Feb 27: Vertex Interactive Implements Order Fulfillment System At Rite Aid; Adds 10,000 Pick-to-Light Locations At Rite Aid's Woodland, CA Distribution Center
Business Editors
FAIRFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 2002--Vertex Interactive Inc. (NASDAQ - VETX), a global provider of integrated supply chain execution and order fulfillment solutions, today announced that it has implemented an order fulfillment system with over 10,000 pick-to-light locations in a third Rite Aid facility, located in Woodland, CA.
Previous facilities implemented include Rite Aid's Mid-Atlantic Customer Support Center (MACSC), located in Perryman, MD with approximately 30,000 pick-to-light locations, and Rite Aid's South-West Customer Support Center (SWCSC), located in Lancaster, CA with approximately 20,000 light locations.
Rite Aid, one of the nation's leading drugstore chains, with approximately 3,500 stores across 28 states and the District of Columbia, obtained the Woodland, CA distribution center with their acquisition of Thrifty PayLess Drug Stores in 1996. Although this 513,000 square foot facility already had over 8,800 lights in place, Rite Aid determined that it was necessary to expand the existing light system to support volume growth and expansion of their product base. Rite Aid decided to implement Vertex's technology based on their ability to maintain the functionality of Rite Aid's existing light systems and to provide a single point of interface to the Warehouse Management System (WMS). "Vertex was able to offer their solution at a competitive price and on an accelerated schedule that coincided with Rite Aid's business requirements," said Frank Matunis, Manager of Logistics Engineering at Rite Aid.
The Vertex eFulfillment system controls four PicRite(R) pick-to-light subsystems, distributes orders from the WMS to the existing light-pick system, and tracks each re-usable tote from order induction through picking. The pick system displays each tote number and the number of pieces to pick at each pick location. Scanners make tote induction simple and fast. The Woodland, CA facility operates two shifts six days per week and replenishes each store in the region on a weekly basis.
Rite Aid previously implemented order fulfillment solutions from Vertex at facilities in Lancaster, CA in 1999 and in Perryman, MD in 1997. The 925,000 square foot Lancaster facility, which supports over 425 Southwestern stores, utilizes Vertex's eFulfillment system with over 20,000 pick-to-light locations to control their order fulfillment process. At the Perryman, MD facility, Vertex provided a single point of interface to Rite Aid's WMS for all "less than case" order picking technologies, including the A-frames and carousels provided by other vendors. Vertex also provided the displays and controls for the carousels, and developed custom software to drive stand-alone label printers and automatic label printer applicators, further reducing the interface requirements between the WMS and material handling equipment. At this facility, Vertex's eFulfillment system controls over 30,000 pick-to-light locations, includes 19 PicRite(R) pick-to-light subsystems, 10 TurnRite(R) carousel control systems (30 carousels), and 16 automatic label applicators. This facility maintains what is believed to be the largest pick-to-light system in North America.
About Rite Aid
Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with annual revenues of more than $14 billion and more than 3,500 stores in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases are available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.
About Vertex Interactive
Vertex Interactive is an international provider of supply chain management technology with operations in North America and across Europe. Vertex offers a comprehensive range of software systems and tools, from point solutions, to integrated end-to-end hardware and software solutions, for enterprise wide and collaborative supply chain optimization.
Vertex Interactive's broad portfolio of products include advance planning and scheduling with forecasting, purchasing and multi-sourcing; fixed and mobile order entry, processing and fulfillment; inventory, warehouse, and transportation management systems. Vertex's inventory and warehousing product suite also covers a range of point solutions which provide instant productivity gains including "light-directed" systems for picking and packing, intuitive software and integration technology for handheld devices, auto ID and printing solutions (for standard, 2D and 3D bar coding), and a suite of mobile data collection solutions for SAP R/3 implementations.
Combining this extensive product portfolio with its own industry-leading consultancy, expertise in systems integration and customisation, and unrivalled ongoing support and maintenance for hardware and software systems, Vertex Interactive provides its customers with a genuine supply chain 'solution'. From improving the pick rate in a single warehouse, to fully integrated dynamic planning and execution system in a collaborative environment, Vertex provides companies with the right solution to ensure instant efficiency savings and a rapid return on investment.
Vertex has a rapidly growing international presence, with customers including leading companies such as, ABX USA, Air Express International, Avery Dennison, Bacardi Martini, Bic, Bristol Myers Squibb, Coca Cola, Daimler Chrysler, Express Dairies, Georg von Opel, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, Kraft Foods, Merck, Pfizer, Nestle, North Sea Ferries, Parts Express, Wal-Mart and Warner Lambert. For additional information, please visit its web site at www.vertexinteractive.com
Safe Harbor
Certain statements contained herein may be forward-looking in nature and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. The Company's recent acquisition history, progress toward completing the integration of its acquisitions, history of operating losses, current expense levels compared with its sales, and the state of development of its product portfolio, coupled with the overall economic and competitive operating environments pose a number of risks investors should take into consideration in connection with assessing our financial and operating results. A more detailed discussion of these and other important risk factors can be found in the documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on forms 10-K and 10-Q. Towards the end of each fiscal quarter, Vertex Interactive will have a `Quiet Period' when Vertex Interactive and its representatives will not comment concerning previously published financial expectations, and we disclaim any obligation to update during the Quiet Period. The public should not rely on previously published expectations during the Quiet Period. Vertex Interactive's Quiet Period at the end of its fiscal first quarter is expected to run from March 15, 2002 until earnings are released the second or third week of May 2002. Investors should not expect that these forward-looking statements will be updated or supplemented as a result of changing circumstances or otherwise, and Vertex Interactive disavows and disclaims any obligation to do so.
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CONTACT: Vertex Interactive Inc.
Scott Wright, 973/777-3500 x336
Vice President Investor Relations;
KEYWORD: NEW JERSEY CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS HARDWARE RETAIL SOFTWARE
SOURCE: Vertex Interactive Inc.
URL: businesswire.com
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