Torrid

Distribution center improves safety, communication with new paging system and digital clocks

Fashion retailer Torrid opened in 2001 with one goal: Be the fashion destination for plus-size women who want to be on-trend and wear clothing that fits impeccably.

The company now operates more than 500 stores in the United States and Canada.

To support all those retail stores and process e-commerce orders, Torrid acquired a distribution facility in West Jefferson, Ohio.

The building is massive—nearly 1 million square feet, including 3-story “pick” areas, conveyor systems, and office space. And it came with two big communications problems: a 50-horn paging system that was unintelligible in most areas and analog clocks that required too much human intervention to maintain.

After seeking recommendations and vetting potential technology partners, Torrid selected Integrated Building Systems to design and install the solutions needed to improve communication and safety.

“Our final decision to move forward was during a conversation with their customer. It became apparent IBS is the vendor of choice for our projects,” said Troy Wren, a Supply Chain Project Manager at Torrid.

IP-based paging solution

To fix the paging problem, Integrated Building Systems designed a new solution that would provide even coverage and intelligible communications through the distribution center. The legacy system broadcasted over 50 speakers; the new, appropriately-sized solution employs nearly 500 horns.

The new system operates with Nyquist, Bogen’s state-of-the-art IP-based communications system. This software-based solution resides on Torrid’s local area network, making it faster and easier for the IT team to manage. Now the paging system can easily interface with emergency notifications, weather alerts, and a cloud-based telephone provider.

“Our newly installed Bogen communication speaker solution installed by IBS provided the much-needed clarity,” said Troy.

Digital clocks

Next came a late-stage request to upgrade troublesome analog clocks. In such an enormous facility, replacing batteries and making adjustments for daylight savings time was a significant challenge. Torrid wanted a system that was easy to manage, required less labor, and offered better visibility—and they needed it completed on a tight timeframe.

Integrated Building Systems met the challenge by efficiently deploying a 900Mhz wireless clock system with one master clock and 19 LED clocks. Floor supervisors noted that, no matter where employees are in the distribution center, it’s easy to see what time it is.

Troy said, “IBS nailed this one as well by installing another Bogen solution that synced to a master clock requiring little to no intervention.”