Miniload being retired layoffs

[0593mech02]

At our DC with the minload area being retired they have most of EnF scared with the announcement of laying off EnF mechs to cut the head count, wonder if it’s the same with other DCs that have miniloads as well ?

 

[Grunt]

What is a miniload area?

 

[0593mech02]

What is a miniload area?

It’s a automated process where cranes put away and retrieve freight that comes from inbound which is 23 cranes that puts away freight in racks up to 3 stories high

 

[targetdude1]

Heh I remember our GM talking about that coming to us for yrs. Like a lot of Target promises/threats never happened. Like when we were gonna pick freight with mcdonalds drive thru mic's...

Might be a whole lot more layoffs coming if Trump doesn't stop this tariff CRAP.

 

[Hal]

At our DC with the minload area being retired they have most of EnF scared with the announcement of laying off EnF mechs to cut the head count, wonder if it’s the same with other DCs that have miniloads as well ?

Nothing yet. Only your building right now.

I don't have as many sources in E&F side of the business so might take me a minute.

EDIT: So far it's only your building but the layoffs track. With loss of automation it results in a reduction of mech headcount. It's unfortunate but same thing happened at 579 with the gutting of auto rebin.

Selfishly I hope they gut miniload across the network. It's been a piece of garbage since we got it. But I would have hoped they would have found a replacement. It seems like Target is taking a pause from automation. Even the ART replacement, ITM, is on hold

 

[0593mech02]

Nothing yet. Only your building right now.

I don't have as many sources in E&F side of the business so might take me a minute.

EDIT: So far it's only your building but the layoffs track. With loss of automation it results in a reduction of mech headcount. It's unfortunate but same thing happened at 579 with the gutting of auto rebin.

Selfishly I hope they gut miniload across the network. It's been a piece of garbage since we got it. But I would have hoped they would have found a replacement. It seems like Target is taking a pause from automation. Even the ART replacement, ITM, is on hold

The word they gave us that all sites are aligning with other DCs without Miniload and said it’s more cost effective and won’t be renewing the contract with swisslog who own the cranes and the rights to the software we use. We have the itm at our building and it’s been a nightmare. No parts available or the vendors have no clue where to even get the parts for their equipment. Currently we have mechs digging their own grave dismantling the cranes for parts to send to other DCs.

 

[FlowTeamChick]

How does reducing automation lead to lower head count? Seems like it would take more hands to do the work the machine isn't?
(Can you tell I don't work at a DC? But I am curious.)

 

[0593mech02]

Due to the amount of equipment (conveyors, labelers, cranes) it takes amount of mechanics to do preventative maintenance to reduce downtime and keep stuff in tip top shape, but with the amount of automation the Miniload areas has there’s no need for the extra techs, but in turn if they install more rackings they will need more OPs.

 

[Dcnewb4now]

Nothing yet. Only your building right now.

I don't have as many sources in E&F side of the business so might take me a minute.

EDIT: So far it's only your building but the layoffs track. With loss of automation it results in a reduction of mech headcount. It's unfortunate but same thing happened at 579 with the gutting of auto rebin.

Selfishly I hope they gut miniload across the network. It's been a piece of garbage since we got it. But I would have hoped they would have found a replacement. It seems like Target is taking a pause from automation. Even the ART replacement, ITM, is on hold

I’m surprised it took so long to ditch AR. Didn’t seem to save the amount of hours at stores as they thought it would. It only made the rest of the building less efficient.