Timber wholesaler Woodvision reduces order picking errors by 90% thanks to SAP EWM

Seasonal peaks and growing pains

Every year, Spring prompts many people to start working in their gardens, resulting in a sharp rise in demand for garden products. For Woodvision, the second quarter—from Easter to the summer holidays—accounts for roughly half of their annual revenue. To cope with this seasonal peak, the company operates in shifts. During these busy months, the core team of 85 employees is temporarily expanded by about 40 additional workers.

Before implementing an automated warehouse management system, Woodvision’s warehouse operations lacked digital support. As a result, the logistics process heavily depended on a small group of experienced employees who knew exactly where each product was located. Due to rapid growth and an expanding set of logistics tasks, this way of working came under pressure. The COVID-19 pandemic doubled the company’s revenue, which led to an overwhelmed warehouse. On top of that, Woodvision was assigned the responsibility of handling small B2C orders from Kampen in addition to bulk B2B deliveries.

From hectic operations to reliable inventory and error-free fulfillment

The lack of clear process control led to inefficiencies, errors, and frustration on the work floor. Employees frequently had to search for missing products, resulting in lost time and unreliable inventory records. Mistakes in order picking triggered returns and undermined trust in inventory accuracy. This situation became untenable, and in 2022 the decision was made to implement a structural solution.

Under the leadership of Operations Director Peter van der Velde and in collaboration with Aiden, a new warehouse management system was rolled out. Within just nine months, SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) was successfully implemented and adopted. Thanks to an innovative approach using unique labels, the transition was both swift and precise.

The main goal of introducing the WMS was to bring more order to warehouse operations and reduce dependence on the knowledge of individual employees. By standardising processes, all employees—regardless of experience level—can work in the same consistent way, increasing control and continuity in operations.

SAP EWM was implemented on time and without major customisations. The WMS supports both bulk and consumer orders and directs all tasks via handheld terminals. Employees scan barcodes at every step, enhancing accuracy and ensuring a uniform workflow across the team.
All warehouse rules are embedded in the SAP EWM solution, significantly reducing reliance on experienced personnel. Clear instructions via the terminals help employees navigate the warehouse more efficiently and make fewer mistakes.

Support in the picking process has led to a 90% reduction in errors. Temporary workers can now be trained in half the time it took previously. SAP EWM offers complete traceability of items, including individual order tracking and accurate stock registration. The results: fewer returns, more reliable delivery promises, and higher customer satisfaction.

From recording to orchestrating: data-driven process optimisation

According to Peter, the successful implementation of the WMS is only the beginning. ‘The real journey of improvement starts now. Soon we’ll leave paper pick lists behind for good and switch from annual to periodic inventory checks.’ Physical stock-taking will be replaced by continuous, cyclical counts, fully supported by the system.

By analysing the data from handheld terminals, Woodvision gains valuable insights into performance on the shop floor—revealing who works most efficiently and what factors influence that. These insights form the basis for defining standards and implementing targeted improvements. Best practices are actively shared across the team, paving the way for further process optimisation and continuous quality improvement.