Congratulations! You’ve looked at the numbers and company strategy and the payback is there. You’ve decided that you need a new warehouse, distribution center, or fulfillment center. You’re planning on using a consultant, design firm, integrator, 3PL, or other partner to implement your vision. But there are many challenges and risks in designing a new … Read more
Automation projects in warehouses and distribution facilities can yield substantial returns in the long term. That being said, new technology often introduces new risks. Let’s break some of these risks down, along with ways to mitigate them. Unfamiliarity With New Technology Technological advancements in the world of industrial automation can remove many laborious burdens within … Read more
Project schedules are always a big focus in project execution. There’s so much time, money, and relationships tied to them, especially in big warehouse projects which often include construction, equipment, and software. Nobody likes delays, but there’s a lot ‘under the hood’ of a schedule that can make it go sideways. People, environment, other projects, … Read more
Warehouse design for outbound flow and dock doors is meant for peak warehouse efficiency. But when you’re operating, things can be different. You’ve checked the picking rates. You’ve calculated staging areas and staffing. Yet when you’re running operations, disaster strikes! You can’t get enough loads into trailers and are constantly building inventory in your shipping … Read more
Let’s explore a warehouse improvement case study employing lean concepts and a holistic overview approach. The results speak for themselves – 30%+ improvement in cycle times, 30% reduction in labor, improve quality by 10x. How did it happen? Situation The company, “RailCo”, shipped produce and wine by rail from the west coast to the east … Read more
If you’ve been around “continuous improvement” you know that there are always warehouse improvement projects. Most of the time, they’re not hard to find. Projects are often “low-hanging fruit” where processes are obviously in need of help. But with all that opportunity, while it may not be hard to identify what to do, it may … Read more
One standard practice to improve warehouse efficiency and productivity is to use performance standards for non-exempt employees. Performance standards management will help ensure that the employees are productive. But you can’t just “turn the knob to 11.” The standards have to be reasonable and attainable. This implies a trade-off: higher standards mean more turnover, which … Read more
Having great quality in your warehouse operations makes everything run more smoothly. Records are correct, orders are in full, shorts and damages are minimal… it’s a dream. On the other hand, having poor quality means that your team is always fixing problems, searching for inventory, and firefighting daily. Nobody wants that. It’s stressful and creates … Read more
Operations efficiency in distribution means hitting the plan and hitting the numbers, safely and with good quality. What does active language have to do with that? A surprising amount! Let’s talk about communicating. Language and Culture in Operations People–in warehousing and other places– often use the passive voice. Passive voice is the framing of an … Read more