The Material Handling Blog

For years, logistics consultants, material handling engineers , and supply chain execution providers have been slicing-and-dicing warehouse statistics in a quest to enhance employee performance for the ultimate purpose of bringing profitable dollars to the bottom line. While having tangible statistics and historical records of warehouse operation is important, I suggest that these benchmarks alone will not drive peak employee or warehouse performance.

As the global effects of COVID-19 continue to play out, demand for contactless shopping via eCommerce is increasing putting pressure on fulfillment. Businesses are scrambling to identify opportunities to increase supply across their distribution networks. Many are seeking support from automation systems integrators (conveyor, robotics, software, controls) across several fulfillment sites at once. While multi-site implementations can be challenging, when executed successfully they can achieve greater results than single-site implementations.

With the advent of cube storage solutions, non-traditional ASRS have become more prevalent. In certain applications, the cube storage solution can be denser (smaller facility footprint) and less expensive than traditional ASRS.

There are many factors which must be considered when pricing the various types of pallet racking. For the most accurate pallet racking price you should always consult with your material handling provider. However, what if you’re only looking for a ROM (rough order of magnitude) or high-level estimate? Below are a few rules of thumb that will help you determine a rough price estimate for pallet racking.

Without a doubt, microfulfillment is one of the hottest trends in supply chain. The ability to get products into consumers’ hands quicker than your competitors is the ultimate leg up, so not only is it a trend, but it’s a strategy enabling today’s retailers to decentralize fulfillment, create a better customer experience and redefine the retail landscape. So, what is it?

During this global coronavirus pandemic, people are concerned with protecting themselves and their families from contracting and spreading the disease; many go to extraordinary measures to ensure everyone they care about stays healthy. For employers, this protective nature extends to the employees who are the foundation of their business too.

Without the world of supply chain – truck drivers, factory employees, maintenance crews and retail workers, just to name a few – our world might, figuratively, stop turning.

It's impossible to predict where or when a disaster may occur, but these tips can help mitigate the risk in today's increasingly global supply chains.

Modern supply chains are extremely complex, making it difficult to track provenance, production methods, and more. Blockchain technology can change that. Read: The Blockchain Supply Chain: Transparent and Traceable

How the retail and material handling industries have evolved to service increasing e-commerce demand. Read: Lessons From the Amazon Effect

One of the differentiators between average-class and best-in-class operations is having an active warehouse slotting program. Read: Optimizing Productivity and Space Utilization Through Warehouse Slotting

Food banks from a supply chain perspective: how they receive, store, process, and distribute millions of pounds of food out to the community. Read: A Food Bank Supply Chain: The Logistics of Feeding the Hungry