EP 238: Coros
On this episode, I was joined by the CEO of Coros, Martin Hitch. Coros is bringing visibility to the supply chain to help with the accuracy of package loading and scanning. We discuss the idea of Coros, how it works and how it is helping companies deal with supply chain issues. Key Takeaways Coros provides a set of cameras that has the ability to scan packages at a high-speed rate. The device is placed at your dock door so all packages are scanned as they enter the truck. This helps to ensure that no packages are missed and then allows you to properly ensure the truck is loaded with the correct amount of packages. The data that is generated allows you to audit and easily figure out which package is missing from the load if any. This drastically reduces the amount of time that would typically be spent looking for gaps in the loading process. The idea for Coros came from the idea of utilizing vision systems that are used for other applications. Looking at the distribution process, Coros decided that the loading process would be a great place to start. Throughout the iterations, they have taken the scanning process from inside the truck to just outside of the truck for the most optimized position. A very interesting note is that they created a pick-to-light system within a delivery truck in one iteration of their solution. This is extremely creative and I was really interested in hearing about this. Due to Coros tackling the repetitive task of scanning packages, it is helping to create a new way to address the labor shortage issue. The scanning of packages being automated frees up the person that would typically be in that role to do something more value-added. It also helps reduce the time spent on utilizing a person to determine what is missing from loads. As Coros continues to develop they will start to bring this helpful automation beyond the dock doors. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 238: Coros
EP 237: Kirk Key Interlock and Supply Chain Safety Issues
On this episode, I was joined by Emily Smith of Kirk Key Interlock Company. Emily is the Segment Marketing Manager for their logistics arm and is focused on increasing awareness around safety in the logistics field. We discuss Kirk Key’s Salvo Door System and the safety implications of our current supply chain backlog issues. Key Takeaways Kirk Key Interlock Company is focused on many different industries but when it comes to their logistics segment they are looking at improving safety at the dock where it all begins. They have created the Salvo Door System which gives you incredible peace of mind ensuring that a trailer will not move when an operator is inside of it. The system works by locking down the air brake on the trailer which other locks can do but this one is much more robust. The lock is then taken and put into a holder by the dock door which triggers a light to come on inside of the building letting operators know that the trailer is safe to enter. As we all know, there are huge supply chain issues that have occurred due to the pandemic and other factors. One of the biggest challenges is the immense backlog that has generated over this time. While there is a large focus on getting the backlog down, Kirk Key and Emily want to ensure that safety does not fall to the side. With massive pressure being put on the supply chain to get these things under control it can be tempting to cut corners and create safety risks. Emily and I discuss some of the safety risks that can occur and how to prevent your company from slipping. With Kirk Key’s focus on safety in the logistics world, I wanted to know what was one of the most common safety issues they have seen. Emily said one that I think is huge, communication. Without proper communication, you can become a very unsafe operation. Communication is an absolute key to making sure that not only people know what is going on but are also aware of any potential issues. Emphasizing communication when it comes to safety is a must for all operations. If the communication drops so does your level of safety. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 237: Kirk Key Interlock and Supply Chain Safety Issues
EP 236: ProGlove and the MARK Display
In this episode, I was joined by Ilhan Kolko of ProGlove. Ilhan is the Chief Product Officer and President of North America at ProGlove. I had the pleasure of catching up with him after playing around with my own demo MARK Display. We discussed the device, how ProGlove has found such success and what’s in store for the future. You can also read my thoughts on the ProGlove MARK Display below. Key Takeaways ProGlove is focused on helping workers take advantage of Industry 4.0 and utilize these technologies to empower them and make their lives easier. Their main product is the ProGlove scanner which comes in a few different variations and allows workers to be totally hands-free when it comes to scanning barcodes. The device itself is mounted into a hand sleeve that conforms to your hand and allows you to move freely. With this technology, you can truly be hands-free because there is no need to consistently reference a device or use a hand to pull a trigger on a scanner. The trigger itself is built right in the sleeve and is done by squeezing your thumb against your index finger. The product has developed in such a great way due to the focus on this being their core product and consistently striving for perfection. Initially, ProGlove was conceived by a group of engineers who wanted to eliminate efficiencies for workers who have to scan to complete their jobs. They took a human-focused approach and really pushed that forward into developing the ProGlove device which completely improves the human experience of scanning. The overall numbers are targeted to help reduce scanning times of 4 to 6 seconds which multiplied over several thousand scans a day is a huge saving. However, the time outside of the scan time is really the big savings that I see. If you look at the relationship a worker has with their device like an RF gun-style scanner there is a constant need to touch that device. Not only are they touching it and using it to scan but there are moments when they forget what location they should be at or they get distracted and now have to pick the device back up to reference. With the MARK Display version of ProGlove, everything they need is right there on their hand so they are eliminating all that other time that is consumed referencing the device as well as scanning. On the back end, there is also a robust software platform that can help you understand the analytics that the device is generating. Ilhan explains all of the different ways that this can be utilized. It is able to understand movements and even proximity to other workers. This data can then be translated into a BI system and utilized to understand the performance of scanning as well as other metrics. Additionally, the proximity alerts are helpful in understanding where you may have congestion or where you may have issues regarding social distancing. Not only will it alert management but it can also give a special alert to the worker right on the device itself. Listen to the episode below and then watch the video to see my experience with the ProGlove MARK Display. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 236: ProGlove and the MARK Display
EP 235: Procensis Solution Center visit
On this episode, I was hosted by Ed Kennedy at the Procensis Solution Center. Ed is the President and Founder of Procensis which is focused on bringing you solutions that will turn your workers into warehouse superheroes. We discuss the current labor shortage, Procensis beginnings, and the growth they are experiencing. Key Takeaways Procensis is focused on bringing solutions to your warehouse in order to turn them into superheroes. They do this by combining the latest technology in mobile computing and scanning to bring the best-tailored solution for your operation. Ed founded the company with their CTO who recognized that they could bring extreme value to companies by focusing on improving the worker experience. Combined with the latest hardware, they are providing solutions on the software and platform side as well. From the software perspective, they are able to strip down and simplify your screens so that employees are only seeing the necessary information. It is no secret that there is a labor shortage in our industry and that many are feeling the pain. The key right now is to figure how to attract talent and then retain them. Ed makes some great points about the importance that technology can play in retaining employees. Making their job easier and allowing them to be more productive can help them enjoy the job more and make them stay longer. He even references a story that Procensis experienced recently where employee retention was actually more important to the company than ROI. Implementing the right technology to empower your employees is the best way to see your operation improve. We recorded this episode from the Procensis Solution Center but Procensis is rapidly expanding and will be upgrading to the Procensis Solution Center 2.0 which will have all different unique setups so they can give you the best demo possible. How they have been able to adapt to give remote demos is truly incredible and I encourage you to get one from them. Very interested to see and share with you the next version of their solution center when it opens up. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 235: Procensis Solution Center Visit
EP 234: Zebra Technologies and Fetch Robotics
In this episode, I was joined by Jim Lawton of Zebra Technologies. Jim is the Vice President and General Manager of Robotics Automation at Zebra Technologies and has a long career of being involved in the robotics world. We discuss Zebra’s recent acquisition of Fetch Robotics, their new solutions for fulfillment, and the current state of robotics. Key Takeaways Zebra Technologies has always been involved in the automation and robotics world but they took a step into the next evolution by recently acquiring Fetch Robotics. They had previously invested in and partnered with a Fetch on a few different initiatives so it only makes sense that they took the path of acquiring them. As Jim discusses, what Fetch adds to the overall Zebra solution suite is the ability to address the travel time issue for the fulfillment space. Zebra had already been addressing the issues of inefficiencies companies were experiencing without handheld technology but now they can address the additional inefficiency of the walking and travel time operators are doing. Even though they just recently acquired Fetch, they have gotten right to work on new solutions. Jim tells us about the FlexShelf, FlexShelf Guide, and RollerTop Guide which all work together to provide an all-encompassing fulfillment solution. With these new solutions coupled together with Zebra’s handheld technology, they are able to truly make the entire fulfillment process more efficient. The FlexShelf allows for increased capacity of each robot by increasing the number of bins that items can be picked too. Paired with the FlexShelf Guide which is a touch screen onboard the robot, it allows the work to happen right at the robot and really increases productivity. For those utilizing conveyors, the RollerTop Guide allows the robot to sync right up and transfer the bin directly onto the conveyor reducing the need for human interaction to make the transfer. Jim threw out a really amazing stat at the beginning of the episode that less than 5% of warehouses are automated. With this being said, there is a huge opportunity for companies to take on automation and robotics projects to help improve their overall process flows. We discuss how the pandemic has driven consumers to rely more on e-commerce than ever before and is putting a huge workload on warehouses and fulfillment centers. Due to this increase in demand, Jim is seeing rapid growth and adoption of robotics to help companies keep up. We can only imagine how quickly warehouses will keep automating in the next few years. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 234: Zebra Technologies and Fetch Robotics
EP 232: Peter C. Lewis and What’s Next
On this episode, I was joined by Peter C. Lewis of Wharton Equity Partners. Peter is the Chairman and President at Wharton Equity Partners and currently started the firm in 1987 where they now focus on investing in industrial real estate as well as other companies that impact that space. We discuss how Peter pivoted from fully in on residential investments to fully in on industrial investments, their recent investment in micro-fulfillment company Fabric, and also his thoughts on where the industry is going. Key Takeaways One of the craziest and most impactful parts of my conversation with Peter was how he pivoted into the industrial space. He started his firm in 1987 and was focused on residential real estate investments but then he started to notice the pace at which e-commerce was growing. In fact, he said the pivotal moment was when he saw his 90-year-old father was starting to order things online. Typically people would get dip their toe in at first but Peter C. Lewis dove right in and unloaded all of his residential investments ($500 million worth) to move everything into industrial real estate. He has built up several large warehouses over the years and has now also begun investing in technology companies that support warehousing and logistics initiatives. Their most recent investment was in Fabric which is a micro-fulfillment company that focuses on taking small spaces and using technology to help them become fulfillment powerhouses. Peter had been watching them for some time as he believes that micro-fulfillment is the future as consumers are wanting their products faster which means the product needs to be closer to them in order to meet quick delivery times. He was also blown away when he saw one of their operations underneath a mall in Israel on a trip in the area. With micro-fulfillment on the rise, we will be sure to see more of Fabric and other companies like them growing rapidly. Throughout the pandemic, I have been curious to see if the vacant retail locations would become more fulfillment spaces than true brick and mortar locations. Peter is the perfect one to ask since he deals in the real estate side of things. He believes that brick and mortar will never completely go away but what we will continue to see is the amount of inventory they hold continue to decrease. The idea is that these will become more of a showroom type of location so that consumers can still feel the product and understand it in person if they need to but it will be fulfilled to them from a different location whether it is a regional warehouse or micro-fulfillment location. Very interesting forward-looking insights from Peter in this episode. Listen to the episode below and leave a comment with your thoughts. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 232: Peter C. Lewis and What’s Next
EP 231: Locix and 2022 Predictions
On this episode, I was joined by the CEO of Locix, Vik Pavate. Vik was on the show previously to discuss Locix and its spatial intelligence offerings. This time around we discuss some of Vik’s 2022 predictions for the distribution space. Key Takeaways Locix has grown its offerings from when I first met them at ProMat in 2019 where they were focused on the dock space. Now, they are focused on bringing their spatial intelligence to the entire distribution center to optimize the flow of your operation. By adding the spatial intelligence data there are several new levels that you can optimize in the warehouse. Including picking efficiency gains, replenishment efficiency gains, and one of my favorites, improved slotting plans. The slotting plan stands out to me for some of the unique insights that you are able to gain from the data including assigning trailers to doors that are aligned with the racking that the product will be put away into. One of Vik’s predictions for 2022 is that certain robotic application adoptions will start to decline. While there are robotic solutions that make sense and are easy to implement, we are seeing a lot of more technical solutions that are not so easy for lots of companies to implement. When he looks at the plug-and-play options like a lot of co-bots or AMRs he sees a lot of easy growth potential there but some of the more expensive options will start to find some difficulty in realizing ROI in the time smaller companies need to make sense. The other prediction from Vik is that companies will start to upgrade their WMS. For many years companies have held on to their WMS and I have seen this firsthand. There seems to be a fear of upgrading systems because of the potential issues that could stem from that, however, Vik points out that WMS’s have become so robust that companies will start to see the value of upgrading. There are now many different data points and insights that these systems are collecting like spatial intelligence that can be harnessed to truly optimize your operation and improve overall efficiency. Listen to the episode below and leave your predictions in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 232: Locix and 2022 Predictions
EP 230: ROEQ
In this episode, I was joined by Jonathen Karavolias of ROEQ. Jonathen is the Head of Sales in the Americas for ROEQ which stands for robotic equipment. We discuss how ROEQ got started, their latest offerings, and how they are more than just hardware accessories. Key Takeaways ROEQ is focused on making your AMR better by providing accessories that can take your AMR to the next level and solve problems that you may not have thought of. In many cases, they are simple fixes but they provide long-term complex solutions to help you improve your operation. Many of their solutions go very well with MiR’s robots because their origins actually come from a former MiR employee. The initial idea was to add a conveyor section to the top of an AMR at MiR but it was not a direction that MiR wanted to go in so a side hustle was created which grew into what ROEQ is now. Now, they have grown into a company offering many different accessories or as Jonathen says the legs and arms of the robots. They recently launched two new solutions. The first is their TMS-C1500 which focuses on increasing the overall payload of a MiR AMR. It is essentially a cart that can boost the amount of weight the AMR can carry by utilizing the AMR’s capability to pull it. It is a very clever design that gives you a lot more versatility with your MiR. The second newest release is the TML200 which focuses on lifting capabilities. While it is not lifting very high, that is not the point, the point is to allow for better stability of your loads and to add more versatility into what the AMR can carry. One example that Jonathen gives is that it allows the AMR to have better traction in a slippery environment like a silicon plant. Both are very creative and helpful solutions. Jonathen was sure to point out that ROEQ is not just a hardware company building accessories for AMR’s. They also focus on the software side of things as there is a lot that needs to go into ensuring that their robotic equipment functions properly with the robot and does not create any problems for the end-user. One example of this is with the TML200 and how it adds to the overall space the AMR takes up depending on what it is lifting. When it engages with the object it is lifting it is able to recognize that now it is larger than it normally is so it can properly navigate through the operation. Listen to the episode below and let us know what problem ROEQ can solve for your operation in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 230: ROEQ
EP 229: Mujin
In this episode, I was joined by Brandon Coats of Mujin. Brandon is the Director of System Integration at Mujin which is a robotics company focused on creating industrial robots for everyone. We discuss what Mujin does, how they are making robots for everyone, and some of their offerings. Key Takeaways Mujin is focused on robotic solutions for the warehouse and manufacturing space. Their slogan is “Industrial Robots for Everyone” which is a very great thing. As Brandon explains, this slogan is all about getting them to the point where industrial robots are widely adopted and easy to use. He likens it to Microsoft and how they were able to put together a usable platform so that computers started to become more accessible and easier to navigate. With this mindset, they are really focused on making their solutions extremely user-friendly. For the logistics space, Mujin is currently focused on providing solutions for palletizing, de-palletizing, and piece picking. They are utilizing robotic arms to accomplish this with sophisticated grippers. Mujin has been building out these types of solutions for many customers across the globe and has been developing their technology so that the robots can have very smart visibility into what they are gripping. This allows for them to palletize in special ways, do layer palletizing with multiple different SKUs assorted in the proper configuration, and much more. With Mujin just expanding into the United States this year it will be interesting to see how their product offerings grow and evolve in the US market. One of the things Brandon also discusses is how Mujin listens to the customer and what their problem is. Not only do they have their core offerings but they also customize solutions for specific applications. This allows them to truly listen to the voice of the customer and explore different ways to improve their product. The one case that Brandon discusses involves a serious gripper that took a lot of detail and parts to get right. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 229: Mujin
EP 228: Vecna Mark 3
In this episode, I was joined by Matt Cherewka of Vecna Robotics. Matt is the Director of Business Development and Strategy at Vecna and you may remember I spoke with him previously during ProMatDX earlier this year. We discussed the market for AMR’s over the last year and a half, the Mark 3 software update, and interoperability standards. Key Takeaways Vecna Robotics is in the AMR game and over the last year and a half with the pandemic creating all kinds of unexpected changes in the way we operate, I was curious what they have seen in terms of demand. In discussing with Matt, it is clear that AMR adoption is on the rise and as he said a lot of companies have made their 2030 technology plans into their 2020 technology plans to keep up. One of the biggest drivers of this adoption is the labor shortages that many of Vecna’s customers are experiencing. With the ability to take over a lot of the repetitive material movement tasks, AMR’s like Vecna’s are in a great position to help alleviate some of these struggles. The latest from Vecna is their software upgrade called Mark 3. With this upgrade, they are improving a lot of the efficiencies with their hardware but most notably is the increase in speed. From my perspective, AMR and robots are making great strides but they have still been a bit limited in the speed at which they can do things. This upgrade pushes Vecna’s offerings to a max speed of 6.7 mph which is a jump from their previous 4.5 mph. At 6.7 mph they are getting very close to what a standard human-operated machine would perform at. It is certainly a big advancement as it gets closer to the replacement of the typical manually operated machine, however, there are certainly notable efficiencies that an AMR presents versus a manually operated machine which Matt and I discuss. At the end of the episode, Matt and I talk about the Mass Robotics Interoperability Standards which Vecna is a huge champion of. Since they are one of the founders of Mass Robotics, it only makes sense that they are also leading the way when it comes to interoperability standards. Matt discusses the first test and demo of how these standards work and the potential they hold. They did the first demo with Waypoint Robotics and were able to have great results. This is certainly something that will move the industry forward in an amazingly collaborative way. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 228: Vecna Mark 3
EP 227: Portable Intelligence
On this episode, I was joined by Jeff Lem of Portable Intelligence who I recently shared a panel with for Sam Gupta’s WBSRocks. Jeff is the Founder and president of Portable Intelligence which looks to rethink the way that your warehouse operates. We discuss how Portable Intelligence came to be, inventory visibility and how to improve inventory accuracy. Key Takeaways Portable Intelligence is focused on making your warehouse a competitive advantage. Jeff founded the company after building a barcoding business up and realizing that he had more interest in the software component. He set out to look at warehouse management systems in a different way by increasing visibility of not only the data that flows through the system but also the people that are utilizing the system in your warehouse. By setting up their system to trail your most experienced people, the system sets standards that give you the best knowledge of unique things like building the most stable pallet. Not something that you could necessarily get from just data. One of the big things that Portable Intelligence addresses are inventory visibility. In many cases, companies do not have full visibility into their inventory which can lead to many different issues. Without visibility, you are unable to truly track where your inventory is in your warehouse and it can seriously hinder your ability to deliver to your customer. We discuss a perfect example of how not having visibility into inventory can lead to people from all different departments constantly asking or checking themselves if inventory is truly in the building or where it should be. The increase in visibility can allow you to understand the true picture of your operation. While visibility into inventory is very important, so is the accuracy of that inventory. If you are viewing inventory that is not accurate then there is no point in viewing it in your system because it is incorrect. Jeff and I discuss how a lack of inventory accuracy can really slow down a company and hurt the trust that needs to be built up between departments within a company. Some of the advice Jeff gives to help increase your inventory accuracy is to ensure that everything is barcoded and to make sure that items are being properly returned to their locations when there is an issue. If these things do not happen you lose visibility and traceability which ultimately hurts your inventory accuracy. Jeff’s other suggestion is to set up a proper cycle counting program so you are constantly verifying your inventory before an issue arises for an order. Listen to the episode below and let us know your tips for increasing inventory accuracy. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 227: Portable Intelligence
EP 226: Relai
On this episode, I was joined by two of the co-founders of Relai, Miles Mufuka Martin and Dillon Spann. Relai is a startup looking to create a last-mile delivery platform that gets products to the consumer in less than an hour from the time of ordering. We discuss how the idea of Relai came about, how it will work, and how it has evolved since their initial brainstorming session. Key Takeaways Relai was started out of the realization that it was difficult to get typical consumer goods within a short period of time. Dillon talks about how he needed a pair of shorts but he had to drive an hour to get them and if he had ordered them he would have to wait at least 2 days to receive them. When Miles and Dillon started to talk about this they came across some interesting data that the majority of products that people buy are within a 5-7 mile radius of where they are located but yet it still takes days to be delivered to them. With Relai they are looking to have products taken directly from the brick and mortar location and delivered by people (called sprinters) on foot, on bikes, or other means to storage lockers or direct to residences. The name Relai comes from Miles and Dillon’s history as relay track runners in college. That is how they got connected and eventually built this idea out. Much like the baton is passed in a track race, Relai will be passing the package from one sprinter to another or from a sprinter to the delivery point. With this concept, they are able to provide a very quick delivery service targeting under one hour. As we discuss the concept, it is clear that they have thought this through and how they will save on time. The sprinters will be utilizing bikes or walking on their own feet which will avoid them getting caught in traffic or other stoppages like traffic lights. Miles and Dillon are in the process of beta testing Relai in Richmond, Virginia right now and plan to roll it out in full in 2022. At that time their initial rollout will be in Nashville and Richmond but be sure to look out for Relai coming to your town. They are also looking to onboard more retailers and sprinters so be sure to get in touch if you are interested in being a part of this next iteration of last-mile delivery. Listen to the episode below and let us know if you need one-hour delivery in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 226: Relai
EP 225: SOTI and the Domino Effect
In this episode, I reconnected with Shash Anand of SOTI. Shash is the VP of Product Strategy at SOTI and was previously on the show at the beginning of the year. We reconnected to discuss their T&L report, some domino effects in the supply chain, returns, and some predictions for what the supply chain will look like at the end of 2022. Key Takeaways SOTI is known for its mobile device management platform that helps companies keep track of all of their devices as well as allows companies to be able to troubleshoot and update them remotely. Shash shares with us some of the other things SOTI such as helping companies to build apps that will help streamline their operation. They have an app-building program that users can easily drag and drop to create their own apps. This is a great way to easily create new efficiencies in your operation because it allows you to get rid of paper and it is not difficult to create. Shash shares a great example of this and explains how SOTI utilized the app platform to create a better new employee onboarding experience. The T&L report focuses on the transportation and logistics (T&L) industry and looks at different aspects of the business. We discuss the most recent one and how the results show that there are some significant domino effects of the pandemic in the supply chain. One of the stats that really stood out to me was the staggering number of people who said that their company experiences delays due to their technical issues. It always surprises me when companies are not willing to invest in their technology to help improve their processes but then have large issues down the road. It is very important to make sure that you invest in your technology and stay up to date so you can stay as efficient as possible. Another domino effect is the large amount of return volume that is circulating through the supply chain. Due to the large number of e-commerce orders being driven by everyone staying at home and now staying due to consumer behavior, returns are being produced at an even larger amount than before. Companies are looking for ways to streamline the process of returns and are accepting the fact that customers will return items. Instead of trying to discourage returns, they are embracing them instead with programs that allow you to try multiple sizes and expedite the return process. I have seen some new, very easy-to-use return processes from online retailers and I hope that continues to grow. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 225: SOTI and the Domino Effect
EP 224: Cyngn
On this episode, I was joined by both Lior Tal and Ben Landen of Cyngn. Lior is the CEO and Ben is the VP of Business Development at Cyngn where they are thinking very differently about creating autonomous industrial vehicles. We discuss how Cyngn got its start, how they are transforming existing fleets, and their recent partnership with Columbia Vehicles. Key Takeaways Cyngn asks the question: “Why aren’t your industrial vehicles driving themselves?” and they are here to provide the solution. While most of the autonomous solutions that we have seen coming to the market are brand new vehicles and ones that you would have to purchase to add to your fleet, Cyngn is focusing on retrofitting your current fleet with the technology to make it autonomous. They are taking the approach of retrofitting to specific models and giving you the ability to essentially bolt on the technology to your current vehicles while at the same time working with the manufacturer to give the option for future vehicles to be autonomous. It is a unique approach that allows you to transition your fleet to autonomous in a much easier way. Their most recent partnership is with Columbia Vehicles who provides a wide range of industrial vehicles. They are working with Columbia to develop autonomous offerings for their customers. What this means is Cyngn will be able to retrofit existing Columbia Vehicles that customers are currently utilizing and then be able to offer brand new Columbia vehicles with an autonomous option as well. While the vehicle has the option for autonomous operation, with Cyngn’s technology it also retains the option to be switched back to manual mode for whatever reason you may need. One of the big issues that Cyngn’s technology helps to address is the ongoing struggle to attract and retain labor for industrial jobs. By transitioning some of your existing industrial vehicles to autonomous you can free up a headcount to do more meaningful work and help to alleviate your need for more labor. Additionally, I am a fan of this technology because it allows you to transition your fleet to autonomous without having to put a major investment into new autonomous vehicles all at once. It is a great way to transition your fleet and do so in a more cost-effective way. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts on this technology. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 224: Cyngn
EP 223: Say Ohi to Instant Commerce
On this episode, I was joined by the Founder and CEO of Ohi, Ben Jones. You may remember Ohi from way back in the archives when I visited their facility to learn about their micro-warehousing setup. We caught up to discuss how Ohi has evolved, the instant commerce landscape, and what’s in store for the near future for Ohi. Key Takeaways Ohi has continued forward with micro-warehousing and adjusted its strategy a bit to become an instant commerce business. Not only are they focusing on fulfilling from their micro-warehouse locations but they are also transforming retailers’ back rooms by allowing them to utilize that inventory to fulfill online orders. By doing this they are getting down to incredible delivery times within 2 hours from order time. Not only does it allow consumers to get their orders faster but they are also finding the consumer is more likely to interact with the brand for a longer period of time while they are waiting for their items to be delivered. As Ohi just closed their Series A round of funding they are ready to expand and bring the Ohi platform to 25 more locations over the next year. Ben is sure to note that while expanding they will stick to their micro-warehouse roots and utilize these smaller spaces that are closer to the consumer to meet the delivery times they are pushing for. Keeping the micro-warehouse model allows them to be flexible in their space and also allows them to get closer to the consumers especially in densely populated cities where a large warehouse would be very difficult to develop. The great thing about this is that they are able to utilize spaces that are vacant or may not be as desirable for retail operations. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 223: Say Ohi to Instant Commerce
Conveyor and Sortation Architecture: Centralized vs Decentralized Systems
When thinking of a modern distribution center, most people will picture a conveyor and sortation system. And while they are truly fascinating on the surface, what lies underneath, controlling the whole operation is equally impressive. Today we’re talking to some members of MHI’s Conveyor & Sortation Systems industry group about what’s under the hood, so to speak. To listen to the podcast, click here.
EP 222: Supply Jane
In this episode, I was joined by author Megan Preston Meyer. She has created the Supply Jane series of books for children which focus on teaching supply chain concepts to elementary level kids. We discuss her background in analytics, why educating children on the supply chain is important and how the idea for the books came about. Key Takeaways Megan’s background is in analytics and insights which have ranged from all different aspects of the business. As we all are well aware analytics and insights are a huge part of the supply chain. While Megan was going through her career in the analytics world she realized that she was always finding herself telling a story with the data. She makes incredible points about the difference between showing someone a spreadsheet and actually giving them a story that the data tells which is much more digestible. As she realized that she had a knack for storytelling she started to think about writing. She landed on the supply chain because she realized it was something that was never really advertised or promoted in schools so she thought it would be a good thing to write about. The idea for her books focused on the character Supply Jane actually comes from a hike with her husband where they were coming up with supply chain puns. As you can see, Supply Jane is very close to the supply chain which is the perfect character to fit into her books. Originally she had not set out to write for children but when she realized that kids were not being exposed to the supply chain early in their lives or at least they were not realizing that it was all around them she knew that was the path to go on. Currently, she has two books with one discussing the concept of FIFO and the other discussing bottlenecks in manufacturing operations. I wanted to highlight Megan’s book because I think it is an incredibly important thing to be bringing more exposure to the supply chain world earlier on in individuals’ lives. Even as I currently teach a supply chain course at a university level, many students are not very familiar with the concept of the supply chain. With the importance of the supply chain in our everyday lives and to keep the global economy running it is important that we continue to develop the talent pool for our industry. Supply Jane is a great way to start kids off right and give them exposure early on. I highly recommend getting it for the kids in your life. Buy the book here. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 222: Supply Jane
EP 221: Warehouse Standards
In this episode, I discuss warehouse standards and their importance. This has been one of the most important things to getting fully effective processes in place during my career in warehousing. Standards Breakdown What is a standard? A process that is proven to be effective and is repeatable with the desired outcome Rules that are put in place to ensure the right outcome is achieved every time How to develop a standard Map out your process that you want to standardize Include all aspects of the process; no matter how small Evaluate the process to see if it makes sense; can you improve any steps? Ensure the process gives you the desired outcome Get feedback from the parties doing the process Document, document, document If the standard is not documented then it might as well not exist Tribal knowledge will kill you when the person with the knowledge leaves Everything should be documented and readily accessible for reference Update documents accordingly when changes are made Create a standard for organizing your documents Training The key to having your standards succeed is to ensure the training is robust All employees should be well versed in the standard and trained from when they begin Do not throw them out there and train later Start them right and with the expectation Follow up on training periodically and ensure that it is top of mind Improvements Be sure to review your standards for potential improvements periodically Value your employee’s input; they know the process the best If something doesn’t make sense question it The New Warehouse Podcast EP 221: Warehouse Standards
EP 220: Saddle Creek Logistics
On this episode, I was joined by Tony Hollis of Saddle Creek Logistics. Tony is the Director of Technology & Innovation at Saddle Creek Logistics so you can bet we talked about the technology and innovations they are getting into. We discussed how Saddle Creek decides on what technologies to move forward with, their business, and their experience with Locus Robotics. Key Takeaways Saddle Creek Logistics is a third-party logistics provider that includes over 31 million square feet of warehousing space and a large fleet of trucks as well. They focus on omnichannel fulfillment for both B2B and B2C businesses. With their long experience, they bring extensive knowledge to the table when it comes to distribution and they are well poised to be adopting new technology as we discussed in this episode to help continue to create efficient and forward-thinking ways to tackle the challenges in the current warehouse market. One of the big challenges that Saddle Creek Logistics is facing and has been facing is the shallow labor pool for warehouse employees. This is something I believe we have all been struggling with and something I know that I have talked about a few times on the podcast. When they started to look at how could they address these issues and then deal with the pandemic as well they looked to technology for help. Tony explains that they recognized that the ability to make current employees perform better by utilizing technology to make their jobs easier would help them get more throughput without adding headcount when they cannot find it. Looking towards this problem they landed on implementing AMRs and their ultimate decision was to go with Locus Robotics to help their pickers in a healthcare supply company. What Tony liked most about Locus was their route optimization which helps maximize the efficiency of picks and allows for the robots to do all of the travel while keeping employees in a certain zone. Reducing the walk time and assist employees in moving products is a big help in ensuring employees are having a good work experience. Additionally, the simplicity of utilizing the Locus Bot was a plus for Saddle Creek as they are able to quickly train new employees. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 220: Saddle Creek Logistics Share on Facebook
EP 219: Warehouse Moves
For today’s topic, I’m discussing warehouse moves. A warehouse move is in regards to moving an operation from one location to another, adding an additional location, or consolidating locations into one. I have experienced multiple warehouse moves in my career and they can be incredibly stressful times especially when a company is just growing to the point of expansion and setting the course for its future. With the growth of e-commerce and distribution in general, companies are expanding their distribution footprint constantly so I thought it would be a good time to share some of my insights. While a move will never be perfect, I wanted to share some tips that I have learned over my career that will help to make your move smoother. My Warehouse Move Tips You cannot move without a plan. Create a plan that involves the teams who will be executing Make the plan make sense for your capabilities (system, space, transportation, headcount) A plan that is not followed is pointless Do not underestimate the time and resources needed Inventory counts Get rid of any obsolete or non-moving stock before hand – do not move the trash Ensure you have the most accurate inventory you can achieve before moving If possible do a physical in the building you are exiting Count with employees that you trust to have accurate counts Transfer from problems from one building to the next will only cause more issues Count on the way in Standardize and train beforehand Make sure that your standard work is in place at the new facility before inventory reaches the docks If all new staff ensure that they are trained on the processes Make sure the put-away process and flow is totally understood Adjust the flow of goods as needed Some items take longer to put away Adjust the amount of inventory coming on a daily basis if there is a backup Do not create an overwhelming situation for the receiving warehouse Think about the way the product is being sent Do not stress and you will get there The move will happen and it needs to happen Work your plan and adjust the flow as needed Do not create an overwhelming situation for all parties Manage the expectations of leadership and understand deadlines Please share your stories of warehouse moves with me on LinkedIn, in the comments below or email me at kevin@thenewwarehouse.com. Thank you for all your support! The New Warehouse Podcast EP 219: Warehouse Moves