Medline has deployed a system called Pick Pack Pro in its distribution center in Montgomery, New York. This launch represents a significant investment in advanced automation to support its health insurance clients, particularly Medicare providers. Pick Pack Pro has been designed to optimize order processing for a limited range of products but high transaction volumes. Unlike traditional distribution models with thousands of references, health plan orders typically rely on a selected catalog of common medical supplies such as over-the-counter medications, heating pads, or compression stockings.
Members of these health plans purchase these items during specific ordering periods. This consumption pattern generates intense logistical activity peaks throughout the year, followed by more regular volumes the rest of the time. Pick Pack Pro integrates optimized order grouping, robotic sorting, as well as automated packaging and shipping to address the delivery time and precision challenges inherent in serving insurers and their members.
The system is expected to help Medline improve the reliability and speed of deliveries, a crucial issue for its care provider clients. The Montgomery installation was developed with three key suppliers and represents Medline’s first capital and personnel investment in this technology. Pick Pack Pro utilizes Tompkins Robotics solutions for item sorting and routing, Trew’s solutions for integrated movement and box sorting, and Ranpak’s sustainable automated packaging solutions for optimized packaging and shipping.
Medline plans to deploy Pick Pack Pro at other sites within its network of 45 distribution centers across the United States.
