The call came on a Tuesday morning in February. A key client wanted delivery volumes up 40 percent for the spring campaign, starting in six weeks. We had the orders. We did not have the staff, the dock slots, or the racking capacity to handle the ramp. That moment, more than any market report, captures […]
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Warehouse automation has attracted substantial capital over the past decade. Driven by rising labour costs, the e-commerce boom, and growing supply chain complexity, businesses across industries have invested in everything from automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) to autonomous mobile robots and AI powered inventory platforms. Yet for all the enthusiasm, the track record is […]
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Walk into any busy warehouse and you will see the same challenge playing out in real time: one department is overwhelmed while another is standing idle. The supervisor is scrambling, trying to figure out where to move people next. It is a problem that has existed for as long as warehouses have, and it has […]
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Walk into any major warehouse today and you’ll find a choreography of controlled “chaos”. Pickers weaving through aisles, conveyors humming, packages sliding into chutes. Behind this “chaos” lies a critical but often overlooked process: order waving. And increasingly, artificial intelligence is transforming how it’s done. For decades, warehouse managers relied on fixed rules and intuition […]
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In the ecosystem of modern warehouses, efficiency and quality are fundamental. A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is the central nervous system, orchestrating all operations to optimize the flow of goods, data, and people. In this article I will explain some specific strategies and examples of how a WMS can enhance your warehouse operations. It is […]
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Discussions on Leadership and Lean I have had several interesting discussions both on LinkedIn and via email from blog readers concerning my articles on leadership and lean. Below are some clarifications on how I think about these topics. Why You Should Implement Lean I have received comments where people believe that lean is unnecessary and […]
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Packaging Challenges and Solutions in E-Commerce Logistics Introduction Packaging in e-commerce logistics presents several challenges that businesses need to address to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations. Here are some key challenges and advice regarding implementing automated packaging machines. Key Challenges in E-Commerce Packaging Damage During Transit One of the most common issues is damage to […]
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Focus on Technology in Warehouse Logistics In many of my articles, the focus has been on technology such as automation and robotics or WMS. Actually, that is symptomatic of the whole warehouse business right now. Many logistics organizations are in transitions right now or will be soon. However, one thing is sure: humans will be […]
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In order to be competitive, companies make ordering rules more and more liberal. This applies not only to B2C but also to B2B. Of course, B2C is more affected by this through e-commerce and omnichannel, but we see the trend in all businesses. As you understand, it is impossible to run cost-effective logistics while allowing […]
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Warehouse automation is on everybody’s lips. You might believe automation is the answer to everything. There is, of course, a natural reason behind the automation hype. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that the transportation-and-warehousing industry has the third-highest automation potential of any sector. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of technology, but behind […]
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