Case Studies

Multibras Increases Shipping and Supply Chain Capacity with RF Mobile Computing

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In January 2005, Multibrás, the largest white-line manufacturer in Latin America, implemented Intermec equipment at the company’s assembly lines in the city of Joinville, Brazil (state of Santa Catarina). With some 60 Intermec CK30-C mobile computers, the logistics division was able to enhance the information exchange process between the stock room and shipping.

Multibrás wanted to automate processes between its raw material and production line departments as well as in warehouse management and expedition. Improved productivity and delivery capacity were its goals.

At the plants that manufacture Brastemp automated system increased the ease and speed of key processes. Raw material ordering, order issuing and item shipping from the plant to the warehouse, among other tasks, became more agile. The company saw great gains in the re-supply of its stock rooms.

Today all forklifts at the plant are equipped with Intermec CK30-C mobile computers. Based on supply rules and using warehouse and SAP management systems, managing the logistics flow has become significantly faster, easier and more efficient.

After nine months using the CK30-C mobile computers, Multibrás has increased its supply capacity. It also has shown higher customer and employee satisfaction, as the company now gets automatic shipping orders at the port. This facilitates the work of the shipping division in forwarding and entering the products to ship. Reducing manual controls also improved employee productivity by cutting idle time and eliminating human error.

“In addition to minimizing routine shipping bottlenecks, the great challenge of increasing logistics productivity has been met through the use of information technology,” said Augusto Cruz, Multibrás head of the Information Technology division for Latin America. Cruz also mentioned that the company is considering expanding the project to other areas.

An important factor that also influenced Multibrás’s selection of Intermec equipment was the support of the radiofrequency identification (RFID) option that could be added to the CK30-C mobile computer with minimum investment. Multibrás wanted real-time information to feed into its SAP warehouse management module. RFID would provide faster process speed but tighter security.

CK30-C

Not only are the radio-frequency mobile computers robust and economical, they feature the graphic Windows CE.NET (Win CE 4) platform. This platform assigns intelligence that assists the equipment in performing validation. The compact CK30-C model is rugged, dust-proof and reliable. Intermec mobile computers provide high performance, power and speed, customizable hardware and software, development tools, scalability and expansibility.

The wireless CK30-C is ergonomic, antiskid and easy to handle. The model Multibrás chose features a color display with high contrast and integrated battery, Bluetooth™ technology for the wireless scanners and mobile printers, and a 400 MHz processor. RAM and Flash memories have 64 MB.

About Multibrás S.A. Eletrodomésticos

Created in May 1994 as the result of a Brastemp and Consul merger, Multibrás S.A. Eletrodomesticos has become the largest white-line manufacturer in Latin America. Today the company is a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation, the largest global manufacturer of household appliances.

Multibrás is the only company in Brazil that manufactures all white-line products with the brands Brastemp and Consul: refrigerators, horizontal and vertical freezers, ranges, washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwave ovens, air conditioners and purifiers. With Brastemp brand, the company also offers small household appliances like mixers, coffee makers, blenders and food processors.

With net sales of approximately R$2.5 billion in 2004, the company today employs some 8,000 workers at its plants in Sao Paulo; Rio Claro (SP); Joinville (SC) and Manaus (AM). It also has administrative offices in Sao Paulo, Argentina and Chile, and a distribution center in Tambore (SP).