Spinnaker SCA

6 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 10 He highlights a unique project that exemplifies the company’s multifaceted approach. “We’re currently engaged with one of the largest shoe distributors in the world, working across five geographies. They’re deploying Manhattan Active, and we’re helping them strategize on how to integrate a vast landscape of automation tools across all these regions.” Navigating Unique Markets: The Hawaii Case Study Garcia also delves into the intricacies of operating in a unique market like Hawaii, a locale that presents its own set of challenges and opportunities. “Hawaii is constrained by two significant factors: expensive real estate and labor shortages. These constraints, however, make Hawaii a fertile ground for automation, particularly advanced automation. “Given the limited availability of labor and the high cost of real estate, automation offers a viable solution. It allows for higher density in storage and better throughput, essentially doing more with less,” Garcia elaborates. The return on investment (ROI) in automation is not as straightforward in Hawaii as it might be in larger markets. “In a traditional distribution center, you might reduce the workforce from 300 to 40, but in Hawaii, you’re starting with maybe 100 employees and reducing that to 50 or 40. The ROI is more challenging to achieve,” Garcia notes. “This is where our advisory services come into play, helping clients find ways to make these solutions financially viable. Distribution across the Hawaiian Islands adds another layer of complexity. “Everything enters through Honolulu and is then distributed to other islands via barges, which are a public utility in Hawaii with fixed tariffs and demand,” Garcia says. “Additionally, Hawaii has a significant military presence, creating what could be considered a separate sales channel with its own pricing and service level agreements.” Garcia underscores the importance of understanding both hard and soft factors when applying technology solutions across different markets. “While hard facts like dollars and labor lines per hour are crucial, soft factors around specific demographics