The moment when your customers open a box with the things they ordered is the most important part of their interaction with you. It’s your moment of truth. Well-executed packing reduces product damage, minimizes returns and leaves a positive impression. Subpar packing has the opposite effect.

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This month, we cover McKinsey’s recent report on the automation revolution and its effectiveness for manufacturing and warehousing. We also delve into 2025 warehousing trends, an analysis of the Texas industrial real estate market, and the reasons your warehousing operation should consider WERC membership.

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Automated palletizing is one of the best places to target automation because the process is so manual and heavy duty for many companies.

Why? Because it helps you reduce one of the least value-add parts of your operation: stacking and creating pallets. Doing that manually makes less sense every passing year for companies that are already working to reduce dependency on an ever-contracting labor pool. To get the process started, start by focusing on your operational needs, customer base and labor factors.

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Each October, as part of Employee Ownership Month, we hold a contest to design our annual ESOP poster. Employee-owners submit their ideas, and the winning design is generated, printed and posted in our offices for the coming year. It’s part of our effort to keep employee ownership at the forefront of our culture and remind all our teams, in all locations, that we’re working toward something together.

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Sometimes the right tool for the job is not the flashiest. The humble ball transfer isn’t high-tech, but does a great job of minimizing reaching and straining that endangers workers. Ball transfers punch above their weight class in a warehouse ergonomics and safety program.

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On October 22, supply chain and warehousing professionals from across Texas will converge in Grapevine for the 23rd annual WERCouncil Texas Warehousing Resource Conference. This is the place to be if you want to stay ahead of the curve.

With a sharp focus on the latest industry trends and innovations, this conference will equip you with the insights you need to thrive in an evolving landscape. Whether you’re seeking cutting-edge strategies or new connections, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

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Pick modules are commonly used in distribution operations when companies need to build high-density, high-throughput order fulfillment operations. This typically involves a multi-level platform system integrated with vertical storage options to move finished orders on and off platform levels toward other warehouse destinations.

One overlooked aspect is the addition or removal of empty cartons to picking positions. What are your options?

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For decades, manufacturers have optimized inventory using the concept of just-in-time inventory. This concept allows companies only keep enough stock on hand to meet immediate production needs or customer demand. The goal is to minimize holding costs and reduce waste by receiving goods only as they are needed in the production process.

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In this month’s employee spotlight, we interview Eric Dodd, Assistant Director of Field Services. He talks about challenges our service group faces, why training matters, and his favorite Houston sports moment.

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In the cold and frozen food sector, tremendous growth combined with a serious shortage of capacity is severely constraining companies today. “The frozen food market is currently experiencing remarkable growth, with its global value soaring to $265 billion. In the U.S. alone, new frozen food sales have impressively surpassed the $72 billion mark,” states Rick Kingery in the Colliers’ article “Capitalizing on the $265 Billion Frozen Food Market: Cold Storage’s Crucial Role.”

Adding to the challenge, “We estimate the U.S. will need up to 100-million-square-feet of additional cold storage space in the coming years,” states Marty Khait in an article posted on the Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Magazine website, “The Cold Reality: Why America’s Cold Storage Capacity is Running Low.”

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