Central Steel & Wire, a prominent supplier of high-quality metal products, has made a significant move from its Chicago facility, where it had operated for 80 years, to a new state-of-the-art product depot and service center in University Park, Illinois. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the company as it adopts cutting-edge technology, including Automated Guided Vehicles, to optimize material handling processes. As a member of the Ryerson Family of Companies, CS&W is committed to meeting the demands of diverse clients while enhancing operational efficiency.
Nicole Giesie, CS&W’s Vice President of Operations, highlighted the innovative nature of this shift, stating, “For the first time in the metal service center business, we brought in AGVs to replace standard material handling equipment.” This transition allows the company to utilize driverless vehicles for storing and retrieving materials, significantly improving order fulfillment and reducing the reliance on manual labor.
The new facility is designed to maximize the benefits of AGVs by incorporating specialized racking systems. To achieve this, CS&W recognized the need for a layout with consistent pocket locations to facilitate efficient movement of materials. Giesie noted that the existing facility’s damaged racking arms would have limited the effectiveness of the AGVs. By investing in a new facility, CS&W aims to overcome these challenges and improve overall operational efficiency.
The University Park facility spans 900,000 square feet and requires 18,000 storage locations to accommodate approximately 6,000 product SKUs, collectively weighing around 22,680 metric tons of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and specialty metals. Additionally, the facility will support value-added services such as precision cutting and tube laser operations. This ambitious project represents a significant expansion for CS&W and demonstrates its commitment to enhancing service delivery.
To equip the new facility, CS&W partnered with Steel King Industries, a manufacturer known for durable racking and material handling solutions. The two companies have a longstanding relationship, with CS&W supplying steel for Steel King's products. Giesie emphasized that Steel King’s reliability and engineering expertise made it the ideal partner for this project. The new facility features Steel King's I-beam cantilever racking, which allows access from both sides and maximizes storage efficiency.
Container Systems, a Steel King dealer, played a crucial role as the project manager for the installation. Giesie praised their involvement, stating, “In a project of this size, there is a lot that can go wrong... Having Container Systems involved removed that burden from us.” This collaboration ensured that the installation process was smooth and completed ahead of schedule, despite the project’s scale.
The cantilever racking system includes over 1,000 double-sided columns and more than 30,000 arms, allowing for the efficient storage of a wide range of metal products. Mike Scarlati from Container Systems noted the logistical challenges of the project, highlighting that it took 70 truckloads to deliver the necessary racking and guard rail components. He emphasized the importance of timely delivery in keeping the installation process uninterrupted.
Furthermore, the new racking system allows for narrower aisles, increasing storage density and overall efficiency. Kurt Larson, Steel King's regional sales manager, explained how their engineering solutions guided AGVs, optimizing the facility’s layout. This flexibility enables CS&W to adjust its racking configurations as needed, a significant improvement over their previous facility, where adjustments were impossible due to welded racking elements.
By leveraging advanced technology and strategic partnerships, CS&W is well-positioned to enhance its operational capabilities and meet the evolving needs of its customers. This transformation signifies a bold step toward modernizing the metal service center industry, demonstrating how innovative solutions can lead to greater efficiency and productivity.
