The Material Handling Blog

Supply chain network software tools that can help optimize inventory, facilities, and transportation - and some tips to use them.

Read: Trends in Supply Chain Network Software Stack

How the retail and material handling industries have evolved to service increasing e-commerce demand.

Read: Lessons From the Amazon Effect

Constraints such as omni-channel distribution and speed to delivery have really put a strain on overall operations.  Given the immense challenges faced today, DC managers and facility engineers should work to avoid the following 10 common warehousing mistakes. Read: 10 Common Warehousing Mistakes to Avoid This Year

We all know and believe that automation is the future (and in some cases, the present), but what’s different for Mexico and LATAM (Latin America) in general? Why is it so difficult to take that first step to automate material handling processes in those countries? Read: A Review of the Distribution Automation Landscape in Mexico

With a large population that possesses a more-than-comfortable purchasing power, Europe creates a space where goods must move a lot, which makes automated solutions in both production and distribution a necessity. Read: Bringing an Independent Systems Integrator to the European Market

Do you or any of your clients have processes where employees’ expected rates are unknown, based on averages, or quite frankly conjectured from guessing? Rates may be unknown or need re-evaluation because of new or different layouts, or process changes. If any of these situations are affecting your employee production rates, then you should consider MOST, Maynard Operation Sequence Technique. Read: Get the MOST from Your Workforce

It is important that a warehouse has enough space to operate efficiently. However, it may be even more important that the space is laid out in a way that optimizes the warehouse’s abilities. Here is a 4-step process used by our consulting team to create the best facility layout. Read: Creating a Better Warehouse Layout

For several weeks, we have discussed the DMADV process for decision making. The first four (4) phases (Definition, Measurement, Analysis and Design) have been completed, so now we need to consider the effectiveness of the design(s) through a validation process, our 5th and final phase. Read: Validation in the DMADV Process

In this article, we continue our review of the DMADV 5-step process for improving your supply chain. Design is step four in the process and involves leveraging the criteria, characteristics and flows developed in the “Analysis” step to look at alternative designs and technologies to create the best facility layout. Read: Design in the DMADV Process

In previous editions of this article series the Define and Measure stages of the Five Step Decision Making Process (DMADV) to drive supply chain improvements were discussed paving the way for step 3 - Analyze. During this step, the overall performance of the system is evaluated using statistical models to analyze transactional and inventory data. Read: Analyze - Step 3 in the DMADV process