RM Williams

View the details behind our VLM Case Study

R. M. Williams is an iconic Australian footwear and clothing company. It is best known for producing chelsea boots for men and women.

Project Background

RM Williams, an iconic Australian brand renowned for quality craftsmanship, was expanding production to meet growing demand. With this growth came the need for a more sophisticated approach to storing specialized leathercraft tools and hardware—items that require careful organization and protection. Equally important was enhancing workplace safety across the facility. The existing storage setup relied heavily on ladders and manual handling to access items at height, creating unnecessary risk and slowing operations. A smarter, safer solution was essential.

Project Details

Constraints

The project presented unique constraints that demanded both precision and sensitivity. Delicate, high-value brass hardware required a clean storage environment compatible with climate-controlled conditions—protecting components from dust, humidity, and handling damage that could compromise their quality and finish. Beyond functionality, the solution also needed to respect the facility’s distinctive character. Any system installed had to integrate seamlessly into a workspace where traditional craftsmanship and modern automation coexist, complementing heritage techniques rather than disrupting the artisanal environment the brand is celebrated for.

Implementation

The implementation delivered an elegant solution that balanced efficiency with employee wellbeing. Two Vertical Lift Modules were installed, consolidating all production hardware into a compact 15-square-meter footprint—freeing valuable floor space while bringing thousands of components under centralized control. Critically, the system was configured with ergonomic delivery heights, presenting items at an optimal position for each operator. This thoughtful design eliminates repetitive strain, reduces bending and reaching, and protects staff from the physical demands that plagued the previous manual storage approach.