Infor WMS Powers First Supply’s New Distribution Center with Exotec Automation

West Salem, Wisconsin (US) – September 2025 – First Supply, a leading distributor in the plumbing, HVAC, PVF, and industrial supply sectors, has successfully launched its new central distribution center, purpose-built to deliver scalable, high-efficiency fulfillment across its 50+ branch network. The facility went live with Infor CloudSuite WMS from day one, marking the culmination of a strategic engagement with SNS that encompassed warehouse design, automation strategy, and system selection.

The new DC represents a bold leap forward in First Supply’s logistics capabilities. From the initial concept phase, SNS worked closely with First Supply to design a facility that integrated advanced technologies, including Infor CloudSuite WMS, Jungheinrich’s Warehouse Navigation System, Cubiscan dimensioning units, and a robust transportation management system (TMS) — all working together to streamline operations from receiving to shipping.

A key component of the long-term strategy is the integration of Exotec’s Skypod System, scheduled to go live in August 2025. This goods-to-person robotics solution will automate the storage and retrieval of small parts, feeding orders to packing stations and sortation conveyors for carrier-specific dispatch. By design, the facility is already optimized to support the Exotec solution as part of a hybrid automation approach.

“From day one, we envisioned a facility where layout, systems, and automation work as one — and that’s exactly what we now have,” said Michael O’Brien, Vice President of IT at First Supply. “Our partnership with SNS allowed us to build for the future from the ground up, and going live with Infor WMS at launch has enabled us to hit the ground running with visibility, accuracy, and scalability.”

The WMS deployment delivers real-time inventory control, process standardization, and performance tracking across a wide and complex product mix, including cantilevered pipes and regulated materials. The combination of system-driven processes and automation significantly reduces picker travel time and accelerates throughput, ensuring operational agility in support of e-commerce growth and multi-branch fulfillment.

“This project showcases the value of aligning warehouse design with system thinking from the very beginning,” said Wadih Assouad, Regional Manager North America at SNS. “Together with First Supply, we built a roadmap that connected the dots — from physical flow to digital control — creating a facility where technology and operations are perfectly synchronized.”
As First Supply prepares for the next phase of its automation journey, the company remains committed to innovation and continuous improvement — setting a new standard for distribution excellence in its sector.