Simplot Foods

Tippmann Construction has been developing automated solutions for several years in an attempt to help their customers become more efficient and reduce labor costs. One of Tippmann’s automation partners highlighted an opportunity with Simplot, and the relationship developed over time during the project design phase.

During that design process, Tippmann Group took Simplot on a tour of one of their Interstate Warehousing facilities. While it was not exactly the same type of facility Simplot would be building, it gave them an opportunity to see and experience first-hand the quality of construction at a facility built by Tippmann Group. From design to construction on site, Tippmann Group’s team led the effort to coordinate all aspects of the project. The plant-attached AS/RS distribution facility in Caldwell, ID is approximately 200,000 square feet and is designed for maximum efficiency.

Pallet rovers move the product from the attached production facility into the fully-automated freezer warehouse. The high bay freezer includes AS/RS stacker cranes with rail shuttles for product storage and retrieval.

The facility also utilizes a low oxygen fire prevention system, only the 4th of its kind installed in the United States, shifting the focus of the warehouse from fire protection to fire prevention as a way to help mitigate the risk of product loss in the warehouse.

This project was one of two AS/RS projects being built by Tippmann Construction for Simplot at the same time.

Facility Details:

• approximately 200,000 square foot plant-attached AS/RS distribution center
• Rack-supported high bay freezer facility
• AS/RS stacker cranes
• low oxygen fire prevention system (only the 4th of its kind installed in the U.S.)
• in excess of 55,000 pallet positions
• truck and rail dock doors