If you run a distribution center, factory or warehouse, it’s not news to you that labor is in tight supply. Demands is up, and workers — particularly skilled, motivated, productive ones — have more options than ever. E-commerce has transformed the business, with constantly-escalating demand for pickers, packers, assembly workers, drivers and warehouse labor. With national unemployment rates below 4%, many other industries are competing with you for the same labor pool. What can you do to cope with these issues?
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Tags: labor, ROI, ecommerce
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
In warehouses, we deal with tons of empty pallets, and the load can be overwhelming at times. Yet, people tend not to notice the effect all that lifting and manual manipulation has, because it’s cumulative. Pallets are routinely handled the same way because that’s what we are used to. The problem is really one of ergonomics: people who stress, push and strain with stacks of pallets on a daily basis are more likely to be injured. They certainly aren’t working at the speed you’d like. It’s wasted time with a serious downside.
The new Pallet Return Device offers a safer and way more efficient way to handle your pallets, all while making more perfect stacks.
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Tags: pallet storage, pallets, pallet
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
E-commerce is the driving force for warehouse and shipping industries, so a focus on efficiency of distribution is paramount to gain competitive advantage. Demand is an ever-growing constant, and the movement to appease that demand can produce a strain on an entity wanting to thrive within the E-Commerce world. Multiple factors can either make or break those that want to dive into these waters, but what is an inexperienced company to do? Enter the 3PL, and what it can bring to E-Commerce.
Third-party logistics service providers (3PLs) design their distribution facilities to be flexible and scalable to serve a wide range of clients—capabilities that align well with the needs of growing
E-Commerce ventures. But the advantages don’t stop there. Here’s a look at some of the potential benefits of teaming up with an experienced 3PL:
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Tags: 3PL, warehouse, e-commerce, Third Party Logistics
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
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.
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Tags: logistics, Supply Chain, warehouse, Third Party Logistics, data, ecommerce, Material Handling, 3PL, supply chain operations
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
It’s demanding to manage a warehouse, distribution, plant floor, manufacturing or order processing facility.
There are time constraints, labor shortages, long hours, and demands from both customers and management. The phone rings a lot with all kinds of issues. For warehouse managers, today’s age of rapid e-commerce order fulfillment, rising customer expectations, new technologies and regulatory issues have made the job more complex than ever. What specific skill sets should you cultivate as a manager?
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Tags: career, dc manager, distribution management, Warehouse Management
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.
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Tags: Material Handling, 3PL, lean warehousing, warehouse, Third Party Logistics, warehouse flow, ecommerce, Warehouse Management, warehousing
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
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.
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Tags: Warehouse Management, 3PL, lean warehousing, warehouse, warehouse productivity, Third Party Logistics, warehouse flow
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
E-commerce customers are increasingly comfortable with a buying experience that includes easy, free and frequent returns. Returns—and the issues involved with them—are nothing new for retail and e-commerce distribution. The “new normal” of frequent returns offers 3PLs that can leverage their reverse logistics capacity a significant competitive advantage over competitors who can’t adapt to the new reality.
While some companies consider reverse logistics a necessary evil, those with well-managed returns programs can increase overall efficiency and profitability while satisfying customers and increasing loyalty. They find ways to resell more returned products, and can dispose of or restock what they can’t resell more efficiently and with less environmental impact.
What are some ways to increase your returns capacity?
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Tags: 3PL, logistics, warehouse, inventory control, warehouse productivity, Third Party Logistics, inventory, Warehouse Management, warehousing
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
You’ve heard this pitch before: If you just implement this software, or that machinery, or hire my consultant, or buy into this other program, you’ll realize amazing gains. You’ll be more productive; more accurate; you’ll work less hours. Things will be great.
You may really need to expand your facility, or install expensive new WMS software or add high levels of automation, but it’s always worth checking on process or facility layout changes before you take the plunge. What are some areas you should consider?
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Tags: KPI, warehouse performance, Process Management, ecommerce, 3PL, distribution systems, Third Party Logistics
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
It’s a good time to be in the third party logistics business. 3PLs are in demand with no end in sight as the warehousing industry copes with higher volumes, increasing e-commerce demands and challenging customer expectations.
This gives 3PL operators with a unique opportunity to build lasting relationships with key customers, suppliers, and retailers of their choice. However, this can also lead to an increased demand for quality service from warehouses and fulfillment centers. In order for 3PLs to succeed in this new environment, they must be ready to face increasing levels of customer and prospect expectations.
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Tags: 3PL, logistics, Supply Chain, distribution center, warehouse, Third Party Logistics, ecommerce, Warehouse Management, warehousing, Material Handling
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
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