With the rapid increase of the pace of manufacturing and distribution, facilities that automate manual processes will increase their ROI and grow their bottom line. Customer demand is ever increasing, right along with the costs to service that demand. You want your warehouse to deliver faster and more efficient results without sacrificing production. You’re looking at automating components within your facility to produce this change. But how can you really get started?
Tags: Warehouse Management, warehousing, Material Handling, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, distribution center, e-commerce, warehouse productivity
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Online sales will account for 17% of all U.S. retail sales by 2022, up from a projected 12.7% in 2017. As you might imagine, warehouses are suffering from a major capacity crunch. Whereas previously warehouses were organized to handle large volumes of each product, E-commerce orders are characterized by a low quantity of many items or just a singular item. In an e-commerce oriented warehouse, huge quantities of SKUs exist, each needing their own specific storage slots.
Warehouse managers know that inventory levels can fluctuate anytime within a sales season, especially during a holiday when inventory levels are typically at their peak, often double or triple normal levels. Plus, because of the Amazon-effect, consumers are demanding more products with faster and better service, putting additional strain on warehouse space. Because of this growth, many businesses are looking for additional space to distribute and store products, but warehouse real estate is hard to find.
What is a retailer to do? The answer for additional space can be found within the four walls of your current operation.
Tags: warehouse, e-commerce, Order Picking & Fulfillment
Posted in Space Optimization & Planning|
3PLs frequently serve as the central communication conduit between shippers, carriers, regulatory agencies and other supply chain participants as cargo moves in-bond and from port-to-port. As a result of this pivotal role in the marketplace, they are uniquely positioned to view scenarios that address the best methods to move goods as well as data. Innovative 3PLs are demonstrating that moving information better—re-purposing data, improving accessibility, enhancing visibility and supporting the latest data standards—helps move freight better.
Tags: ecommerce, Material Handling, 3PL, supply chain operations, logistics, Supply Chain, warehouse, Third Party Logistics, data
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
When a prospective client wants to visit your 3PL facility, it’s critical; you could be on the verge of new business.
You want to show them why they should select you as their 3PL of choice; that you’re the best choice; that you can be trusted to help them serve their clients. It’s no easy task running a successful warehouse or third party logistics company – it’s a multi-faceted organization with its own specific attributes and specialties.
Tags: lean warehousing, warehouse, Third Party Logistics, warehouse flow, ecommerce, Warehouse Management, warehousing, Material Handling, 3PL
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
With the rising costs of workers’ compensation insurance and global pressures to increase productivity, warehouse and distribution center managers are taking a much closer look at improving ergonomics. With as many as 65% of worker’s compensation claims associated with manual materials handling, insurance companies are raising their rates—or mandating ergonomic improvements for continued coverage.
Equipment suppliers are responding to the need, engineering and designing features into their products to help workers minimize the strains associated with lifting, reaching, twisting, pulling and pushing. These new product features can also help address the demand for increased productivity as well.
Tags: Material Handling, order fulfillment, warehouse safety, ergonomics, plant safety, Order Picking & Fulfillment, Safety & Ergonomics
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
Working at height continues to rank high on the list every year when it comes to OSHA statistics, potential causes of major injuries and even fatalities.
Research shows that far too many people end up injured or worse because of their work on ladders, rooftops or other spots above the ground. As a result, it is extremely important for EHS leaders to be aware of the potential hazards their personnel face when working at heights, as well as the best ways to keep employees safe on the job.
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics, Warehouse Management, warehousing, Material Handling, lean manufacturing, industrial safety, lean warehousing, warehouse safety, industrial accident prevention
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
You’re already paying rent, taxes and for utilities of the space in your facility. Even if nearby space is available and suitable, using a work platform to expand makes sense because all these costs are wired in—and don’t typically rise with a mezzanine installation. Use platforms and mezzanines to leverage your existing space for offices, production equipment, storage areas, manufacturing process, product/conveyor sorting and much more. It’s a fraction of the cost of new construction and delivers long term value. Mezzanines also offer significant tax depreciation advantages.
Tags: Mezzanines, Space Optimization
Posted in Mezzanines & Industrial Platforms|
Logistics pros are a lot like the offensive line on a football team: at their best, you know they are doing a great job, but their numbers never get called by television announcers. When they do talk line, it’s usually because someone committed a penalty or allowed a blitzing safety in for a sack. When the quarterback isn’t pressured and there are great running lanes, the line rarely gets mentioned. It’s kind of the same for 3PLs.
The goal of your 3PL should be to avoid those issues and remain unseen and unremarked on by end users.
Tags: warehouse, warehouse productivity, Third Party Logistics, warehouse flow, Warehouse Management, 3PL, lean warehousing
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
The right pallet rack will enhance your warehouse and improve overall facility performance, when correctly specified, laid out, and installed for the right load in the right positions. Check out our common-sense guide to specification, styles, accessories and applications. You will find quick, useful information on racks and how you can use them more effectively.
Tags: warehousing, Pallet Rack, warehouse, Warehouse Management
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Winter is always coming.
While you might not be battling an army of zombie warriors, the seasonal surge in orders and fulfillment poised to engulf your 3PL warehouse can feel like a never-ending battle. Preparing for this fulfillment onslaught should be the goal for any efficient 3PL, so you can be ready for the inevitable increase in all facets of your business. By efficiently handling the high volumes of orders that flow through your warehouse during peak season, you’ll enjoy the spoils of higher production, correct shipments and overall customer/client satisfaction.
To enhance the preparation, you need to analyze each segment of your process and pick those that seem to be the biggest torment.
Tags: performance improvement, warehouse flow, Warehouse Management, 3PL, productivity, warehouse, warehouse productivity, Third Party Logistics
Posted in Order Picking & Fulfillment|
