Flexible simulations for manufacturing

The Kroger Co. is one of the largest retailers in the United States. Its manufacturing division produces 43% of corporate brand units sold in its stores. Kroger¿s 15 dairies operate at near-full capacity and produce all varieties of fluid milk, orange juice, cultured products such as yogurt and cottage cheese, novelty treats and non-carbonated beverages. Kroger and Visual8 Corp. have created a Flexible Dairy Cooler Simulator which is used in the analysis of production schedules, cooler layouts, picking methods, staffing levels, and shipping schedules at each dairy. The tool offers the flexibility to represent, through a drag-and-drop interface, the layout of any current or future Kroger Dairy. This presentation will demonstrate how this tool is being used to help Kroger streamline operations while improving customer service levels, and explore the tactical value of day-to-day use of a standardized simulation tool in the manufacturing environment.