Mecalux Easy WMS Manages Samson Controls

SAMSON, a manufacturer of modular control valve products for fluids, slurries, steam and gases, has installed Easy WMS in its US warehouse. The Interlake Mecalux software has improved the company’s workflow through efficient storage strategies.

At SAMSON, everything flows
SAMSON develops high-quality products designed to reduce downtime and maintenance costs for its clients. The company manufactures, sells and distributes top-grade control valves — including modular linear globe, rotary, ball and butterfly types — in various metals and sizes. It serves sectors handling water, process fluids, slurries, steam and gas applications across several industries. SAMSON Controls USA distributes its products worldwide, with a strong focus on the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Controlling the flow, pressure and temperature of steam, gases and liquids is critical in many industries. SAMSON designs and manufactures essential components such as control valves, self-operated regulators and automation solutions. Its US subsidiary SAMSON Controls distributes these products worldwide, with a strong focus on the United States, Canada and Mexico. SAMSON Controls wanted to boost its order throughput and improve inventory accuracy in a way that would facilitate these tasks for employees. To achieve this, the company implemented Interlake Mecalux’s Easy WMS warehouse management system in its facility in Baytown, Texas.

“We wanted a system that would work out-of-the-box and require as few modifications as necessary. Interoperability was a key factor,” says James Evans, COO at SAMSON Controls. With Easy WMS, SAMSON Controls picks orders more efficiently through optimised putaway strategies. The software also enables much more agile management of nearly 9,500 unique items and around four million components.

SAMSON Controls assembles models on demand and personalises its products for each client and application. It works with components that vary considerably in size and weight, ranging from a few grams to several hundred kilograms. Product families often share a substantial number of parts, which are stored in “supermarkets” — mini distribution centres near the assembly lines that enable fast, reliable replenishment.

Coordinated order picks
At SAMSON Controls, materials not stored in these “supermarkets” are picked through a two-step process. Heavier parts are stored on very-narrow-aisle selective pallet racking, while smaller components are kept in high-density vertical lift modules. When needed, Easy WMS directs both types of products to a consolidation area where they are palletised before being moved to assembly.

“Since implementing Easy WMS, we’ve achieved a higher number of daily putaway, picking and shipment tasks,” says Evans, who also highlights the system’s robust cycle-counting capability. This solution is a key asset for the company’s demand-driven operations. Today, SAMSON Controls processes around 50 orders per shift, each containing an average of 40 components. “Our order picking efficiency has increased markedly, leading to shorter throughput times,” says Evans.

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