‘47 Brand, previously known as Twins Enterprises, supplies players and fans with licensed merchandise for the MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA and Collegiate athletics programs throughout the country. In order to meet increasing demand and significant seasonal spikes, ‘47 Brand recently expanded into a new, larger Global Distribution Center in Brockton, MA.

The new 300,000sf facility is home to an increased inventory base to satisfy its expanding retail, wholesale, and ecommerce sales channels. The operation was designed to accommodate the seasonality of product demand during the major sporting seasons. This model was recently tested with the Red Sox capturing the World Series, where sales spiked to record highs.

Over 70,000 individual SKUs are slotted in case stock and carton flow rack, arranged by teams to help drive high customer and SKU demand through the system quickly via a zone routing conveyor and ship sortation system. To complement the new Material Handling systems, ‘47 Brand deployed a new Warehouse Management System to manage and execute business requirements for the DC. Boston Industrial worked with ‘47 Brand on an effective warehouse design, development of equipment specifications and ROI, and leading the software / hardware procurement. BI also teamed with ‘47 Brand to assure a successful system implementation.

With BI’s assistance, ‘47 Brand selected partners including Abel Womack for material handling storage and conveyor equipment and Invata for their Warehouse Management System.

 On The Lookout

• See how Walgreen couples automation with its diverse workforce of both disabled and non-disabled employees to help drive its word class DC in Anderson. For more information, click here.

In The Pipeline

• BI is working with Red Thread, New England’s leading office furniture and A/V provider, on the launch of its new DC in North Haven, CT.
• AED device maker, Zoll Medical Corporation, revamps their finished goods operation with BI leading the design and implementation efforts.