Bosco and Roxy’s optimizes warehouse logistics with SSI Schäfer

Bosco and Roxy’s, a manufacturer of gourmet dog treats, has optimized its warehouse logistics to support the company’s growth. Founded in 2007, the company operates an 80,000 square meter production facility in London, Ontario, and has become one of the largest pet food bakeries in North America. The products are distributed not only in Canada and the USA but increasingly in the UK and the EU as well.

Optimization of Warehouse Structure

Until recently, Bosco and Roxy’s operated three separate warehouses, which complicated inventory management and transparency regarding the various products. This fragmented structure posed a challenge, particularly in handling seasonal products. Additionally, the need to control temperature across multiple facilities led to higher operating costs. To address these challenges, the company sought a centralized warehousing solution that would increase storage capacity and optimize daily operations.

During the design phase, SSI Schäfer was involved in the process to develop a mobile shelving solution. This solution allowed Bosco and Roxy’s to consolidate the three external warehouses into a single, efficient facility. By optimizing the use of available floor space and vertical height, pallet capacity was significantly increased without expanding the building’s footprint. Ted Archer, Industrial Engineer Manager at Bosco and Roxy’s, stated, “Previously, we had three external warehouses. It was always difficult to know which product was in which warehouse. Therefore, it made a big difference for us to have everything under one roof.”

Increase in Storage Capacity and Efficiency

By utilizing three ESX mobile shelving systems, storage capacity was doubled from 1,700 to nearly 3,700 pallets. This allows for a significantly higher inventory storage at a single location. The mobile shelves reduce the number of aisles and improve space utilization through high density. Additionally, the overall height of 9.6 meters is optimally utilized.

Operational efficiency has also been enhanced. The optimized layout allows for quicker access to pallets and ensures smoother workflows as well as improved inventory visibility. The elimination of the two temperature-controlled warehouses at 23 °C has reduced operating and energy costs. Archer explained, “The costs for air conditioning, electricity, and heating have decreased. Our products need to be stored at controlled temperatures, so a larger building means more air conditioning and thus higher heating costs in winter.”

The new system was designed for seismic zone 2 and is built for easy maintenance. It allows for quick training of staff and ensures consistent daily performance.

By centralizing all products in a single facility, Bosco and Roxy’s has achieved its goals and implemented a scalable mobile shelving solution designed for long-term growth. The result is a more efficient and cost-effective warehousing operation that supports higher throughput while being prepared for future demands. Ted Archer summarizes, “I would definitely recommend this system to anyone looking to increase their storage capacity or anyone building a brand new facility and looking for ways to optimize space utilization.”