AutoStore releases new research report: “Five challenges for Warehouse Management and Fulfillment in 2023”
A survey of 300+ C-level executives finds that reducing costs and investing in automation technology are top priorities Today AutoStore™ launches a new benchmark report with insights from over 300 C-level business leaders in warehouse management and fulfillment. Survey participants identified the top three current challenges facing organizations as rising energy costs (32%), increasing labor costs (27%), and supply chain and shipping constraints (26%). “There is a need to operate more efficiently, which is perhaps why nearly 9 in 10 organizations either have or are planning to install, automation technology in their warehouse in 2023,” said Ellen Brune, Head of Global Strategic Accounts at AutoStore. “The intention to meet a challenging macro environment with a technology uptake is good news for customers who want their products quickly.” AutoStore surveyed executives from North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific for the report. European respondents (44%) cited energy costs as a top challenge, compared to North American and Asia Pacific respondents (24%). Conversely, rising labor costs are more of a concern in APAC (34%) and North America (27%), compared to Europe (22%). Efficiency-Enhancing Technology According to the industry business leaders, the most important focus areas for 2023 are improving customer satisfaction levels (34%), investing in automation technology (31%), sustainable solutions (31%), greater workforce efficiency (31%), and delivering goods-to-person faster (30%). A large majority of respondents (88%) shared that they will implement an automated storage and retrieval system by 2024. Thirty-two percent have some sort of automation technology in place already and 56% are making plans to deploy it in the next 12 months. “Automation technology has shifted to where it is no longer a ‘nice to have’ in the warehouse, but an absolute must-have,” said Marcus Mogéus, Chief Marketing Officer at AutoStore. “This report shows that the investment plan for companies when it comes to automation technology has increased dramatically from previous reports.” Push for Space Efficiency The report shows that approximately one in three industry business leaders cite sustainability as a key priority for 2023. Energy efficiency (55%), reducing waste (46%), employee well-being (43%), reducing storage footprint (39%), and recycling (36%) were the most important initiatives. Conversely, when asked what brands are looking for from AS/RS providers, sustainability decreased in priority (13%). In comparison, respondents cited reliability (24%), simplicity (22%), and space utilization (20%) as more important attributes. In fact, 43% said space saving/utilization will be mission critical to their business and 49% cited it as a very important business priority. “Space is critically important for organizations. We help businesses reduce costs, become more efficient, and deliver a complete ROI in one to three years while reducing a warehouse footprint by 75% when compared to conventional storage,” said Brune. “Optimizing space closely aligns with the challenge of rising costs.” For more information about the report, go to https://www.autostoresystem.com/insights.
Episode 354: ICPMobile
Jeff Scott, CEO of ICPMobile, joins The New Warehouse Podcast this week to discuss wearable devices for warehousing and fulfillment. Infinite Peripherals provides hardware and software solutions for healthcare, retail, supply chain, logistics, and more. In this episode, Jeff gives a sneak peek of their new HaloRing Scanner that just recently released. Key Takeaways The NexusConnect device from ICPMobile uses the Otterbox uniVERSE rail system allowing it to work with Android and IOS devices. With the IP65 rating, long and short-range scanning, and wireless charging, NexusConnect transforms familiar mobile devices into powerful, ergonomically friendly warehouse scanning devices. The HaloRing Scanner is the first wearable device from ICPMobile and has recently just become available. The all-in-one Android device weighs only three ounces, has an OLED display, and allows the user to scan and take action instead of requiring an additional device. Jeff discusses how this scanner is a more natural motion ergonomically for users and frees up both hands to perform tasks. Jeff shares how ICPMobile began performing point-of-sale receipt printers nearly thirty years ago, which evolved into capturing signatures, collecting mobile payments, and eventually inventory management. In 2009, Infinite Peripherals developed a device for Apple that could scan barcodes, read card payments, and had a protective case and battery backup for extended use. Interestingly, Apple found that stores using the easy devices from Infinite sold more accessories and Apple Care through the easy payment solution. Jeff and Kevin discuss the benefits of leveraging existing technology, such as smartphones, to reduce training and simplify everyday tasks. Jeff shares a story of replacing an antiquated hole punch system with staff having an average tenure of thirty-five years. Replacing a one-hundred-year-old process came with resistance, but at the end of the pilot, none of the participants wanted to return the devices that made their jobs easier. Jeff explains how the relationships with ICPMobile and its customers provide valuable insights regarding what the customer wants. These insights lead Infinite to take on creating software in addition to hardware devices. He adds that customers want one device for multiple capabilities, such as collecting payments, performing cycle counts, or inventory management. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 354: ICPMobile
Episode 354: ICPMobile
Jeff Scott, CEO of ICPMobile, joins The New Warehouse Podcast this week to discuss wearable devices for warehousing and fulfillment. Infinite Peripherals provides hardware and software solutions for healthcare, retail, supply chain, logistics, and more. In this episode, Jeff gives a sneak peek of their new HaloRing Scanner that just recently released. Key Takeaways The NexusConnect device from ICPMobile uses the Otterbox uniVERSE rail system allowing it to work with Android and IOS devices. With the IP65 rating, long and short-range scanning, and wireless charging, NexusConnect transforms familiar mobile devices into powerful, ergonomically friendly warehouse scanning devices. The HaloRing Scanner is the first wearable device from ICPMobile and has recently just become available. The all-in-one Android device weighs only three ounces, has an OLED display, and allows the user to scan and take action instead of requiring an additional device. Jeff discusses how this scanner is a more natural motion ergonomically for users and frees up both hands to perform tasks. Jeff shares how ICPMobile began performing point-of-sale receipt printers nearly thirty years ago, which evolved into capturing signatures, collecting mobile payments, and eventually inventory management. In 2009, Infinite Peripherals developed a device for Apple that could scan barcodes, read card payments, had a protective case and battery backup for extended use. Interestingly, Apple found that stores using the easy devices from Infinite sold more accessories and Apple Care through the easy payment solution. Jeff and Kevin discuss the benefits of leveraging existing technology, such as smartphones, to reduce training and simplify everyday tasks. Jeff shares a story of replacing an antiquated hole punch system with staff having an average tenure of thirty-five years. Replacing a one-hundred-year-old process came with resistance, but at the end of the pilot, none of the participants wanted to return the devices that made their jobs easier. Jeff explains how the relationships with ICPMobile and its customers provide valuable insights regarding what the customer wants. These insights lead Infinite to take on creating software in addition to hardware devices. He adds that customers want one device for multiple capabilities, such as collecting payments, performing cycle counts, or inventory management. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 354: ICPMobile
AutoStore releases new research report: “Five challenges for Warehouse Management and Fulfillment in 2023”
A survey of 300+ C-level executives finds that reducing costs and investing in automation technology are top priorities AutoStore™ has launched a new benchmark report with insights from over 300 C-level business leaders in warehouse management and fulfillment. Survey participants identified the top three current challenges facing organizations as rising energy costs (32%), increasing labor costs (27%), and supply chain and shipping constraints (26%). “There is a need to operate more efficiently, which is perhaps why nearly 9 in 10 organizations either have or are planning to install, automation technology in their warehouse in 2023,” said Ellen Brune, Head of Global Strategic Accounts at AutoStore. “The intention to meet a challenging macro environment with a technology uptake is good news for customers who want their products quickly.” AutoStore surveyed executives from North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific for the report. European respondents (44%) cited energy costs as a top challenge, compared to North American and Asia Pacific respondents (24%). Conversely, rising labor costs are more of a concern in APAC (34%) and North America (27%), compared to Europe (22%). Efficiency-Enhancing Technology According to the industry business leaders, the most important focus areas for 2023 are improving customer satisfaction levels (34%), investing in automation technology (31%), sustainable solutions (31%), greater workforce efficiency (31%), and delivering goods-to-person faster (30%). A large majority of respondents (88%) shared that they will implement an automated storage and retrieval system by 2024. Thirty-two percent have some sort of automation technology in place already and 56% are making plans to deploy it in the next 12 months. “Automation technology has shifted to where it is no longer a ‘nice to have’ in the warehouse, but an absolute must-have,” said Marcus Mogéus, Chief Marketing Officer at AutoStore. “This report shows that the investment plan for companies when it comes to automation technology has increased dramatically from previous reports.” Push for Space Efficiency The report shows that approximately one in three industry business leaders cite sustainability as a key priority for 2023. Energy efficiency (55%), reducing waste (46%), employee well-being (43%), reducing storage footprint (39%), and recycling (36%) were the most important initiatives. Conversely, when asked what brands are looking for from AS/RS providers, sustainability decreased in priority (13%). In comparison, respondents cited reliability (24%), simplicity (22%), and space utilization (20%) as more important attributes. In fact, 43% said space saving/utilization will be mission critical to their business and 49% cited it as a very important business priority. “Space is critically important for organizations. We help businesses reduce costs, become more efficient, and deliver a complete ROI in one to three years while reducing a warehouse footprint by 75% when compared to conventional storage,” said Brune. “Optimizing space closely aligns with the challenge of rising costs.” For more information about the report, go to https://www.autostoresystem.com/insights.
One user interface for all devices in the warehouse from Picavi
Picavi will be highlighting their software at ProMat 2023: One of the main topics at booth S3459 is the user interface of the pick-by-vision specialist. Independent of the higher-level system, users can operate this not only on smart glasses but also on many other devices if required. To increase productivity and minimize errors, more and more companies are supporting their warehouse staff with wearables, for example in picking or returns management. At ProMat, pick-by-vision expert Picavi will show how users can deploy the user interface on a wide range of devices. Whether it is smart glasses, MDE, smartphone, or tablet – Picavi ensures device-independent intuitive usability and clear work processes. With Picavi, warehouse managers have a single point of contact for the entire software infrastructure of their wearables in their logistics operations. The Picavi software integrates seamlessly into existing IT infrastructure and communicates with all higher-level ERP and warehouse management systems. Especially for 3PL companies who serve different clients and often use multiple soft- and hardware, this brings numerous advantages: Picavi supports all common interfaces such as SAP, various web services, HTML, and Telnet connections. This eliminates the need for cost- and resource-intensive programming of special solutions. Employees work with the same user interface across devices and interfaces, which increases process reliability and productivity. The simple language and the targeted use of icons and images make Picavi’s user interface intuitive to use. Interactions with the software, also fully controllable via voice commands, are designed to be understood by everyone immediately. This minimizes training and ramp-up times. At ProMat, Picavi will demonstrate with real-life examples how the company helps logistics professionals improve their performance sustainably. Attendees can also try out the Picavi solutions for themselves at booth S3459.
LD Systems
Episode 353: Spot AI
SPOT AI is a camera system that helps businesses leverage video footage to improve safety, security, and efficiency. By detecting areas of improvement early on, companies can save time and resources and reduce operational costs – ultimately leading to increased profits and customer satisfaction. In this episode of The New Warehouse, Sud Bhatija, co-founder of SPOT AI, discusses how intelligence dashboards can identify potential bottlenecks, provide training opportunities and improve collaboration. Key Takeaways SPOT AI works with any existing camera system customers have and provides them with an intuitive dashboard containing modern tools powered by AI. These tools make it easier for users to search through hours of footage quickly, collaborate on the footage securely, set alerts triggered by certain activities or people in specific areas, and receive notifications when those alerts are activated. Companies are using video technology to monitor specific areas, such as forklift or equipment usage in unauthorized areas. This technology can be used proactively to train new employees and prevent incidents. Customers have used this technology to improve their operations’ efficiency by instrumenting how long trucks idle in yards and how quickly loading/unloading takes place. Spot AI’s intelligent dashboard allows customers to get a real-time understanding of their business operations. The dashboard lets customers visualize and track all the different metrics they need to know about their business performance in one single, easy-to-access location. This enables customers to quickly analyze and identify areas performing below target or exhibiting any bottlenecks. Sud believes that to ensure privacy is respected; companies should use video not just for surveillance but also shift towards allowing multiple people to access the footage instead of having it centralized with one person looking at what everyone’s doing. He believes in moving from the traditional use of video surveillance to one where everyone in an organization can access it and collaborate. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 353: Spot AI
Episode 352: Hopstack
The New Warehouse welcomes Vivek Singh, Co-Founder of Hopstack, a software platform that automates and optimizes warehouse operations. Vivek founded Hopsack to bridge the gap between legacy systems and new software for modern e-commerce businesses by creating an open digital operating system that is agile enough to accommodate omnichannel strategies. Hopstack ensures its software meets the complexity introduced via automation in fulfillment operations, such as pre-built integration capabilities for robotic hardware devices like pick-to-light devices or picking robots. Be sure to tune in to learn about software in the fulfillment space, how it’s been changing over the recent years, and how some gaps between legacy systems and new software are being closed. Key Takeaways Vivek refers to Hopstack’s software as a warehouse operating system. He explains that larger companies may employ five to six different types of software, such as a warehouse management system (WMS), Warehouse Execution System (WES), Inventory Management System (IMS), order fulfillment software, etc. This isn’t practical for small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), making a system like Hopstack that can perform all those functions in one package is ideal for SMBs. Vivek shares that companies transitioning from legacy systems into modern cloud-based solutions like Hopstack have seen 30-40% benefits in terms of efficiency, order lead times, and the number of orders fulfilled daily. Hopstack’s system allows for native connectivity with picking robots and requires less implementation time than traditional systems, taking as little as 8-10 weeks on average. Many companies are reluctant to abandon their legacy systems because they cannot afford to have their operations negatively impacted by a lengthy implementation process. Vivek believes that having a software system to run fulfillment is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a necessity to operate in today’s environment. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 352: Hopstack
Seeq recognizes its 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year
Annual partner awards, honoring excellence in delivering the next generation of process manufacturing improvements, announced at Seeq Global Partner Symposium in Las Vegas Seeq Corporation, a manufacturer and industrial internet of things advanced analytics software, announced its 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year. These partners have been selected for their excellence in providing value to customers, their continued investments in technical expertise with Seeq-certified employees and training professionals, and for creating awareness for Seeq through collaboration in marketing activities and events. Seeq advanced analytics SaaS software enables customers to rapidly find, share, and operationalize insights from process data stored on-premise or in the cloud. Seeq customers include companies in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, energy, mining, food and beverage, and other process industries. Investors in Seeq include Insight Ventures, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, Altira Group, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Cisco Investments. “In 2022, our global, diverse partner ecosystem empowered our shared customers to solve various advanced analytics use cases across process industries to support their top initiatives for sustainability, digital transformation, and workforce empowerment,” says Nikki Bishop, Chief Customer Officer, including global partnerships, at Seeq. “We are pleased to select six companies that set the standards for excellence in delivering the next generation of process manufacturing improvements as our 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year.” Resellers of the Year Americas Swan-Black is the Seeq 2022 Americas Partner of the Year. Swan-Black demonstrates consistent partner excellence with its Seeq-centric customer-success model, significant account expansions and wins, and the addition of Seeq-certified instructors to support Seeq Foundations Training in North America. Swan-Black has expertise across food and beverage, bio-nutrition, and industrial process-data infrastructure, with a focus on applying advanced analytics to improve business outcomes. Asia Pacific Nukon is the Seeq 2022 Asia Pacific Partner of the Year. As a third-year recipient of the award, Nukon doubled its Seeq business for a second consecutive year in 2022. With more than a dozen Seeq customers across food and beverage, mining, metals, and materials, utilities, and specialty manufacturing, Nukon delivers exceptional analytics support and insight across a broad spectrum of use cases. Asia Tridiagonal Solutions is the Seeq 2022 Asia Partner of the Year. Tridiagonal has played a pivotal role in supporting Seeq customers through their digital transformation journeys in Asia and throughout the world. With deep expertise in data science, advanced process control, and process manufacturing, Tridiagonal delivers a full suite of solutions and services that drive a return on investment for their customers across the process industries. EMEA IT Vizion is the Seeq 2022 EMEA Partner of the Year. IT Vizion was selected for its leadership and domain expertise in the oil and gas industry, which the company has leveraged to scale its Seeq customer base throughout 2022. Additionally, the company’s expertise and support for a variety of technologies for the oil and gas and chemicals industries led to several successful migrations of end users to Seeq. Latin America Vertix Technologies is the Seeq 2022 Latin America Partner of the Year. Vertix was selected for its commitment to growing Seeq’s presence in the LATAM region, including delivering high-quality training and implementation services to customers. The company provides a variety of digital solutions and services to support digital transformation journeys across the oil and gas, mining, pharmaceutical, and pulp and paper industries. Service Partner of the Year BKO Services LLC is the Seeq 2022 Service Partner of the Year recipient. Supporting Seeq customers such as Marathon Oil, Suncor, TexGen, and Shell, BKO’s Seeq-certified partner analytics engineers provide a customer-centric approach, including hands-on analytics engineering support, that yields consistent and valuable customer outcomes. The company provides data engineering and machine learning services for the oil and gas, power, and other process manufacturing industries. Seeq’s global growth is fueled in large part by its partnerships and commitment to cloud-based computing. Seeq is available worldwide through a global partner network of cloud service providers and system integrators, which provides training and other value-added services in addition to resale support for Seeq in over 40 countries. Global Partner Symposium The 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year were announced at the 2023 Seeq Global Partner Symposium, held in Las Vegas from January 10-12, 2023. Themed Elevate, Seeq shared Partner Network program updates to enhance partner operations and enablement, led interactive sessions on the company’s unified go-to-market strategy to further accelerate its global growth, and provided networking opportunities with partners and Seeq executive leadership. Attendees heard directly from Seeq leaders, including CEO Dr. Lisa Graham and Chief Revenue Officer George Skaryak. “Our Partner Network is a core part of the Seeq ecosystem and key to our global growth,” says Skaryak. “The Global Partner Symposium is crafted to provide the strategic direction and collaborative dialogue required to continue delivering business value to our shared customers and positioning our partners for sustained success.” Amazon Web Services, Inc. was the exclusive sponsor of the 2023 Global Partner Symposium. Seeq has been a member of the AWS Partner Network and available in the AWS marketplace since 2019. As an AWS Industrial Software, Energy, and Life Sciences Competency Partner, Seeq supports many data storage services, including Amazon Redshift and S3, plus machine learning in SageMaker, Lookout for Equipment, and others. Partner Advisory Council The event also launched the Seeq Partner Advisory Council (PAC). The PAC will bring together a distinguished and diverse group of global partners to advise on best practices to help Seeq continue to deliver the highest possible value to its partners and customers. The strategic insights gathered from the PAC will directly influence Seeq’s product direction, partner programs, and customer adoption. The Seeq PAC currently consists of seven partners nominated on their tenure and proven commitment to working with Seeq and shared customers. The PAC membership will rotate on an annual basis. The 2023 members of the Seeq Partner Advisory Council include: Werusys – Köln, Germany Vertix Technologies – Lima, Peru Swan-Black – Brookfield, Wisconsin BKO Services – Houston, Texas IT Vizion – Corona, California Tridiagonal Solutions – Pune, India and San Antonio, Texas Nukon – Melbourne, Australia
Episode 351: Powerfleet
Scott Walker, VP of Supply Chain Product Management at Powerfleet, joins The New Warehouse podcast to discuss their people-powered IoT solutions for multiple industries. They provide businesses with actionable insights that can increase safety and sustainability while making team members happier. With real-time asset visibility, route optimization, predictive service scheduling, condition monitoring, enhanced training opportunities, and more, Powerfleet makes it easier to take complete control of your material movements. Be sure to tune in to learn about people-powered IoT solutions and how you can make your warehouse safer, more efficient, and a more enjoyable place to work. Key Takeaways Scott believes that due to the combination of retirements and new job growth in the manufacturing sector, a significant gap in employment will rise over the next decade. Nearly 4 million job openings will remain unfilled unless businesses find new and innovative ways to fill these roles. With only half of those positions likely to be filled by qualified personnel, companies urgently need to adopt technology-driven solutions that can reduce time spent on tedious tasks while increasing value-added roles. The industrial environment is one of the most dangerous places besides car accidents. Powerfleet provides a much-needed element of control, aiming to increase safety practices in the workplace and giving workers more opportunities that bring personal fulfillment and optimism for the future. All these factors combined create a more positive and less stressful environment for those on the job. Powerfleet implements devices that give them immediate feedback to acknowledge material handling equipment like forklifts are safe to operate. If something is wrong, it triggers an alert to notify maintenance to come and make sure it’s safe. The latest technologies integrate a pedestrian warning system to enhance their ability to predict whether or not there’s about to be an incident. If employees operate the equipment unsafely, like going too fast around this corner or bumping into something, it seems too rough for what we expect. Powerfleet’s technologies use artificial intelligence via a video panel that scans areas in the direction of travel 30 to 50 times a second. The AI-based system also allows companies to identify unsafe areas or drivers who may need extra coaching, making it easier for managers to take corrective action before an incident occurs. Scott believes Powerfleet’s success lies in its ability to create scalable solutions across a wide range of equipment. They’ve been able to install their technology on all types and models, regardless of the make or model year. They also have custom mounting solutions to fit each vehicle type and make installation easier. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 351: Powerfleet
Episode 349: Fulfillment IQ
The New Warehouse welcomes fellow podcasters Dan Coll and Ninaad Acharya to the show to discuss their backgrounds and how they came together to start Fulfillment IQ. Ninaad is the co-founder and CEO, and Dan is a Partner at Fulfillment IQ, a global organization with teammates in India, Canada, and the US dedicated to helping solve unique problems within the field of fulfillment logistics. In addition to development, implementation, and advisory services, they provide marketing services such as website building, SEO optimization, and social media strategy. Be sure to tune in to this incredibly insightful episode, where they discuss everything from the next disruption, emerging technology, the secret sauce, and their eCom Logistics Podcast. Key Takeaways Dan jokes that clients either bring them in to assist with strategic initiatives or because the warehouse is on fire (not literally). He adds Fulfillment IQ provides consulting services to help identify the root causes of problems, bespoke product development, and implementation of existing solutions. They also offer Fulfillment IQ in a Box, a SaaS-based product offering that helps brands solve fulfillment-related problems. Ninaad shares that if businesses aren’t thinking about implementing automation, they should at least be educating themselves about it. Ninaad’s statement emphasizes the advantages of robotic automation, particularly in North America, where labor is challenging. Automation offers enormous savings potential, with returns on investment for transitioning from manual to automated warehouses sometimes being less than one year. This technology has gone through a maturity cycle and is now entering a period of enlightenment, wherein it becomes increasingly stable and accessible. With all these factors combined, this is an exciting time for businesses to explore and invest in robotic automation. They both heard the same problems in the industry and felt they could help warehouses and distribution centers achieve quick wins. They noticed the warehouse ecosystem was changing due to e-commerce, with automation and robotics becoming popular. Ninaad points out there was also an underlying gap in the industry around operational excellence within distribution and fulfillment centers. Fulfillment IQ’s niche lies within the e-commerce space, where they specialize in helping small to mid-sized businesses grow through every phase of their company’s lifecycle with tailored solutions for each problem presented. Dan and Ninaad started the eCom Logistics Podcast last year with a mission to talk to leaders, innovators, and disruptors in the fulfillment space. Listeners can expect conversations that go deep into topics related to warehouse operations and industry trends, as well as interviews with individuals within the field of fulfillment logistics. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 349: Fulfillment IQ
Tompkins Solutions names Billy Carter Vice President of Sales
Tompkins Solutions, a supply chain consulting and material handling integration firm, today announced that Billy Carter has joined the company as vice president of sales. In this role, Carter will be responsible for delivering systemic solutions to help clients overcome their complex supply chain challenges. Carter has more than two decades of industrial engineering and logistics experience, with a proven track record of developing and implementing leading supply chain solutions for e-commerce fulfillment and retail distribution operations. Prior to joining Tompkins, Carter served as vice president of technical sales for Fortna, and held senior industrial engineering management positions with Kohl’s and H-E-B. “We are excited to welcome Billy to the Tompkins team,” said David Latona, CEO of Tompkins Solutions. “His demonstrated success and combination of experience on both the supply chain consulting side and the client side will make him an invaluable asset to our organization and help ensure our clients continue to receive the best possible solutions for their unique needs.”
Episode 348: Fernish and Supply Chain Circularity
The New Warehouse podcast is excited to welcome Kristin Toth, the president and COO of Fernish. Fernish is a unique furniture rental service redefining the industry’s sustainability standards. They offer fast delivery and high-touch service, like putting everything together for customers and flexibility to swap things out or buy them outright if they fall in love with pieces. By leveraging a circular supply chain, they provide value for their customers with quality, convenience, and affordability. Kristin and Kevin discuss how Fernish came to be and how they are capitalizing on the opportunities in the business of furniture and home decor. You won’t want to miss this episode and Kristen’s career advice for anyone interested in pursuing a career in operations. Key Takeaways Like many of us, Kristin didn’t plan on a career in supply chain and logistics. After being interested in multiple fields, such as music, math, writing, etc., while studying at university, she developed a passion for e-commerce and technology. She felt the field opened up a world of opportunities to improve decision-making processes, such as creating more efficient, faster, more consistent, and more optimal solutions. This passion motivated her to build innovative solutions that could change how we process decisions. Throughout this journey, she found great joy in exploring and utilizing technology to discover new ways to solve complex problems. Kristin shares how they need to consider durability and the availability of parts for refurbishment when selecting what products they add to the Fernish catalog. Refurbishment requires skilled labor who understand materials and processes for restoring items like new again. The operations process is more complex than traditional companies due to used products coming back from customers that need inspection and quarantine before being restored. When researching other WMS solutions, the team at Fernish found they could only get them 20% of where they needed to be. Kristin explains how they never planned on building everything on their own, but this type of business’s complexities led them to develop their own WMS. She adds that creating a home-grown solution has unlocked valuable insights and data they wouldn’t have been able to find in other systems. Kristin discusses how Fernish plans the purchasing of new products with the uncertainty that goes along with utilizing customer returns. She jokes, like most forecasts, they are wrong, but as they learn, they are getting better and better at managing supply and demand. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 348: Fernish and Supply Chain Circularity
How VRCs are giving dealerships and its vehicles a lift
VRCs help maximize existing space, while also costing less than dealership expansion It’s no surprise that constructing a new dealership is an expensive endeavor. From purchasing the land, material prices, equipment expenses, architectural fees, labor to get the build completed, and planning for any cost overruns that may occur, that dealership comes with a hefty sticker price before the door is open for business. However, one area of design that does offer tangible cost savings is selecting a material lift instead of an elevator. More new dealerships are opting for this route, as a material lift, otherwise known as a vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) can take as much as 75% less to install versus a personnel elevator. For dealerships with a second or third floor, a VRC is a must to vehicles and parts. The VRC Value Transporting vehicles, not to mention bulky parts, back and forth to elevated levels can be a time-consuming task, not to mention a cumbersome safety hazard for employees that could lead to injury and costly worker’s compensation claims. That’s where VRCs prove their worth. VRCs are a cost-effective, safe, and easy way to move vehicles and parts from one level to another. When it comes to parts, they are safer than using manpower or a forklift, and less costly to operate and maintain than elevators. In fact, the total cost of VRC ownership can be up to three times less than an elevator and can be installed in a fraction of the time. VRC Installation Recently, Custom Industrial Products (CIP) completed another successful VRC installation at a Florida-based luxury automotive dealership that opened in 2022. One of the first steps to engineering the right VRC for the job is communicating with the architectural firm and general contractor to understand the overall scope of the application. This involves learning the weights and dimensions of vehicles that will be moved, the available space for the VRC, and other related information. For this application, the VRC was an FP Series, Four-Post Lift that had a dual purpose: carrying vehicles up to the third floor for display, while also moving parts such as bumpers, tires, engines, pallets, and other items to the second-floor storage area. The FP Series is designed for moving larger, heavier loads up to 30,000 pounds, enabling it to easily carry a vehicle. This VRC comes with a carriage size of up to 30’ x 30’ and a travel height of up to 60’. The Case for VRCs When it comes to the expansion of existing dealerships, it’s becoming more commonplace for businesses to look up rather than out. The reason is simple: cost. A general rule is that it’s always going to be more expensive to expand the footprint of an existing facility. Even if you own the land, expansion means architectural costs, expenses related to pouring slabs of concrete, building materials, a longer timeframe to complete the expansion, along with numerous other costs. For many dealerships, newfound space can be created through a VRC and mezzanine. Often, these two items can be designed and installed in a matter of weeks at a fraction of the cost of new construction. They are engineered to meet industry standards for local, state, and national building codes, and are custom-built to a customer’s exact specifications for optimal performance and functionality. Moving items with a VRC is much more efficient and safer than having employees carry parts upstairs or using a forklift to hoist pallets to a second floor. Forklifts require a certified driver, at least one spotter during use, and another person on the second floor to lift the gate and receive the pallet. VRCs are more economical to operate and demonstrate a strong ROI in short order. When vehicles need a lift or space becomes an issue, remember, don’t look out for answers – look up.
Hy-Tek Intralogistics acquires Winchester Industrial Controls
Hy-Tek Holdings (Hy-Tek), a portfolio company of Dunes Point Capital, LP (DPC), has acquired Winchester Industrial Controls LLC (“Winchester”). Winchester, located in Bristol, CT, is a provider of control systems and installation for automated material handling systems. Hy-Tek, doing business as Hy-Tek Intralogistics, is a material handling automation integrator serving clients in diverse end-markets and applications, including eCommerce, third-party logistics, and parcel. The acquisition was announced by Hy-Tek’s CEO, Sam Grooms. “Hy-Tek’s acquisition of Winchester Controls broadens our offerings as the predominant player in material handling. With the addition of Winchester Industrial Controls’ highly experienced team, Hy-Tek further enhances its ability to execute concurrent large-scale projects in support of our enterprise logistics platform, ” said Grooms.
WERC announces Distribution Logistics Fundamentals course
The Warehousing Education & Research Council (WERC) announces the availability of a new warehousing e-learning course, called Distribution Logistics Fundamentals. The Distribution Logistics Fundamentals course will introduce different types of facilities, functions, and roles within the warehouse or distribution center, future trends, and the role of warehousing within the greater supply chain. Topics covered include: Introduction to material handling and distribution logistics and warehousing operations Inventory management and fulfillment best practices Benefits and types of Warehouse Management Systems Warehouse layout and design Key roles within a warehouse/distribution center Leading industry trends impacting warehouses/distribution centers Once the participant has completed this course, they will be issued a certificate and digital badge to display on their LinkedIn profiles and email signature. This course is the first in a series of six learning modules leading to a WERC certificate for warehousing education. Click here to learn more about and sign up for the WERC Distribution Logistics Fundamentals course. Contact Rebecca Woods for questions regarding this course.
Episode 346: Orchestrating Warehouses with Fulfilld
The New Warehouse welcomes Tony Ingham, Product Owner at Fulfilld, for our first podcast of 2023. Fulfilld is a leading warehouse management services provider for mid-level, $200 million, and above markets. Their software as a service platform provides customers with an efficient and cost-effective way to manage their warehouse operations. Tune in to hear all about how Fulfilld is looking at the entire warehouse ecosystem to help employees and the overall orchestration of warehouse operations. Key Takeaways Tony explains how Fulfilld focuses on ease of use, ease of adoption, speed of deployment, and agile methodologies in everything they do. They utilize machine learning models and artificial intelligence to apply to everyday business needs within a warehouse to bring the best of both worlds from execution and management. As Warehouse Management Systems get more complex over time, the more you ask them to do, the more it increases implementation time. Fulfilld is trying to provide the ability for warehouses to scale up and scale down machine learning and AI to speed up adoption and allow them to tackle easier processes. This flexibility is critical for warehouses as it breaks down the barrier of lengthy implementations and enables users to grow with the system. Fulfilld can sit on top of an existing ERP or warehouse solution. Tony feels this provides a better user experience by either operating as the front end of an ERP or as a mobile solution for warehouse operations. The varying levels of vendor evaluation required when adopting a warehouse management system is one of the reasons Fulfilld developed handheld devices. Fulfilld shows that by providing a “one-stop shop,” the customer is up and running quickly. The handheld device uses digital twin technology to give employees real-time location awareness and turn-by-turn directions. Data from handheld devices to optimize various tasks in the warehouse, including pick paths, putaway paths, and travel time. That real-time location data becomes invaluable for providing data points ingested by machine learning and AI models to develop the optimal pick path. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 346: Fulfilld
PeakLogix welcomes Pat Peplowski as VP of Business Development
PeakLogix announced that Pat Peplowski has joined the company as VP of Business Development. Peplowski is a data-driven leader who has spent his 30-year career profitably growing and scaling companies operating in B2B markets. The material handling market has been on a significant rise, bringing an abundance of companies seeking expedited solutions for managing inventory, increasing operational efficiencies, and driving profitability. Peplowski carries a deep level of expertise in business development and client relationship management. Peplowski’s career began in various front-line and mid-level management roles, gaining him valuable hands-on experience within the manufacturing, distribution, and material handling industries. Before joining PeakLogix, Peplowski was with Heartland Steel Products for over 11 years, first as their VP of Sales and later as CEO/President. He played a significant role in re-establishing the company in the marketplace, spearheading the business’s development and client management, and implementing effective growth strategies and processes. Prior to that, he managed the sales group of Interlake Mecalux, Inc. for over a decade. Peplowski earned an MBA from Wayne State University and a BA from Michigan State University, is a Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) and Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO®), and holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt 2.0. “PeakLogix’s advanced ability to develop data-driven, tailored solutions for our client’s specific needs is seemingly unmatched in the industry, and I’m excited to join the company as it’s increasing market share and expanding its suite of innovative solutions,” said Peplowski. “As the product suite becomes more software-driven, my technical background brings a unique lens to how we engage our clients and solve their immediate and long-term distribution and facilities challenges,” he added. “Pat brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to PeakLogix, not only in the industry but in building teams and scaling businesses,” said Robert Giberson, President of PeakLogix. He added, “We are excited to have him step into such an important role for the company. His seasoned leadership skills and customer-centric mindset will be crucial to our team’s success.” Peplowski’s position with PeakLogix began in October 2022.
Carlisle Companies announces commitment to achieve Net-Zero GHG Emissions by 2050
Carlisle Companies Incorporated has announced a commitment to achieve Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2050. Carlisle has proposed near-term greenhouse gas reduction targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Setting near-term targets are the first step to setting a long-term net-zero target with SBTi. The methods and reduction scenarios Carlisle has adopted in the near-term targets are aligned with the SBTi Net-Zero Standard. The SBTi is a partnership among the Carbon Disclosure Project, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature. It focuses on partnering with companies to help guide emission reduction initiatives using science-based targets. Chris Koch, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our announcement today of Carlisle’s commitment to achieving Net-Zero by 2050 is another significant milestone on our ESG journey. We understand the path to Net-Zero cannot happen overnight, requires substantial effort from our supply chain partners, and will also depend on significant changes to global energy infrastructure. We continue our commitment to being a responsible environmental stakeholder, as we have for over 100 years, by delivering products that improve the energy efficiency of buildings while reducing emissions from our manufacturing facilities and reducing the volume of construction materials in landfills. With Carlisle’s employees engaged and momentum growing, we are confident Carlisle can make a meaningful contribution to creating a more sustainable future for us all.”
Episode 343: Newcastle Systems
This week’s episode of The New Warehouse brings you John O’Kelly, President and Founder of Newcastle Systems. Newcastle Systems provides innovative solutions for efficiency improvement in warehouse and distribution environments through mobile power, which enables people to move their computers, printers, scanners, and tablets around the warehouse. The New Warehouse uses the carts in our micro fulfillment center, and we love them. So be sure to tune in to learn about Newcastle Systems, including a recent award they won. Key Takeaways John founded Newcastle Systems in 2005 after taking an entrepreneurship class at Harvard Extension and saw a need for mobility solutions in warehouses and distribution centers. Newcastle has grown significantly since its inception, expanding from one product series to six different products catering to various applications, such as cold storage facilities or quality control carts. John and Kevin discuss how mobile workstations for warehouse workers can dramatically reduce a tremendous amount of unnecessary walking. With larger storage capacity than an individual worker could otherwise carry, these carts can significantly reduce the trips needed to bring products from one place to another. By providing efficient and ergonomic support to transport items with speed, such solutions help cut down the time spent fetching goods from one area to another. Lean is a continuous journey that requires constant effort and improvement; it is one of Newcastle’s core values. Newcastle has adopted lean principles across the entire company, which John believes has profoundly affected operations. John shares some of the more creative ways customers have modified Newcastle Systems carts to improve upon the base product, such as adding an extension. Many of Newcastle’s new products come from customer ideas which help Newcastle achieve its goal of introducing two new products each year. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 343: Newcastle Systems