MSC Case Study | Distribution | Bastian Solutions

MSC Boosts Throughput and Labor Efficiency with Goods-to-Person Automation

MSC, one of the nation's largest distributors of metalworking and MRO supplies, delivers more than 2.4 million products to small and mid-sized manufacturers with a strong commitment to fast, accurate order fulfillment. To meet increasing customer demand and improve workforce efficiency, MSC once again partnered with Bastian Solutions to automate key processes at its Elkhart, Indiana and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Customer Fulfillment Centers.

A long-time customer of Bastian Solutions, MSC has collaborated on several successful automation projects over the years, including implementations at its Harrisburg, PA and Reno, NV facilities, as well as upgrades in Elkhart, IN and Atlanta, GA.

With over 570,000 SKUs at the 545,000-square-foot Elkhart facility alone, manual processes were no longer sustainable. The need for a faster, more ergonomic and scalable solution was clear. Bastian Solutions evaluated MSC’s existing operations and designed a tailored system to increase throughput without requiring additional facility space — all while improving the working experience for warehouse associates.

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“Bastian was able to come into our facility and evaluate our processes and tailor a solution to help us meet our objectives.”
– Darin Russell, Sr. Director of Supply Chain Engineering Services, MSC

Key Technologies

MSC’s automated solution integrates several advanced systems to streamline inbound product handling, picking, and outbound order fulfillment:

Results

By automating key workflows with a repeatable and scalable solution, MSC is well-positioned to continue delivering on its customer promise—efficiently, accurately, and on time.

Nearly 40% labor savings by reducing repetitive, manual picking tasks
Higher throughput and productivity, supporting faster customer order cycles
Improved ergonomics, helping reduce strain and improve associate safety
Faster order turnaround, enhancing the customer experience
Cross-training opportunities made possible through easier-to-use automation interfaces