Live from WERC 2024: Tractor Supply Co

In this special episode of the New Warehouse Podcast, hosted by Kevin at the WERC 2024 conference in Dallas, we dive deep into the operations and innovations at Tractor Supply Company with guests Gabby Knoll, Manager of MHE and Automation Engineering, and Will Sparks, Director of Inventory Planning Systems and Analytics. These industry experts shed light on the unique challenges and advancements within the retail supply chain, particularly focusing on material handling, automation, and inventory management.

Tractor Supply’s Expansive Network

Tractor Supply, with its substantial footprint in 49 states and over 2,200 stores, is highlighted by Will. He provides insights into the company’s strategy, which includes operating ten distribution centers (DCs) that handle both retail and e-commerce orders. This dual functionality of DCs is key to their operations, enabling flexibility and efficiency in managing their vast inventory. He also discusses how they leverage their stores as fulfillment points and get creative with limited back room storage space at the retail level.

Tackling Automation Challenges

Gabby discusses the difficulties of automating such a varied product mix at Tractor Supply. The challenge lies in automating the handling of both large items like riding lawnmowers and small items like kitten collars. The strategy involves segmenting the DC processes by product size and investing in automation for smaller items. Tractor Supply is focused on proofs of concept for new automation technologies, ensuring they are scalable and flexible to future-proof their operations.

The Importance of Data Integrity

Both guests stress the significance of data integrity for successful automation and inventory management. Gabby notes that data cleanliness is crucial for accurate analysis and effective automation. Will adds that the decoupling of control systems in modern automation solutions can complicate data management. Maintaining transparency and ensuring proper integration between control systems and the warehouse management system (WMS) are essential for robust supply chain operations. It is also important for data to sync up between different business units which Gabby and Will dive into on how they are able to collaborate to ensure that automation strategies align with the needs of inventory management and allocation strategies. One key call out by Will is that if they are able to create better flexibility and storage density with automation then they can take advantage of things like volume orders and manage more of the long tail SKUs in house compared to having to get direct deliveries from suppliers.

Tune into the episode and leave your thoughts in the comments.

For more information on Tractor Supply head to their site here.

To connect with Gabby find them on LinkedIn here.

To connect with Will find them on LinkedIn here.

Want more from WERC 2024? Check out these episodes:

Live from WERC 2024: Insights from Big Joe

Live from WERC 2024: Custom Bonded Warehousing with Meiborg 3PL

Live from WERC 2024: Rapyuta Robotics