EP 158: From No-Bot to Robot with Bricz
In this episode, I was joined by the Warehouse Robotics Practice Leader at Bricz, Parth Pethani. Bricz is a global supply chain solutions provider that helps companies build out a robust supply chain. Parth and I discuss Bricz, robot implementation, and how to start to introduce robotics into your operation. Key Takeaways As you might have heard in several of our podcast episodes throughout the pandemic, many companies are moving towards robotics as an answer to deal with new safety protocols and keep up with spikes in eCommerce demand. Bricz actually began to implement robotics into their solution offerings as they saw an increase in demand from their customer to provide solutions to them. Parth discusses how robotics became a flourishing part of their business and how he got such an awesome title. The main focus of our discussion is looking at robotics implementations but for many, robots are not something they have already had experience with. We are still in a position where robots in a warehouse or distribution center are a very new idea with adoption now increasing steadily and accessibility increasing. Parth discusses that the initial step of going from no-bot to robot is to really take a look at your operation and see where the operation can really benefit from being automated. This is a very important starting point because you may think that a robot is what you need for a certain task but in reality, there may be a better opportunity to start with first. From that first implementation is where you can start to grow into other processes and tasks. During the implementation process, Parth stresses that ensuring the system integration will work and communicate properly is one of the biggest aspects of the implementation. We discuss how communication between systems is just as important as communication between people when processes need to flow. If the robot is not able to get the proper information and task-driven by the system in place then it will not be able to do what it needs to do and help you improve your efficiency. This is a key step in ensuring that the overall implementation will be successful with minimal hiccups. Listen to the episode below and leave a comment if you are ready to go from no-bot to robot. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 158: From No-Bot to Robot with Bricz
EP 157: DCL Logistics
In this episode, I was joined by the President of DCL Logistics, Dave Tu. DCL Logistics is a 3PL that has a 40-year history of evolving and adapting to keep up with the ever-changing distribution environment. Dave and I discuss the history of DCL, what they do, their proprietary software, and how they utilize Universal Robots. Key Takeaways The story and history behind DCL Logistics are really inspiring and one that helps you learn the importance of being able to adapt your business to a changing landscape. Originally started as a software distribution company for Silicon Valley, Dave’s father was quite the visionary as he was able to evolve in the business as software became less of a physical product to distribute. He was able to see that e-commerce and models like Amazon would be very popular and create high demand. Through this foresight, DCL Logistics has been able to continuously evolve over the years and provide great 3PL services to many different businesses. One really interesting thing that stuck out to me from my discussion with Dave was our conversation around their proprietary software, eFactory. At the beginning of our conversation, I asked them why they saw the need to create their own software and Dave replied that it was for the internal customer who is their employees. This is a really amazing way to look at creating a solution like this. He discusses how the user interface was just not very friendly and creating a better system allowed the employees to be much more productive because it was easier to find information and the format was easier to digest. Not surprisingly, this resulted in better customer service experiences as well because the information is so much easier to obtain and access. Through my conversation, I learned that Dave used to spend his summers working in the warehouse putting labels on discs in the early days of DCL. The interesting contrast is that they have now started to utilize Universal Robots in their operation now which takes away from some of these monotonous tasks. We have had Universal Robots on the show before so it was very interesting to hear how a distribution application is working. They are utilizing the robots for small piece picking and finding great success with them as they look to the future for utilizing them in different tasks as well. Listen to the episode below and let us know if we should get Dave’s father on the show. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 157: DCL Logistics
EP 156: Locus Returns
In this episode, I was joined by a friend of the show Karen Leavitt who is the Chief Marketing Officer at Locus Robotics. I have spoken to Locus a number of times on the show, through a webinar and have even done a site visit to their headquarters in Massachusetts prior to the pandemic. They recently released some incredible news about them now being worth $1 billion and hitting Unicorn status so, first off, congratulations to them, and really happy I have been able to see them grow as I have been following them through the podcast. This episode was recorded prior to the release of the news and you will hear Karen mention some news coming soon at the end but I had no idea it would be this so it’s a really fun episode for me. We also discuss the surge in returns due to the pandemic drive spike of e-commerce demand and how the Locus Bot is helping companies keep up. Key Takeaways Without a doubt, the pandemic has and continues to have a huge impact on the supply chain and consumer behavior overall. Karen and I discuss how the pandemic has been a difficult time but has also been an opportunity for some businesses that are aligned with e-commerce. Locus has certainly been one of those companies that have been able to help businesses keep up with the unexpected spike in consumer demand. We discuss how different industries have dropped but also come back as well. Along the way, Locus has also hit some total units picked milestones as well. Overall, the pandemic has driven innovation and a sense of urgency to adopt the technology. Due to the increase in consumer’s buying on eCommerce platforms, there has also been an increase in returns. Karen explains a phenomenon called “bracketing” which refers to consumers buying multiple sizes of the same item and returning the ones that do not fit. As Karen explains, this has been the replacement for fitting rooms during the pandemic. While this is convenient for the consumer, it is not always so convenient for those processing the returns. We discuss how the seasonality of the fashion industry, where this type of behavior typically happens, can require returns to be processed very quickly as products may be going out of season and losing their opportunity to sell. Locus is ready to help meet this demand in returns by turning their co-bots into putting away machines. While the Locus bot has a big focus on picking, it can also be utilized to help with the reverse of picking and do put away. As the product is processed through returns it can be placed onto the Locus bot and then the bot will find its way to the proper area and direct the operators to put away the product in the correct bin. Karen discusses how this works and also how it can help to switch between picking and put away during downtime so your labor is being utilized efficiently. Listen to the episode below and let us know how you’re handling the spike in returns. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 156: Locus Returns
EP 155: Whitebox
In this episode, I was joined by the Chief Operating Officer of Whitebox, Rob Hahn. Whitebox handles all of your eCommerce needs from marketplace management to the returns process. They also have their own fulfillment centers and proprietary WMS to help you distribute your product to your customer and meet service level expectations. Rob and I discuss his big career takeaways, what Whitebox does, and some tips for selecting a 3PL to work with. Key Takeaways Rob has an incredibly interesting career so far and we also have a lot of similarities in our lives like majoring in entrepreneurial studies in college. Out of college, Rob got a job with Amazon when there were still some people who did not know what Amazon was. He really got in at an early time which gave him a lot of exposure to innovation and the freedom to be able to make an impact early on. As he grew within Amazon he was able to really get involved in many different big changes within the company including being in one of the first Amazon buildings to have robotics in their processes. Through this, he was able to really learn how to lead and make an impact in a fast-paced environment with a large team. There are some great career takeaways for young professionals here. Whitebox is a fairly new company that focuses on helping you not only sell your products through eCommerce platforms but also takes care of your entire fulfillment process from receiving the order, picking, packing, and shipping it out to the reverse logistics process as well. They have a unique setup with their team members coming from both operations and advertising tech backgrounds. While it may seem like somewhat of a 3PL, Rob makes it clear that it is actually a tech company providing top-level service when it comes to your eCommerce transactions. Through his experience at Amazon, he has been able to really build out a great fulfillment model and operation at Whitebox. I found it very interesting the wide customer spectrum that Whitebox has. Rob explains how the customer can range from someone just starting out an eCommerce business that might be outgrowing the garage or an older company that is now looking to get into a new space like the Amazon marketplace. It is a pretty interesting position to be in for Whitebox considering many new eCommerce businesses have been created from home through the pandemic. I believe this type of service and setup will grow immensely in the coming years as more individuals tap into the eCommerce business model and continue to realize the potential of the large consumer demand that exists. Listen to the episode below and let us know your favorite part in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 155: Whitebox
EP 154: Keeping Up with the E-commerce Spike
In this episode, I was joined by Kraig Foreman who is the DHL President, eCommerce, DHL Supply Chain, North America., and Vince Martinelli who is the Head of Product and Marketing at Right Hand Robotics and previous guest of the show. The two joined me for the latest installment in our partnership with Material Handling Wholesaler for the March 2021 cover story entitled “As E-commerce Grows, Automation and Artificial Intelligence Help Companies Keep Pace” which is now available here. We discuss the spike in e-commerce due to the pandemic, consumer behavior changes, and technology is utilized to keep up with the spike. Key Takeaways It is no secret in our industry that e-commerce demand has skyrocketed throughout the pandemic well exceeding what a normal peak season would be like. This has caused our industry to have to adapt and accommodate in many different ways all while maintaining the safety of workers. In this episode, we get to hear from two different perspectives in the industry, one in Kraig from DHL who is fulfilling orders to the consumer, and the other from Vince who is providing companies like DHL solutions to keep up with the demand. Even though both are coming from different ends, they can both agree that this unexpected spike has caused companies to accelerate their technology just to keep up. The consensus is that the change in consumer behavior due to the pandemic is here to stay and now the challenge is to ensure that companies can keep up with the demand. Kraig mentions that companies have accelerated their plans by seven years in order to meet this demand. As I discuss with Kraig and Vince, technology is the key to being able to meet the e-commerce demand and the key is automation and AI. What I found most interesting is how Kraig details the deep dives into data analytics and how they will be greatly improved by utilizing AI and taking into account many microcosms that occur within an environment that can have an impact on demand in one or another. Another interesting part of the discussion was how Vince attributes the development of technology in the material handling industry to the gaming industry. He discusses how the advancement in video game technology has helped to push forward material handling technology as well by utilizing some of the same advanced components. One thing that I have noticed is that more technical aspects that are utilized in our regular lives are migrating to our work environments as well like smartphones and how handhelds are now becoming android based. It is an interesting shift but one that helps to reduce training time and get individuals more familiar with working with these different technologies in the material handling industry. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 154: Keeping Up with the E-commerce Spike
Episode 153 – Raymond Lean Management
In this episode, I was joined by the RLM Manager of Solutions & Support Center at The Raymond Corporation, Keith Ingels. From previous podcast discussions with Raymond representatives you may be familiar with their lean management culture which is derived from their ties to Toyota. Keith is a part of the RLM or Raymond Lean Management program and came on the show to talk about his lean journey, how to get started with lean and shares multiple stories on how lean can work for operations. Key Takeaways One of the big takeaways from the discussion with Keith is that lean management is most effective when you focus on taking small steps to get to a bigger goal. The trick is to get your team and operation to focus on those small steps instead of overwhelming them with the larger overall goal. Seeing the small wins add up will get your team to keep going and in many cases, like some of the one’s Keith shares, the team will get to a larger goal than they would have ever thought possible. Keith shares some great examples of how some teams he has worked with were able to get amazing results but initially could not grasp getting to that point but got there through making small improvements. I always love to hear about continuous improvement stories because there is always a revelation moment for people when they see the results of the small steps mentioned above. Keith shares a few different stories throughout our discussion but my favorite is his story with a man named Rob who was struggling a bit with what to improve or maybe even the idea of whether or not it would work. As Keith discusses, he was guiding this gentleman on his continuous improvement journey and they started to look at the number of steps he was taking to certain things and the frequency of it. Through this observation, he was able to switch two things in his work area which helped reduce the number of steps he was taking a day. This was his revelation and Keith shares a great ending to the story explaining that he saw him a few years later and Rob was still improving and told Keith that moment is really when he saw the effectiveness of continuous improvement. A lean management program can be one that is very agile and I was interested in hearing how an operation that has this type of culture has handled the pandemic and the safety changes. Keith discusses how it has been beneficial to be a lean management-focused organization because of the agility. Since things are constantly changing and improving in this type of atmosphere, making changes due to COVID was somewhat of the normal course. It also made it easy for employees to adapt to the changes as they are used to adapting to different changes and making changes themselves. Listen to the episode below and leave your favorite improvement in the comments. Check out a LinkedIn Live on Lean Management from Keith as well. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 153: Raymond Lean Management
Episode 152 – Accuracy with inVia Robotics
In this episode, I was joined by the CEO and Founder of inVia Robotics, Lior Elazary. You may remember Lior from our MODEX series last year on Episode 60 where we discussed the origins of inVia Robotics and how the landscape of robotics in the material handling industry has changed so dramatically. One thing that stuck out to me from our conversation was how the inVia solution does inventory control so in this episode Lior and I dive deeper into that discussion. Warehouse Safety Tip! – You will also notice that we are trying something new on this episode with the guest giving a warehouse safety tip in the beginning. Please let me know your thoughts on this by commenting below or emailing me at kevin@thenewwarehouse.com. Key Takeaways Lior and I previously spoke at MODEX in 2020 in-person which is hard to believe in our current virtual world. As a refresher inVia Robotics is a robot as a service-based business that provides AI-driven robots that help fulfillment centers become more efficient and help to meet their service level agreement without putting employees at risk of being overworked. Their solutions have come in as a huge help during the pandemic for their customers due to the ability of the robots to keep working when employees cannot. Lior explains how the robot combination with a put wall type of setup allows the robot to be able to pick the orders and fill the spaces within the put wall at times when employees are not there. This is a huge help to reduce downtime not only during the pandemic but also in other times when you may need to close down. Since the last time, we spoke COVID changed businesses dramatically so I asked Lior how inVia has done throughout the pandemic. He discusses how many companies have tried to find a way to survive but in doing so many have also been able to thrive. With businesses thriving, it has created higher demand on fulfillment workers which has created some difficulties for maintaining safety. Lior discusses how their first adaptation was to build into their technology a way to keep workers distanced from each other to avoid any germs being spread. Additionally, he gives a great story on how they implemented remote deployments for a customer in Japan. If you know anything about my background it has been focused on inventory control for the majority of my career so when our first conversation mentioned it I knew I wanted to explore it further at a later date. Our discussion around this is incredibly interesting because it highlights great aspects of the inVia solution that help to improve inventory accuracy but also robots in general. One interesting point that Lior makes is that the robot will never make a mistake, it works to a fault so if it goes to a location and the wrong tote is there it will tell you. In contrast, a human might not say anything or they may see the right product is in the location to the left of where they are supposed to pick from so they will take it from there and not say anything. The robot forces you to be accurate and also calls out your mistakes and due to it not being able to think to the left or right it will not try to solve the issue itself like a human. Lior also mentions some of the built-in features or the inVia solution like being able to check counts based on the weight and also the ability to have the totes taken to a certain place for a person to fix. Watch the video below for information on how to cycle counting with their solution works. Listen to the episode below and let us know if you think robots could make a dramatic improvement to your inventory accuracy in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 152: Accuracy with inVia Robotics
Episode 151 – Flux Power
In this episode, I was joined by the CEO of Flux Power, Ron Dutt. Just recently I covered lithium-ion batteries for Material Handling Wholesaler on Episode 147 and the response was great with tons of inquiries for more lithium-ion information. So, here it is, more lithium-ion information! In my discussion with Ron, we touch on Flux Power’s offerings, the difficulty of getting lithium-ion to a wider market, and how this market coincides with the electric vehicle market. Key Takeaways Flux Power is a battery manufacturer that focuses on the material handling industry. They solely focus on developing lithium-ion energy packs for use in the material handling industry. Their founder has a background in the electric vehicle industry and saw an opportunity with trying to convert the material handling industry to lithium-ion to help improve efficiency and also reduce the impact on the environment. Flux Power has found some great success so far including getting Fortune 50 companies to adopt their lithium-ion technology due to very attractive long-term savings. One of the big hangs up around lithium-ion is the upfront cost. However, there are long-term savings that can outweigh lead-acid solutions. Ron gives a great example of how a company was able to put their engineers on determining the savings and realized they were saving as much as $5,000 per day due to not having to switch batteries. This is a huge savings that can have a big impact on your operation overall. In addition to the savings, Ron also discusses the incredibly positive impact adopting lithium-ion has on the environment which helps to make our supply chains more sustainable. Since the founder of Flux Power comes from an electric vehicle background, lithium-ion reminded me of the similarities of the beginning of the electric vehicle market. There is some skepticism around lithium-ion and whether or not it is a viable long-term solution to switch to. This is quite similar to the introduction of electric vehicles which are now being widely adopted. Ron talks about the beginning stages of Flux and how they were able to overcome skepticism. One really interesting point he makes is that the operator of a forklift will not quite treat the equipment the same as an electric vehicle owner. From this, they were able to learn how to make their battery packs more durable. Overall, I think that there is a bright future in lithium-ion and I am happy to be learning so much about it. Listen to the episode below and let us know if any questions in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 151: Flux Power
Episode 150 – Digitization and Sustainability in Refrigerated Warehouses with Viking Cold Solutions
In this episode, I was joined by the President & CEO of Viking Cold Solutions, James Bell. Viking Cold Solutions is a thermal energy management company that focuses on creating more efficient and environmentally friendly cold storage solutions. James and I discuss how thermal energy works in cold storage and how digitization has become a key component to maximizing the efficiency of your cold storage setup. Key Takeaways Admittedly, I have no direct experience with cold storage so we start off the episode by discussing just exactly what cold storage is. James gives a great breakdown of not only what a cold storage facility is but also a bit about the cold supply chain and some of the operational impacts that are involved. As you can imagine, due to the temperature-sensitive nature of cold storage, there are additional levels of complexity above a standard warehouse. One of these is that it takes much more to build out a cold storage facility and James tells us how cold storage is actually in high demand and supply is low due to the increased home delivery demand of food during the pandemic. Digitization is on the rise in our industry overall but James talks specifically about digitization within the cold storage industry. This is very interesting because there is a lot of opportunities to create more efficiency and ultimately save money if your refrigerated warehouse is being properly managed. The digitization of your system gives you the ability to be more flexible with your operation because of the large amounts of data that are able to be collected and then acted upon. One of the things that are really interesting about the digitization combined with Viking Cold Solutions setup is that the thermal energy that is being stored can be leveraged to become a profit center. While energy is being generated and stored it may be more than is actually needed. With monitoring capabilities due to digitization, operations are then able to actually sell energy back to the power company by pumping it back into the grid. As James explains, this results in a huge amount of savings for an operation. Listen to the episode below and let us know your cold storage solutions experiences in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 150: Digitization and Sustainability in Refrigerated Warehouses with Viking Cold Solutions
Episode 149 – Warehouse Theft with BSI
In this episode, I was joined by Jim Yarbrough of BSI. Jim is a Global Intelligence Manager for BSI or the British Standards Institute who focuses on security and risk within the supply chain. This can include anything from political upheaval to cargo theft. Previously on the show, I have spoken with other BSI representatives about porch pirates and supply chain theft. For this discussion, we focus on warehouse theft and how certain types of theft have been on the rise due to the pandemic. We also discuss how to prepare yourself for this type of theft and reduce the risk of it happening to your operation. Key Takeaways It is no news to anyone that 2020 was a wild ride and most of the things that Jim’s group at BSI focuses on actually happened in the last year so he is a good source to understand what increased types of theft are out there. One thing that has been on the rise is warehouse theft which has become more appealing to criminals during the pandemic. With warehouses not working and having days where no one is in or around the building it has made for opportunistic times to steal for thieves. Additionally, Jim points out that warehouse consolidation has also been a contributing factor to freight being stolen when it is on the move. I’m always interested in hearing everyone’s journey in our industry and Jim has a very interesting one which we get into. He actually has a warehouse operations background. Jim discusses how that experience has helped him to understand his work at BSI more and how to be able to relate to individuals who are on the floor. This is an important note that we have discussed multiple times on the podcast and really helps you progress in your career. It is so important to spend time on the floor and understand what people are really doing for the day to day. Since Jim and his team are able to review so many different security incidents they have a great basis from which to give recommendations to operations on how to be more secure. His biggest point in preparing yourself for any type of threat is creating awareness. By being aware of yourself and also making your team aware you’ll be able to know when others are stealing or where potential threats lie. Additionally, employees start to understand what to look for outside of the facility as well which can help you increase your security measures. Listen to the episode below and let us know how you are protecting your operation in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 149: Warehouse Theft with BSI
Episode 148 – ROI Breakdown with Procensis
In this episode, I was joined by Chuck Coxhead who is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Procensis. I often talk to solutions providers on the show and we talk about the solutions they provide but when I connected with Chuck we wanted to explore how do we get these solutions into our operations and have them make sense. In this episode, we discuss the ins and outs of ROI, benefit-cost analysis, and how to present those solutions to decision-makers in your organization. Key Takeaways Chuck works for Procensis which is a mobility and network design solutions provider that helps to improve your operation’s overall workflow. They work with many different providers, including the ones we have featured on the show previously, so they have the ability to give you the best overall solution for you and not just one solution. With so many different solutions on the market, it is great that there is the ability to work with a company that can help you get the best for you matched up and put together to give you the best flow. ROI is the return on investment and when it comes to making a decision for purchasing a new solution for your operation the numbers need to make sense. Without a good ROI, you will most likely not get the green light to go forward with implementation or purchase. Chuck gives us a great breakdown of what ROI is and how it relates to our industry. Simply put, in the majority of companies, if you cannot put together a proper ROI your proposal or project will most likely not go too far. Chuck is very familiar with this as he is on the sales side of trying to get solutions into operations and helps companies understand what they can gain from certain solutions every day. One thing that Chuck points out is that you need to look at the cost-benefit analysis in addition to the ROI. This will help you understand where you are saving on costs at a much more detailed level. You can be implementing something that directly relates to one process but can have an impact on multiple other processes as well. This is a key to not only understanding the true benefits of a new solution but also to understanding where improvements can be made. We also discuss one important process of this is doing a proper time study to understand where in your process you are spending lots of time thus spending lots of money. When we look at ROI and the cost-benefit analysis often times we get caught up in only the quantitative numbers but miss some of the larger benefits. Chuck goes deep into discussing these different factors like safety, learning, and overall employee well-being. These are hard things to measure but the cost savings over time can be huge. From my experience, decreasing training time can be a huge benefit and savings to keep your operation flowing even when headcount fluctuates. Listen to the episode below and let us know what you factor into your calculations in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 148: ROI Breakdown with Procensis
Episode 147 – Powering Up with Lithium-Ion
In this episode, I was joined by two material handling energy experts for the Material Handling Wholesaler February 2021 Cover Story entitled “The Dollars and Sense of Lithium-Ion Battery Technology” now available at MHWmag.com. My two guests were the Chief Marketing Officer for Green Cubes Technology, Jeff VanZwol and Damon Hosmer who is the Product Manager for Energy Solutions at The Raymond Corporation. We discuss their lithium-ion solutions, justifying the cost, the chemistry, and future of lithium-ion. Key Takeaways Damon was very excited to join the show as The Raymond Corporation just recently launched their Energy Essentials lithium-ion battery line. He discusses what their goals are for the line and why they are investing in bringing lithium-ion to the market. We also discuss how Raymond can help you to determine if lithium-ion is the right decision for your operation. Interestingly there are some additional benefits that you may not realize right away. One of these being the increased space on the machine and what you can do with that additional real estate. Jeff joins the discussion from Green Cubes Technology which is a battery manufacturer. He gives a great perspective on how to really look at the ROI for lithium-ion and be able to justify the higher upfront costs. While lithium-ion has a higher upfront cost than traditional power sources like lead-acid, it saves more money over a longer time period. It does this because you are able to charge more efficiently and you are also moving away from battery swapping which saves on maintenance costs. He also discusses how Green Cubes will help you to do an overall power study to determine how lithium-ion can help and benefit you. One of the questions I had for both of them was what the life of these batteries is like since we know in some lithium-ion battery applications, like a cellphone, excessive charging can cause reduced battery life. Jeff and Damon give great in-depth insights into the different types of chemistry and how they can vary but due to these chemistry makeups, there is no battery life reduction like you would experience in a cell phone or laptop. I’m not much of a chemist but Damon really breaks it down and also gives a great explanation as to why Raymond chose a certain one. While there is still much to learn about lithium-ion, it is pretty clear that we are in the early stages of growth. We are very much in the state where electric vehicles were a few years ago and as electric vehicle popularity increases in the consumer world, we will certainly see an increase in the commercial world as well. The technology is ready and now it is up to operations to make the swap if it is a right fit. There are many benefits presented in this episode and more beyond that as well. It will be very interesting to see how to market adoption continues to grow over the next few years. Listen to the episode below, leave a comment or join the discussion on LinkedIn below. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 147: Powering Up with Lithium-Ion
Episode 146 – Barcodes with IBM
In this episode, I was joined by Takshay Aggarwal of IBM to discuss barcodes and their evolution. IBM covers a vast array of industries and I have been lucky enough to talk to a few of their brightest from the supply chain department on the podcast including Jeanette Barlow and Jonathan Wright. Takshay and I get into barcodes and talk about their origins, standardization, and how they have evolved over time. Key Takeaways Barcodes are ubiquitous in our world whether we realize they are there or not. As a consumer, we may not notice the barcode so much but as supply chain professionals we are highly aware of this powerful tool. The barcode was invented in 1949 and has been around for a very long time and with that, it has become even more powerful over time. Takshay gives a brief history of barcodes themselves and how they first developed and got to a point of standardization. What is interesting about the history is that they were not so widely adopted initially. As someone with a background in inventory control, barcodes are a big deal for me and a definite necessity in my eyes. This is from the simple ability to be able to track products within the supply chain and have a better sense of where it is located. Takshay goes more in-depth into how the life cycle of barcodes help to track and trace products. The ability to trace is incredibly important when it comes to recalls or quality issues that need to be addressed to prevent potential consumer issues. Barcodes have evolved over time to harness more data and also come in different variations such as QR Codes. Our discussion leads to how the barcode has now been utilized in the supply chain of COVID vaccines as well. When we look at something of this importance we want to be able to track it through the supply chain and understand where it ends up before it is injected. Takshay discusses how the barcode can be utilized at several points of the vaccine distribution process to ensure that everything is happening safely and the way it is supposed to happen. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts on barcodes in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 146: Barcodes with IBM
Episode 145 – Nate Schisler’s Distribution Journey
In this episode, I was joined by a fellow distribution professional named Nate Schisler. Nate has an extensive background in distribution and logistics that has seen him work for major logistic powerhouses like DHL and UPS as well as other experiences including his most recent position at lululemon. All this has led to his transition into his new business DistributionX providing companies with his expertise in the space. We discuss his journey through distribution and logistics, his experiences and learnings, and how to survive through intense projects. Key Takeaways Nate had a very similar journey that I find many have had in getting to a career in distribution and logistics. Similar to a previous guest, John Conte, he started working in the logistics industry by doing the hard work and loading trailers at night for UPS. As he got his experience at UPS he quickly moved up and learned the UPS way and culture which really set the foundation for his career in distribution and logistics. From there he spent some time at Eddie Bauer as their WMS superuser, then moved on to DHL for a short time to help open a new distribution center which led him across the street to lululemon. Here he was able to help them grow rapidly over the past 7 years and help them launch multiple distribution projects allowing for them to continue their success. From his experience, he had worked and been exposed to consultants in the industry and began to understand that there was a gap in the market because consultants would need to be engaged for long periods of time in order to make their business viable. What he realized is that smaller companies often times would not be able to bring in a consultant to help them because of the cost of keeping them on board for a long length of time. This brought him to the idea of DistributionX where he does short term consulting for companies of all sizes. It works perfectly for both him and the companies he is working with. It allows him to continue to be exposed to different projects and allows companies to be able to tap into a distribution and logistics expert without a long term commitment. One of the great things about my discussion with Nate is all the great experiences he shares throughout our conversation. It is a great example of all the different directions that a career in distribution and logistics can take you. There are so many different facets to our industry that can allow you to really explore and find where you fit in. His journey is a great example of how you can grow and learn so much through taking on different projects. There are a ton of gems in this episode that can really help you navigate your career to get to where you want to be in distribution and logistics. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 145: Nate Schisler’s Distribution Journey
Episode 144 – Packsize
In this episode, I was joined by Hanko Kiessner who is the CEO and Founder of Packsize. He has built a company that is focused on reducing packaging waste in the supply chain. Packsize provides equipment that helps your operation use the right size packaging and reduces waste significantly. We discuss how Packsize got started, the mission of Packsize, and packaging as a service. Key Takeaways Packsize is a provider of right-sized packaging solutions that provides operations with a way to reduce packaging waste, save on costs, help the environment and provide a better customer experience. With 24 million truckloads of packaging waste shipping every year, this is a huge issue that needs to be addressed and Packsize was founded based on the idea of eliminating this waste. Hanko has helped to build the company up so that the Packsize solutions can fit into your operation and not only help you package your shipments better but also improve your operational flow. Hanko comes from a family of packaging companies which led to him coming up with Packsize. Working at his father’s company he recognized the gap in the supply chain where the packaging was standardized but order sizes were not. Since the order size depends on the customer and can be unpredictable he wanted to see how can packaging be customized to the order. That is how Packsize was developed and it has grown to now become a fully automated solution that can package up to 1,000 packages an hour. The big mission behind Packsize is sustainability and reducing the overall packaging waste that we, as consumers, create. With their solution, you are able to reduce the amount of filler you need for packaging which is typically not very friendly to the environment. Since the packaging is customized to the order it only uses the exact amount of corrugate needed which allows you to automatically reduce that waste. There are many benefits to this that are not only good for the environment but also for overall costs and customer experience. To help customers adopt these solutions more easily, Packsize has a unique business model called packaging as a service. We have discussed software as a service and hardware as a service but now we have packaging as a service. This works by Packsize providing you with a machine that suits your operation at no cost. Packsize provides the corrugate for the machine and that is how they make their money. Hanko discusses how this helps companies make a quicker decision on adapting their solutions and also to realize ROI with Packsize almost immediately. Listen to the episode below and let us know if you plan to start packing right in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 144: Packsize
Episode 143 – Supply Chain Sustainability with Justin Goldston
In this episode, I was joined by Justin Goldston who is a professor, speaker, Ph.D., and all-around supply chain expert. Justin currently teaches supply chain at Penn State University and Georgetown University. He has spoken at many conferences all around the world and was scheduled to speak at a conference in Vietnam just a few hours after we recorded this episode. We discuss the current education climate for the supply chain, his take on sustainability in the supply chain, and the future place of automation in the supply chain. Key Takeaways As a professor, Justin is constantly trying to engage his students in different ways and has had to adapt to the pandemic style of teaching. He gives us some insight on how the pandemic has had an impact on education and how some professors are struggling to translate their education into a virtual environment. We discuss some of the unique ways that Justin tries to interest his students in the supply chain through experiential learning and exposing them to many different professionals in the industry. It is a positive note for the industry that he is finding student’s interest in the supply chain continues to increase. Justin often discusses sustainability in his presentations but not in the typical way that initially comes to mind. He goes in-depth into his thinking behind sustainability in the global supply chain and how it involves many facets of an organization. One interesting perspective is his views on diversity in organizations. He discusses how diversity and inclusion are often discussed but what is sometimes missed is the expansion of the talent pool throughout the globe and the great impact that can have on a company’s bottom line. This is a really interesting insight as it gives companies a better footprint in attracting talent and also understanding global markets to help introduce their products to them. One of the constant ongoing discussions in the supply chain is the future of jobs within an automated operation. Will there be dark warehouses or will it be collaborative? Justin gives us his take and also some great examples of when dark operations were attempted but had some struggles. I think we are both on the same page when it comes to the belief that automation will be a collaborative effort and the human element will always be needed at some level. Listen to the episode below and let us know your take on sustainability in the supply chain in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 143: Supply Chain Sustainability with Justin Goldston
Episode 142 – AutoStore with Jon Schechter
In this episode, I spoke with Jon Schechter who is a Business Development Manager at AutoStore. We just recently spoke with Andrew Benzinger from AutoStore as well about micro-fulfillment on Episode 139 but Jon and I have a completely different discussion. We dive into the concept of fleet-based robots, the new trend of software-based material handling systems, and the differences between our industry in Germany and America. Key Takeaways One of my favorite things from this episode is hearing the story of how AutoStore was created. The solution was created because an electronics distributor who was servicing Scandinavia was quickly running out of room in their distribution center and was trying to figure out how to solve this issue without expanding or getting an additional location. From this issue, they created AutoStore and were able to redefine their space by bringing this solution to life. At first, they just used it for themselves, and as their customers started to see the solution they wanted to install it in their facility as well. A true example of fix what bugs you. We discuss fleet-based robots which is a system that allows all robots to coordinate so that the inventory is in the right place at the right time. The best way to describe this system is the example that Jon gives where, in a typical warehouse setup, you have conveyors where orders have been released in batches and cannot be moved without human intervention. He discusses how a priority order can get lost or needs lots of attention to get it to the front of the line in a non-fleet based setup whereas, with a fleet based setup, the robots can coordinate with each other so that robots carrying priority orders can move to the front of the line and the others know to move back in line. This allows you to be more effective and have your operation run more efficiently while delivering better customer satisfaction. Jon and I get into a great discussion around software in the warehouse. As I’m sure you know, bringing in new software or upgrading software into your operation can be a scary thing. Many times these projects do not go according to plan or there are a lot of hiccups along the way. I know that I have seen it myself but Jon has some great words of wisdom for these projects that he heard from his former boss. He says that the first day of the software implementation will be the worst and it will only get better from there. This is a great perspective because it is very true. The initial stress of what issues may be happening is not worth it because the issues will work out and overall your operation will be better for the implementation. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 142: AutoStore and Jon Schechter
Episode 141 – SmartBOL
In this episode, I was joined by James Sramek of SmartBOL. James does enterprise sales at SmartBOL and came on to discuss how their solution works and how it has evolved during COVID as well, in fact, it was almost built for contact-less service before COVID even came around. The episode is also great if you want to learn about BOL’s as well since I have James give a BOL 101 course at the beginning of the show. To hear more about pandemic innovations listen to my 2020 recap here. Key Takeaways BOL basics are the first thing that James and I discuss. Essentially, a BOL or Bill of Lading is a contract that states that a carrier has picked up the stated goods from the shipper and will deliver them to the intended receiving destination. It serves as proof that a shipment has been picked up and been put into the carrier’s possession. Typically this is usually just a simple piece of paper but SmartBOL has taken this process and made it digital. The driver gives an electronic signature and then all the records are stored in the cloud or your database. This makes the process much more efficient and helps to eliminate the risk of losing paper not only for transit purposes but also for filing and future reference purposes. James explains how there are multiple applications for the technology which gives your operational flexibility and also additional safety measures during COVID. You are able to set up a kiosk where drivers can sign the BOLs or even a mobile application that drivers can utilize right in the cab of their truck. During the pandemic, this is a great safety measure because it gives you another opportunity to keep your employees from being exposed to additional people, in this case, the drivers. The setup can be totally external with no need for the driver to enter the facility at all. One of the questions I had for James was what happens if only one party has the SmartBOL application. James explains how in many cases both the shipper and receiver have SmartBOL but if the receiver does not then the application will send them a one-time email with a link that will allow them to open the document to do an electronic signature. On the driver’s side, it has the ability to send them text messages as well with the link for the paperwork. I love that no matter what, there is no instance where one party will not be able to utilize the application meaning that, as a shipper, you will not have to deal with exceptions to your process. Listen to the episode below and let us know how you are staying contact-less in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 141: SmartBOL
Episode 140 – Pandemic Innovations, 2020 Recap
In this episode, I take a look back at 2020 and discuss the theme of pandemic innovations. This episode features clips from Episode 72, Episode 78, and Episode 130. During the pandemic, there were a lot of dark things happening but through the darkness, there was some light as the technology was evolving and innovations were happening to help humanity adapt to the new normal. Those innovations are what this episode is all about. While we are still quite a distance from seeing life return to normal, we can be sure that innovation will continue to happen and as I mention in the episode, our ability to adapt and innovate is a great sign that we will make it through this and be better for it. I am eager to see what other innovations will occur and how they will push our technology further in a shorter time span than we may have seen without the pandemic driving the need. The innovations discussed in this episode highlight some of the biggest themes of the pandemic which are keeping businesses operating through flexibility, social distancing, and sanitization. All three of these things have been very important factors, especially in our industry, for survival. My thoughts go out to all those in the industry around the world who have been working to help meet consumer demand during these unexpected surges. I hope that you enjoy this episode and find the highlighted innovations to be intriguing and inspiring. Thank you so much for being a listener throughout the year and I welcome any feedback on the podcast you might have. You can leave a comment below or email me at kevin@thenewwarehouse.com. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 140: Pandemic Innovations, 2020 Recap
Episode 139 – AutoStore and Micro-fulfillment
In this episode, I was joined by Andrew Benzinger who is a Business Development Manager at AutoStore. Andrew and I discuss AutoStore’s robotic solution, micro-fulfillment, space utilization, and the concept of space redefined. Find out how AutoStore is redefining space below. For more information on micro-fulfillment check out episodes 44 and 56. Key Takeaways AutoStore is a cube-based robotics solution where the robots operate on top of a grid that houses storage bins underneath. Their goal is to help companies utilize their space or redefine it, as they say, by creating more storage to allow for micro-fulfillment to happen closer to your customer. In almost every case, AutoStore allows for nearly 75% space reduction in all use cases which allows you to get more out of your space but also get more creative in the spaces you use. It not only helps you to become more efficient in fulfilling your orders but also helps you to reduce real estate expenses while still having great locations near your target consumers. Space redefined is AutoStore’s slogan and their solution truly allows you to utilize your space in a much more efficient way. Andrew discusses how not only does it allow you to get more utilization out of your space but it also then allows you to do much more interesting things for your consumers. He discusses some different examples where retailers are now able to store more in the back room which allows them to open up more space on the sales floor. Additionally, it can also allow for a better experience-based retail space by not keeping stock in the sales area which allows customers to just experience the product. There is also an interesting concept on the website where the AutoStore system actually delivers the product right to a pick-up window, like an ATM, for the customer. One of the big applications for the AutoStore solution is in the grocery space. Andrew and I have a very in-depth conversation on how grocery trends have been changing due to COVID both in the sense of people getting groceries delivered more and also in the sense of people still wanting to pick their own food. With AutoStore, the fulfillment of groceries can become much more efficient since it allows for food to be stored and easily picked by receiving the order in the system and sending it to the picker. We also discussed the quality control and rotation that goes along with grocery orders. It was very interesting to hear how AutoStore can assist in the process of ensuring proper rotation of food to not only help deliver the best quality product to the customer but also help to reduce food waste as well. Listen to the episode below and let us know if you want an AutoStore in your basement in the comments below. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 139: AutoStore and Micro-fulfillment