One of the reasons Willoway aimed to improve its shipping processes was to improve capacity for the spring shipping season. | Willoway Nurseries
Editor’s note: For this article, Greenhouse Grower Editor Brian Sparks talked to Nicholas Moser, Chief of Distribution at Willoway Nurseries in Avon, OH, about how the company has implemented lean flow into its shipping process.
Brian Sparks: What were you looking to improve in the shipping process at Willoway?
Nicholas Moser: Our main goals for improving our shipping process were to gain efficiencies, design the workflow to have better ergonomics for our employees, and develop a system to gain capacity for our spring shipping season.
Sparks: What were the specific steps you took?
Moser: First, we defined the processes we wanted to make more efficient based off conversations with key dock and shipping employees. Then we met with FlowVision to discuss what the next steps would be. After creating a plan, we had to start building and integrating software and physical changes to our docks. Once these changes were completed, we implemented the new processes, and we continually meet to discuss what is working and what we need to improve upon. Departments are working together to make the system run smoothly for Willoway.
Willoway Nurseries worked with FlowVision to improve its shipping dock layout. | Willoway Nurseries
Sparks: How was the process of working with an outside company?
Moser: FlowVision came out and helped teach and train employees. Their staff, along with key Willoway staff, helped to build the software connections and dock layouts. The internal planning came into play when we had to decide how the system would work for Willoway.
Sparks: What have the results been so far, and where do you still see room for improvement?
Moser: The overall result was successful, but we had a few challenges that we had to work through. When implementing any new system, there will always be hiccups and things that don’t work the way you intended them to. Over the season, we have been working with our employees and sales staff to identify what worked and what didn’t. We are now working on the steps to implement Phase 2 for the 2025 shipping season.
Sparks: What will Phase 2 involve?
Moser: We will be building additional automation into the system, creating more visual clues to help define if key areas are on/off track, and what still needs to be completed. There will also be a few additional steps to help improve the overall customer experience.
