Utilizing different systems such as Jennifer and the Lucas Management Console from Lucas Systems, RNDC has doubled bottle picking productivity while also improving accuracy to a rate of over 99 %.
Lucas Systems’ Dynamic Pallet Builder is a new, innovative software that uses data to determine the trade-offs needed to optimally pick, group, sequence and stack items on one or more pallets at a time.
" This personalized approach provides optimal efficiencies for us, and it also gives our customers more flexibility when placing orders. Both are extremely important," says Veritable Vegetable owner and CEO Mary Jane Evans.
TECHNOLOGICAL INVESTMENTS
Breakthru Beverage Group is continuously looking to drive innovation in all of its warehouses. Over the last few years, the distributor has made strategic investments to strengthen its operations, ensuring they can deliver seamless service even amid a changing environment.
“ Our focus is to build for the future and ensure that our infrastructure and capabilities align with our customers’ needs and our growth ambitions,” explains Julian Burzynski, EVP and chief operating officer at Breakthru.“ In recent years, Breakthru invested more than $ 75 million into its operational capabilities across its footprint by expanding warehouse capacity, incorporating new technologies and bolstering automation.”
At the beginning of 2025, Breakthru appointed Glenn Remoreras as the company’ s chief information officer. According to Burzynski, Remoreras immediately dove right in, making comprehensive improvements to the company’ s IT infrastructure and digital capabilities.
“ We’ ve invested in new data sources and analytics platforms that put the consumer at the heart of our operations,” adds Burzynski.“ These insights are actionable by our sales teams while in the field servicing our accounts. This has led to promising results ensuring we have the right product in the right account ready for the right consumer.”
As technology continues to advance, Breakthru will continue to make investments in this area to strengthen company processes, making it easier for its suppliers and customers to do business with them.
“ BREAKTHRU NOW is our B2B e-commerce solution that provides real-time, expanded portfolio access, and an enhanced customer experience to make Breakthru the easiest distributor to work with,” says Burzynski.“ It was developed in partnership with suppliers to broaden exposure of their brands and allow customers to manage their business anytime, anywhere enabling them to drive growth and optimize decisions. We leverage technology to enhance our business and services, offering a digital connection with customers while maintaining a seamless and supportive experience that aligns with how we serve them in person.”
EXCITING STRIDES FOR SOUTHERN GLAZER’ S
Southern Glazer’ s Wine & Spirits is another distributor that aims to stay ahead of its competition through strategic warehouse innovations. Recently, at the company’ s Geismar, Louisiana location, they installed a new conveyor belt and palletizing system with energy-efficient upgrades.
“ We’ ve also started using drones for automated cycle counting, which boosts inventory visibility and keeps our team out of high-risk tasks,” says Karli Sage, senior director of emerging technology at Southern Glazer’ s.“ On the delivery side, we’ re piloting image-based proof-of-delivery and real-time tracking labels, giving
suppliers added confidence. These innovations help us build safer workplaces, improve relationships and create customer trust, all while scaling responsibly.”
Karli Sage is the senior director of emerging technology at Southern Glazer’ s Wine & Spirits.
And Southern Glazer’ s isn’ t stopping there. Right now, the company is actively exploring autonomous mobile vehicles, collaborative robotics, space-efficient storage systems and digital simulation tools that help model operations before making changes.
“ A great example is our partnership with Symbiotic— bringing in AI-enabled automation to optimize how we store,
6 Beverage Wholesaler • Fall 2025 www. beveragewholesaler. com