Letterkenny Munitions Center reforms supply inventory control operations

Photo By Natasia Kenosky | Letterkenny Munitions Center’s Supply Support Warehouse after the recent upgrade. (Photos provided by Tammy Hartman, Letterkenny Munitions Center.)  

CHAMBERSBURG, PA, UNITED STATES

04.24.2017

Story by Natasia Kenosky 

Letterkenny Munitions Center

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – In early 2017, Letterkenny Munitions Center completed the first phase of their Supply Chain Optimization Strategy by upgrading their supply warehouse inventory systems to state-of-the-art mobilized storage retrieval systems to improve operations.

LEMC’s Supply Chain strategic objectives include improving processes, increasing audit readiness, controlling inventory and reducing excess inventory to become more effective and efficient in order to reduce costs and increase readiness. This new system increased supplies storage capacity by 60 percent.

During a weekly commander’s walkthrough of the supply building in late 2016, Patrick Kissel, Chief, Administrative and Supply Teams, discussed the necessity for replacing antiquated processes and equipment with his team and Lt. Col. Trenton Conner, commander, LEMC.

Mr. Kissel and his team created specifications for the warehouse and equipment upgrades, including new storage retrieval systems, as well as installation of warehouse insulation, heating along with other warehouse improvements. The work began early February 2017 and completed in mid-March 2017. The new system is operational and the team is currently phasing inventory into place.

Prior to the new system, LEMC stored supplies in cabinets and on shelves in the uninsulated warehouse. Paperwork on the outside of the cabinets showed which supplies were in the cabinet and the team reordered supplies using visual inspections. A tracking file existed on a shared computer drive, but LEMC needed stricter inventory control measures.
Physically, the improvements in the warehouse appearance is striking. New cost saving LED lighting and a freshly painted floor brighten the work area. In addition, new insulated overhead doors, ceiling and wall insulation and a heating system alleviate extreme temperatures.
LEMC installed two new storage retrieval systems, a multi-bin mobilized storage system and replaced the cabinets. Bins can be moved apart to access supplies and closed and secured at the end of the day. A multi-rack mobilized storage system operates the same, but is used for pallets and larger items. Both storage systems have safety sensors for moving bins.

As part of the upgrade, LEMC now uses the Army inventory program, Automated Tool Inventory Control and Tracking System, to keep track of expendable/consumable supply inventory. Kissel’s team input an accurate inventory into the program and set specific locations for items in the new storage retrieval systems. The program, acts a lot like a point-of-sale terminal. It allows the team to set minimum/maximum levels and reordering points, pull reports, as well as track, issue and return inventory.

“This is such an improvement,” said Joyce Walters, Work Leader, Supply Team. “Now with the new storage systems and item visibility in ATICTS, our team can locate, pick and reorder inventory easily using the new system.”

In order to control supply inventory, the team uses a barcode scanner and labels for picking, issuing and inventory. These upgrades will help ensure Army Audit requirements are met by LEMC.

Moving forward, the team plans to acquire a new forklift to use within the racking system. They are also utilizing process improvement concepts to create a new receiving area to receive and sort supplies for storage and pick up. Future phases of the strategy will further improve and reform supply chain processes at LEMC to reduce the cost of readiness to the U.S. Army.

LEMC is located on Letterkenny Army Depot and is a Government-Owned, Government-Operated installation. LEMC conducts regional and global distribution of munitions, provides missile maintenance, and conducts demilitarization of munitions for the U.S. Army in support of Joint Forces and international partner nations.

• Date Taken: 04.24.2017
• Date Posted: 04.24.2017 07:40
• Story ID: 231299
• Location: CHAMBERSBURG, PA, US