Wire and Cable Inventory Management for Cut-to-Length Distributors

Cut-to-length cable orders provide great value for electrical contractors. Rather than purchase a whole reel, contractors ask only for what they need to complete the given job. They may opt to receive their order on a ready-to-pull cable reel. A delivered solution like that improves job profitability while helping field crews reduce on-site scrap. It helps cable distributors maintain high customer satisfaction.

To successfully offer this value-added service, however, electrical wholesalers must overcome a logistical challenge. Cut-to-length orders often leave the distributor with partial reels. It becomes difficult to maintain inventory visibility, which makes it harder to manage material costs. 

The solution is a combination of digital and physical cable inventory management tools, working together to maintain accurate counts for electrical wholesalers. 

ERPs for Continuous-Length Products Improve Wire Inventory

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software modules can conduct inventory management on continuous-length products (wire and cable, yes, but also rope, hose, tubing, etcetera. These software solutions combine data from sales, inventory, purchasing, and more business functions into a single database, generating real-time tracking reports that answer the question, “How much wire is on that reel?” This data is essential for accurate demand forecasting and timely inventory replenishment.

Of course, these digital cable inventory management tools only work if the data you feed them is accurate. How do you make sure you accurately track every linear foot of cable you pack for shipment? The answer is with an automated cable counter integrated into your reel-filling system. By monitoring waste patterns through precise measurements, wholesalers can protect their margins.  

Cable Counting Spool Winding Trolleys

Spool Winding Trolleys from BHS solve two problems at once. They fill single or multiple reels with one or more runs of cable without manual exertion, and they count the order’s foot-length while they do it. 

Two models of Spool Winding Trolleys are available, each of which approaches cable counting a little differently. The SWT-LITE comes standard with a mechanical cable counter, which keeps track of each linear foot of dispensed cable. Users can choose to upgrade to the optional digital cable counter, which offers multiple units of measurement and instant resets. 

The SWT-PLUS model Spool Winding Trolley integrates cable counting with its digital autorun cycle capability. The autorun cycle allows users to specify cable length through the touchscreen. From there, users just have to engage the foot pedal, and the Trolley will dispense the allotted length of cable. 

Both models are designed to roll over jack stands to limit reel handling requirements. These are shaftless respooling machines that turn reels via an overhead rim drive. This design allows you to fill reels on the jack stands or Parallel Reel Payouts you use to ship them; it saves time during the preparation of delivered solutions like cut-to-length cable orders.   

To learn more about the unique design of Spool Winding Trolleys from BHS, or to discuss how Wire & Cable Handling Equipment can support your cable inventory management system, contact us at 1.800.BHS.9500 today.