Outfitting a New Facility
Project Overview
Headquartered in Hanover NH, Hypertherm is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacturing of innovative industrial cutting solutions. With increasing sales volume, Hypertherm needed a new warehouse and distribution facility to meet the current and future growth of their business. Bode was contracted to outfit the new facility with racking and shelving, which increased storage capacity twenty-fold and improved the flow of raw materials and finished products into and out of the facility.
The Full Story
From its humble start in a two-car garage in Hanover NH, Hypertherm has grown from a local company into an international player in the design and manufacturing of innovative industrial cutting solutions. Today, Hypertherm ships its products to over 93 countries. Nearly all products are designed and built in the USA, with a majority of the work centralized at its now state-of-the-art headquarters in Hanover. Bode Equipment Company has completed numerous projects for Hypertherm as it has grown and expanded its facilities over the years. When Hypertherm needed to outfit this new distribution facility, it made sense that Bode’s name would come to mind. In August 2014, Bode received the RFP for the project which was created with the help of Marc Wulfraat of MWPVL International, a global supply chain and logistics consulting firm. Wulfraat, who developed the initial facility design, material specifications and operating methodologies for the new center, was immediately impressed by Bode’s responsiveness and attention to detail even during the RFP process.
“The best quote we received, by far, was from Bode,” says Wulfraat. “It conformed 100 percent to what was requested. We knew right from the get-go that they had the right attitude and wanted to win the business.”
Bode Project Manager, Mike Slide, participated in numerous calls and site visits to field questions from staff at Hypertherm and MWPVL. As the process progressed, this consultative approach resulted in improvements to the original facility design, while simultaneously reducing costs.
“I really appreciated Bode’s consultative approach and their willingness to work with other consultants,” states Doug Devers, Warehouse Operations Leader at Hypertherm. “Mike was very approachable and always willing to supply information and explore alternative approaches.”
This attention to detail and quality, combined with the smooth communication flow and collaborative spirit, won Bode the project. Two hundred and two bays of pallet racking, over 220 uprights, 1,700 beams, 99 bays of shelving, 616 full-width carton flow lanes, and a variety of aisle and upright protectors were installed in just two weeks despite weather delays and project change orders.
The final installation gave Hypertherm the capacity needed to accommodate the growth of their business. The new facility will house a two-shift operation of 72 employees handling the flow of inbound raw materials and outbound finished products. Thanks to Bode’s consultative approach, the new facility was also outfitted with the right equipment to handle a new, heavier product that was in development. The new facility design increased warehouse space by twenty-fold and created a more efficient flow of product both in- and outbound. Hypertherm has since contacted Bode to add more shelving, racking, and accessories to the 40,000 square foot facility to complement the layout and movement of product.
“Over my 22 years of work in this industry, this is one of the best projects I’ve had the pleasure of be involved in,” adds Devers. “The constant communication and the desire to keep us informed throughout the entire process along with the flexibility to accommodate change orders while still keeping our project on schedule is why I wouldn’t hesitate to hire Bode again and again.”
“We appreciated Mike’s candor and responsiveness throughout the entire process,” says Wulfraat. “The entire Bode team was very honest and did great work with no surprises. I would happily work with them again.”