Halfords eliminates delivery errors and boosts productivity with voice picking system

Leading Dutch bicycle supplier streamlines its logistics chain with Zetes' voice picking system

Servicing around 160 stores in the Netherlands and Belgium with 4200 products and 2.7 million pick orders annually, the warehouses of leading bicycle and car accessory producer Halfords have a lot on their plate. To improve productivity and reduce delivery errors, Halfords approached Zetes to install a voice picking system. From day 1, the benefits have far exceeded expectations.

14,000 extra hours gained

Zetes’ voice picking solution 3iV Crystal is not only entirely paperless, it is also seamlessly integrated with the company’s new ERP platform, Axapta and Medea logistics execution system. The drastic reduction in delivery errors (75%) has made in-store delivery checks redundant, saving the company over 14 000 hours a year in productivity; hours better spent boosting sales and serving customers.

The results speak for themselves

• 75% reduction in delivery errors
• 10 - 15% gains in productivity
• 14 000 man hours saved
• Real-time order processing
• Paperless delivery handling
• Hands and eyes-free operation
• Improved job satisfaction

Everyone on board

Despite the very diverse team at Halfords, with ages ranging from 18 to 63, the new voice-controlled order-picking system is so easy to use that everyone is extremely enthusiastic. The mood in the warehouses – even during peak periods – has visibly improved and people go about their work calmly and with focus. Even casual staff, usually prone to a high rate of errors, quickly become accustomed to the system, which has allowed Halfords to drop in-store delivery checks much sooner than anticipated.