The Bon-Ton Stores Manages Fast-Paced Retail Operations With HighJump Warehouse Management System

JOC Staff |
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (Dec. 1, 2009)--HighJump Software, a global provider of supply chain execution solutions, announced The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., one of the top U.S. department store companies, has implemented HighJump Warehouse Advantage in three distribution facilities under tight timelines.

Most recently, The Bon-Ton Stores implemented the HighJump WMS in its Fairborn, Ohio distribution center, which supports operations for 70 retail stores. The HighJump system manages a fully automated material handling system and coordinates movement of store merchandise — 85 percent of which is routed onto outbound trucks within four minutes of arrival at the warehouse. The remainder of the merchandise is routed for value-added services like re-ticketing or tagging before being shipped to stores.

“The installation went very smoothly, which was critical since we launched it during peak receipts,” said James R. Rawlins, Senior Vice President of Distribution and Logistics, The Bon-Ton Stores. “The improved visibility of ASN purchase order and inbound trailer information has been extremely beneficial and is contributing to efficiency improvement.”

The Bon-Ton Stores has an aggressive growth plan for its online business and expects to double the number of orders it processes over the upcoming holiday season. The company has increased productivity in the area by 13.6 percent. Additionally, the solution has helped increase inventory accuracy and enhance visibility of the fulfillment workload, aiding planning for daily staffing.

“We’ve been impressed with so many aspects of our HighJump warehouse management system, from its scalability, to the quick implementations, to the excellent support we’ve experienced,” said Lora Hardin, Divisional Vice President, The Bon-Ton Stores. “To keep our customers coming back, we need to get products to our stores quickly. HighJump Warehouse Advantage helps us move products efficiently and accurately, ensuring customers get the products they want, when they want them.”

Timothy Campbell, President and CEO, HighJump Software, said, “The Bon-Ton Stores’ success demonstrates the ability of the HighJump WMS to manage complex, high-volume retail operations. The fast implementations that got the company ready for the holiday season are a testament to HighJump’s first-class professional services group.”

The Bon-Ton Store plans to begin managing its fine jewelry business with its HighJump WMS and will track its high-value jewelry all the way to its stores. The jewelry will bypass the distribution center and go straight to stores, where it will be received at the jewelry counter. The company also plans to finish rolling out the HighJump system into its two remaining retail DCs.

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates 279 stores, including 12 furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates and, under the Parisian nameplate, stores in the Detroit, Michigan area. The stores offer a broad assortment of brand-name fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. http://www.bonton.com


About HighJump Software Inc.
Forward-thinking companies entrust HighJump Software to power their supply chains. HighJump Software simplifies the art and business of creating, selling and moving products across global networks. HighJump Software has helped more than 1,500 clients worldwide drive growth and manage change. http://www.highjump.com


HighJump is a trademark of HighJump Software Inc. Other names and trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.