell) with integration partner Cardinal Materials Flow to design a cost‑effective retrofit and semi‑automated fulfillment solution.

Honeywell implemented a phased live‑facility retrofit—new pick‑to‑light and pack‑to‑light lines, ergonomically designed shelf‑conveyor assemblies, two‑level motor‑driven roller (MDR) accumulation, a central merge/sorter, automated sealing/weighing/labeling and an overhead empty‑carton conveyor—so picking and shipping could run independently without downtime. The project delivered measurable gains: 50% faster turn‑time, 160% higher shipping productivity, 200% higher packing productivity, 99.9% accuracy, 45% reduced labor, 40% lower transportation costs, 25% energy savings and a 10‑month ROI, while improving safety and ergonomics.

Christopher & Banks

Lorna Nagler

CEO