• Emerson Climate Technologies Opens New Distribution Center

    Feb. 1, 2003
    Emerson Climate Technologies[TM}, St. Louis, MO, has opened a new distribution in Indianas Hancock County, 10 miles east of Indianapolis. The center is

    Emerson Climate Technologies[TM}, St. Louis, MO, has opened a new distribution in Indiana’s Hancock County, 10 miles east of Indianapolis. The center is designed to expand the logistical capabilities and capacity of Emerson Climate Technologies’ Distribution Services group, which provides aftermarket distribution and support for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration customers.

    According to Emerson, the new state-of-the-art warehouse features one of the most sophisticated warehouse management systems in the HVACR industry. The facility will act as the central distribution point for two Emerson Climate Technologies divisions: Copeland and Alco Controls. Emerson Motors products will be added to the center later this year.

    The new facility increases Emerson’s warehouse space by 46%, allowing for additional expansion in the future. The 130,000 sq.ft. building features a cross-dock configuration for discreet inbound and outbound activities, a mezzanine area that efficiently utilizes warehouse space, and a sophisticated warehouse management system that ensures a high degree of inventory and shipping accuracy. It will manage aftermarket distribution to over 2,000 wholesalers, OEMs and distributors worldwide, and stock more than 10,000 Emerson Climate Technologies products, kits and parts.

    “With an average of 6,000 shipments a month, we rely on our warehouse management system to help us locate critical product quickly and get it out the door to our customer,” says Glenn Russell, manager of the new distribution center. “The modern design of the facility will enable us to more efficiently handle material – from receiving and stocking to order picking and shipping, while the quicker cycle times will also us to exceed customer service expectations.”

    Emerson Climate Technologies first introduced its Distribution Services group one year ago, announcing plans to consolidate the sales, marketing and logistics support for Copeland, Alco and Emerson Motors aftermarket customers.

    During a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the opening of the new facility, vice president and general manager of Distribution Services, Mark Gibson, commented on how the distribution center strategically positions Emerson Climate Technologies for improved delivery performance and customer response. “With a layout designed for high velocity product movement and new features like cross-docking, this distribution center is equipped to provide the most efficient service to our aftermarket partners -- so in turn, they can deliver the vital replacement products that contractors and end-users need.”

    Gibson also explained that providing a single point-of-contact for orders and shipments offers another advantage for Emerson’s customers. “We’re finding ways to streamline our processes, with a goal of saving our customers time and reducing their distribution costs with combined deliveries.”

    St. Louis-based Emerson had sales in fiscal 2002 of $13.8 billion. Emerson Climate Technologies includes brands such as Alco, Browning, Copeland Scroll, Emerson Motors, Emerson Ceiling Fans, Therm-o-Disc and White-Rodgers.