Lasco Fittings, a Tomkins Company, has recently implemented a new Auto ID solution from Nutech Systems. Lasco is a manufacturer and distributor of injection molding fittings for irrigation, plumbing, industrial, pool/spa and retail markets. Headquartered in Brownsville , Tennessee , Lasco operates 8 regional centers throughout the U.S.A for distribution worldwide.

Lasco's Manual ID card system for picking and put-away of finished goods has been in operation for the past 30 years. Although it was serving its purpose, like all manual systems, it had its frustrations. Cards were not where they were expected to be because someone else was using them. Cards went missing because they had been misplaced or misfiled or the information was incorrect or incomplete. Personnel had to enter the data from the cards into MAC-PAC manually. While the front office was busy entering the data, shop floor personnel were looking for the cards so they could complete their tasks and vice versa. Information was forever lagging behind the decisions that needed to be made. Lasco didn't want to live with the wasted time and inefficiencies any longer.

Nutech Systems, the official Auto ID partner for TDCI, provided the solution - a serialized pallet ID barcode system. In Phase I of the project, the system automated the product receipt procedure, giving Lasco the beginnings of a paperless system and the elimination of the redundant dual card box system. Phase II involved extending serialization to all other warehouse procedures that included warehouse receipt reconfirmation of part numbers and quantities. Once received, the system facilitates the movement of the product to either an in-house location or re-routes it to one of their other distribution centers. Lasco now can immediately enter data via the RF terminals, thereby eliminating data entry errors, has directed put-away and picking, and is using their human resources much more efficiently. Lasco is enjoying a complete wireless facility as a by-product of the data collection project. They anticipate that by the end of August they will have rolled out the data collection system to 6 of their 8 facilities.

According to Debbie Worden, Lasco Vice President, "what we especially like is the time efficiency - the availability of the data in real time, the portability of the data via the hand-held screens and the elimination of the cost of having pre-printed forms."

With offices in both the U.S. and Canada , Nutech has implemented over 600 facilities with Auto ID worldwide. Nutech will be participating at Perspectives 2004. This year they will be making a presentation on "what you need to know if you are considering an RFID pilot project" and will also be discussing the Lasco project. Make sure you attend their presentation on August 23 at 3:20 p.m. to learn more.