POWER March 2014 - 22

Customized Storage Solution
Improves Efficiency
Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) operates
four baseload plants in the state of
Nebraska. In 1993, when the North Omaha
Station added a new warehouse, OPPD
sought help from Vidmar to create effective
storage solutions for small parts and
large palletized items, as well as to provide
ideas for general organization within
the workspace.
About three years ago, OPPD began
exploring and utilizing " lean " practices-a
customer-centric methodology
used to continuously improve any process-looking
for ways to reduce waste
and increase efficiency.
One of the first locations to use the
process was the Elkhorn Service Center.
OPPD reviewed inventory handling and
storage procedures in its warehouse and
instituted a number of changes. Results
were tremendously successful, saving
about $180,000 in the first year.
The outcome led to further reviews at
other service centers and power generating
plants, including at North Omaha
Station. Lean teams looked at a variety
of systems and examined many different
options. After extensive evaluation, the
company opted to install the STAK system
manufactured by Vidmar (Figure 1). A deciding
factor was OPPD's previous experience
with the supplier.
Working with Vidmar Territory Sales
Manager Chuck Eacock, OPPD upgraded
the shop and benefitted from a 70%
space savings. The workbenches improved
organization and the STAK system
allowed for expansion as business
needs grew. The cabinets were custombuilt
to fit the warehouse's exact needs
and specifications. Height, width, number
of drawers, and drawer layouts were
all custom-configured to maximize productivity.
" There
are numerous operational benefits
from the standpoint of having so
many parts in a consolidated area, " said
Chris L. Rush, who works in the North
Omaha Stores Material Management division.
" We can now organize the cabinets
by application. Within each cabinet there
is the opportunity for such an array of
different configurations of drawers that
we have not run into an issue that we
can't handle. "
The STAK adjustable racking system
(Figure 2) improved workplace efficiency
by providing ample storage space and the
versatility to store a host of items, from
the smallest computer component to the
largest valve. Utilizing space saved by the
Vidmar STAK system and cabinets, OPPD
was also able to implement the use of pallet
racking.
" Now that we have proper storage,
everything is consolidated into a small1.
A view of a storage area utilizing the STAK system. Courtesy: Vidmar
2. A view of the adjustable racking
system in use. Courtesy: Vidmar
er footprint, so there is less walking
around, with stored parts always within
easy reach and full view. This means an
improved bottom line for Omaha Public
Power and fast, effortless retrieval for the
craft guys, " said Rush.
OPPD has hosted several tours for
other facilities' management personnel
seeking insight on how customized storage
products can improve work areas and
make employees more efficient. Overall,
the lean process-including use of the
STAK system-has helped the company
reduce waste, control costs, and make
better use of inventory and materials. It
is all part of an overall push to be more
efficient and cost-productive throughout
the company, which is now more important
than ever.
" Every company wants to do more
with less and make better use of its
resources. We are no exception. The
changes we have made have helped us
do that, " said Rush.
-Edited by Aaron Larson, a POWER
associate editor (@AaronL_Power, @
POWERmagazine).
22
www.powermag.com
POWER | March 2014
http://www.powermag.com

POWER March 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of POWER March 2014

Contents
POWER March 2014 - Cover1
POWER March 2014 - Cover2
POWER March 2014 - Contents
POWER March 2014 - 2
POWER March 2014 - 3
POWER March 2014 - 4
POWER March 2014 - 5
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