Architectural Grille in Brooklyn, New York

Managing the Inventory of Numerous Small Sheet Metal Pieces efficiently

Architecural Grille needed to implement an organized tracking system for the various small sheet metal pieces that they accumulate, enabling efficient retrieval of specific pieces for the production of custom grilles, thus reducing time wastage and optimizing material use.

Implementing the Vidmar® Vertical Lift Module (VLM) at Architectural Grille provided an efficient and organized solution for tracking and optimizing the use of small sheet metal pieces. The VLM's high-density vertical storage tower, operated by an intuitive touch-screen computer system, streamlined the retrieval process for workers. With a quick setup and user-friendly software, the VLM enabled easy integration into the shop's operations. Architectural Grille’s VLM has 160 racks that hold 551 pounds of scrap metal, for a total of 18,000 pounds of material.

By establishing a structured process for loading and organizing scrap metal pieces, Architectural Grille achieved enhanced efficiency in material management, leading to significant time and cost savings. Has it been worth the investment? Giumenta thinks so; in fact he calls it “a no-brainer.” His workers started retrieving pieces from the machine before it was even fully loaded. “When they need a small piece, now it’s the first place they look. They can quickly find just the right piece for the job, and we end up wasting a lot less material,” he says.

Improved efficiency and organization allow easier access to parts, faster retrieval, and increased worker productivity.