The Material Handling Blog

Warehouse slotting, velocity slotting, re-slotting – these are all commonly used terms when referring to SKU optimization. What does it mean and what does it look like for warehouse operations? Put simply, velocity slotting is an organizational strategy that utilizes storage zones within a warehouse to store products by pick frequency. It’s impact stretches to positively impact costs, inventory performance and satisfying customer service level agreements, to name a few. Let’s take a deeper look at the effectiveness of slotting.

Ever tried cramming one last outfit into an already overstuffed suitcase? You push, you fold, you sit on top of it—and still, the zipper won’t budge. That’s exactly how many distribution centers feel when they hit capacity. There’s always one more pallet, one more SKU, one more shipment to squeeze in, but eventually, you run out of room. Unlike a suitcase, warehouses can’t just swap to a bigger model at the last minute. Space constraints in distribution centers lead to far more than just a tight fit—they create bottlenecks that slow operations, increase costs, and make it harder to meet customer expectations. Running out of space isn’t just an inconvenience for companies looking to scale - it’s a roadblock to growth. The good news? With the right material handling automation strategy, you can optimize the space you already have.

AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) have emerged as a distribution or manufacturing operation game-changer. For those seeking solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce costs and streamline operations, AMRs offer a cost-effective solution. These versatile robots can move and operate independently, revolutionizing various industries and opening new possibilities for automation. AMRs can meet various application process needs, allowing them to easily fit into existing company operations.

Pick to light has become a staple of warehouse distribution and order picking. Here are the top 5 benefits. What if there was an easier, automated way to locate these items? Say, when you want to find an item a beacon of light illuminates to direct you to the appropriate aisle, and then another beacon of light illuminates to get you to the correct shelf, and eventually the exact location on the shelf.

Without a solid, well-designed replenishment strategy as part of a fully integrated operation, picking systems can't operate at their optimal level. Here are some tips to help.

In the very near future, robotic picking will become mainstream, facilitating a 24/7 picking and order fulfillment environment. Improvements in a few existing technologies have helped pave the way.

Warehouse and distribution companies often need to hold many SKUs and pick faces in a small space. For this client, the SpeedCell storage system was the perfect solution.

With the growth in e-commerce, the demand for split case picking order fulfillment systems has never been higher. Here's Part 3 of our Beginner's Guide: Considerations for Choosing a Split Case Picking System Design

With the growth in e-commerce, the demand for split case picking order fulfillment systems has never been higher. Here's Part 2 of our Beginner's Guide: Options for Designing a Split Case Picking System Read: Split Case Picking Systems: A Beginner’s Guide, Part 2

With the growth in e-commerce, the demand for split case picking order fulfillment systems has never been higher. Here's Part 1 of our Beginner's Guide: What Is Split Case Picking? Read: Split Case Picking Systems: A Beginner’s Guide, Part 1

Velocity slotting can drastically improve order pick time and operator productivity, if used correctly. Here's what you should keep in mind.

Time to impress upper management with four picking technologies you should know when beginning a career in the supply chain.

Supply Chain Consultant Marvin Logan debates which is better: Pick-to-Light or Pick-to-Voice.