AutoScheduler secures $6.5M funding from Noro-Moseley Partners
Investment to speed technology advancement and accelerate growth AutoScheduler.AI, an innovative Warehouse Orchestration Platform, and WMS accelerator announces a $6.5M first round of funding from Noro-Moseley Partners, an early growth equity firm based in Atlanta, GA, to continue growing and expanding the company and its technologies. Before this round, AutoScheduler was privately funded, growing rapidly and profitably. “We believe that now is the time for AutoScheduler to stake its claim as the leader of the warehouse orchestration space,” says Vasant Kamath, General Partner, Noro-Moseley. “Warehouses are undergoing a seismic shift in the industry and are at the forefront of supply chain transformation. With the right innovative tools in place, warehouses and supply chain leaders can unlock major efficiencies and improve customer satisfaction. AutoScheduler’s AutoPilot and AutoPilot Central are the tools to do just that.” Mr. Kamath will join the Board of AutoScheduler as part of the transaction. “Warehouse environments are constantly changing with fluctuating inventory levels, customer demands, and workforce availability, needing meticulous orchestration to meet customer service levels,” says Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI. “We believe the industry is at the cusp of innovation with our warehouse orchestration solutions, and we plan to expand on these technologies to deliver unparalleled results for customers’ bottom lines.” AutoScheduler intends to use the funds to enhance its AI-enabled warehouse orchestration solutions, which sit on top of a WMS, to optimize decision-making and deliver on time and in full fulfillment. In addition, AutoScheduler will expand its reach through strategic marketing and partnerships. It plans to grow the team, enhance the leadership team, and bring more products to market that leverage AI to enhance clients’ success. Recently, AutoScheduler introduced AutoPilot Central, which provides a bird’s-eye view of multi-site data for centralized command and control of an entire distributed warehouse network. Executives can better identify potential issues within the network, determine which shipments are at risk, and act before an issue occurs. AutoScheduler’s solutions benefit food, beverage, retail, and CPG firms by: Offering Dynamic Operations: AutoScheduler’s solutions offer real-time, dynamic warehouse orchestration that continuously optimizes operations, setting it apart from traditional, static WMS (Warehouse Management System) solutions. The platform adapts to changing conditions within the warehouse, ensuring the optimal use of labor, resources, and space. Planning for Tomorrow: AutoScheduler’s solutions go beyond managing the current execution window to predict future bottlenecks and issues, allowing businesses to take proactive measures to ensure smooth operations and prevent disruptions. Offering Full-Scale Visibility: AutoScheduler’s products provide detailed, real-time operational visibility and data streams that consolidate all necessary information into a single view for a clearer, comprehensive overview of all warehouse activities. Excelling in complex environments: The platform handles dynamic and chaotic environments, making it perfect for businesses with fluctuating demands and high operational complexity. “Companies that use AutoScheduler to orchestrate warehouse operations, such as PepsiCo, will be viewed as innovators and will help to shape the future of how we manage the distribution landscape,” adds Moore.
The New Warehouse goes LIVE on LinkedIn today discussing The Warehouse Revolution
The New Warehouse, with host Kevin Lawton, will host a special LIVE LinkedIn podcast with the authors of The Warehouse Revolution—Automate or Terminate at noon EST. Kevin will be joined by authors Miquel Pinilla, Jim Stollberg, and Pete Devenyi. To join, click this link or the image below to take you to the LinkedIn event. We will go live at noon EST, so just hit the join button, and you can listen in. Have questions? Please reply to this email address or raise your hand in the event and ask them yourself.
Freightmate Ai exits stealth mode with pre-seed funding and new tech
Company launches first automated tool for document management Freightmate Ai announced that it has secured a pre-seed funding round led by Wischoff Ventures and is releasing its first automated solution. The funds will enhance the features of its freight forwarding management system, which was developed by technology experts with experience from Geodis, Manhattan Associates, Amazon Global Logistics, and Flexport. “Freight forwarders coordinate global shipments from end to end from origin country to destination country, leveraging decades-old software with zero task automation, no real-time communication, with a very limited UX,” said Nichole Wischoff, founder and general partner at Wischoff Ventures. “While extremely audacious, a next-gen-AI-powered freight management system can drive higher margins, decrease headcount, improve visibility and tracking, and universally make freight forwarders far more competitive.” “Most startups are focused on solving for a tiny sliver of the larger problem. Freightmate Ai is tackling a rebuilding of legacy infrastructure that is powering one of the biggest drivers of our global economy. I am excited to back Bryan [Lacaillade], Jason [Zhao], and Rishab [Gadroo], who have spent years of their lives solving several parts of this larger problem,” she said in the release. Co-founders Lacaillade, chief executive officer; Zhao, chief operating officer; and Gadroo, chief technology officer, found that throughout their industry experience, they continued to see freight forwarders faltering on their technology journey. “We found there were two paths for freight forwarders,” Lacaillade told FreightWaves. “One is they build their own in-house systems, which are typically super simple, usually basically an Excel spreadsheet with functions. Or they invest in one of several key enterprise solutions that were founded in the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s.” He said regardless of which path they took, very little, if any, automation existed in their workflows. “There are no AI capabilities because the architectures are so antiquated they can’t integrate AI effectively. There are no real-time collaboration tools, and there is no data analytics to measure operational, team, or user performance,” he explained. While some traditional freight management systems can integrate updated technology, this often comes at an additional cost. Lacaillade believes those integrations are just a Band-Aid, leading to more significant investments in added technology and the staff to help support those integrations. Freightmate Ai just emerged from stealth mode with the June 27th announcement and is still in the early stages of building its fully automated system. Along with securing its funding, the company is launching a beta version of its first solution: an automated documentation system. This system leverages email scraping, document classification, transcription, and cross-document data validation to manage over 30 trade-related documents that freight forwarders handle for each shipment. “This is a huge pain point that we are looking to solve first with our service, and it’s a stepping stone towards our long-term commitment of providing better solutions,” said Lacaillade.
Episode 497: Scaling new heights with Plus One Robotics
In the latest episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Erik Nieves, CEO of Plus One Robotics. The company, known for integrating advanced robotics into warehouse operations, recently surpassed a significant milestone of one billion picks, marking a major achievement in warehouse automation. Tune in and hear how Plus One Robotics is addressing labor shortages and enhancing warehouse operations with its groundbreaking robotics and AI technology. Bridging the Technology Gap in Warehouses Erik Nieves founded Plus One Robotics to address a crucial gap in warehouse automation. He notes, “The warehouse was going to be the next major vertical to adopt industrial robotics at scale.” Despite the potential, Erik cites a technological gap in vision software and grasping capabilities hindered widespread adoption. Plus One Robotics focuses on solving this problem by developing advanced perception software, enabling robots to handle the variability inherent in warehouse operations. “It’s not a robot arm problem. It’s a perception and grasping problem,” Nieves emphasizes, highlighting the company’s innovative approach. Adapting to Labor Shortages with AI and Robotics The labor shortage in logistics is a pressing issue, and Plus One Robotics leverages AI and robotics to mitigate this challenge. Nieves advises warehouse operators, “If you can get the labor you need to meet your volumes and your cutoff windows, please do. Because there is no more flexible, adaptable resource than people.” However, when labor is scarce, automation becomes essential. Erik introduces new solutions from Plus One Robotics, including the InductOne system and depalletizing solution, which were built to enhance throughput and efficiency. The Human Touch in AI-Driven Automation Despite advancements in AI, Nieves underscores the importance of human intervention in maintaining system reliability. Plus One Robotics employs a “human-in-the-loop” approach, where remote supervision ensures minimal downtime. “The interval from the time it said, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing,’ till it’s running again is always under 10 seconds,” Nieves explains. This approach not only boosts system uptime but also alleviates concerns of complete reliance on AI, making automation more acceptable to warehouse operators. Key Takeaways from Plus One Robotics Plus One Robotics is addressing crucial gaps in warehouse automation with a focus on vision software and grasping technologies. Achieving over one billion picks demonstrates their technology’s effectiveness and scalability. The potential for robotic automation in logistics continues to grow, promising significant advancements in efficiency and capability. The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 497: Scaling New Heights with Plus One Robotics
Zion Solutions Group joins forces with Locus Robotics to supercharge warehouse productivity
In a groundbreaking move set to enhance and redefine warehouse operations, Zion Solutions Group has announced its strategic partnership with Locus Robotics. This collaboration leverages the Locus Global Alliance Network, a consortium of the warehouse industry’s best and brightest, dedicated to propelling productivity and transforming supply chains with innovative robotics, service, and software solutions. “Embarking on this partnership with Locus Robotics is a leap forward in our mission to innovate and optimize warehouse operations for our customers,” said Jim Shaw, President of Zion Solutions Group. “Locus Robotics stands out in the realm of warehouse automation. Their solutions fit into any warehouse environment, and together, we aim to deliver seamless, scalable, and rapidly valuable solutions to our customers.” This partnership represents a synergy of Zion Solutions Group’s extensive expertise in supply chain integration and Locus Robotics’ pioneering AI-driven robotic solutions. It signals a unified approach to tackling today’s logistics challenges, offering clients a robust, affordable, intuitive robotic warehouse automation solution that enhances productivity, reduces costs, and scales effortlessly. “The Locus Global Alliance Network thrives on collaboration with leaders like Zion Solutions Group to push the boundaries of what’s possible in supply chain management,” stated Steve Simmerman, Head of Global Alliances. “Our combined efforts will ensure clients benefit from a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that is not just easy to integrate but is also designed for maximum productivity gains from the outset. We couldn’t be more excited about partnering with a System Integrator with Zion’s reputation for solving problems in the industry.” Zion Solutions Group’s partnership with Locus Robotics underscores a shared commitment to delivering field-proven results and addressing the dynamic needs of the robotic market. This collaboration is poised to revolutionize warehouse operations by providing: Expert Integration: Seamlessly blending Locus’s AI-driven robotics with Zion’s unique supply chain solutions. Scalable Solutions: Tailored to fit any environment and grow alongside business needs. Immediate Value: Delivering significant productivity gains and cost reductions from day one. As this partnership unfolds, Zion Solutions Group and Locus Robotics are not just reimagining warehouse operations; they’re setting the stage for the future of logistics.
NetLogistik introduces Transportation Efficiency and Productivity (TEP) and Warehouse Efficiency and Productivity (WEP)
Easy-to-use tools help companies with less complex and smaller operations NetLogistik, a provider of transformative services for supply chain digitalization, introduces new functionality as part of its Supplynet Suite®, NetLogistik’s microservices and digital supply chain solutions platform. Transportation Efficiency and Productivity (TEP) seamlessly syncs the entire transportation management process, from planning and tracking to freight settlement. Warehouse Efficiency and Productivity (WEP) optimizes, automates, measures, and controls warehouse and distribution center operations. “NetLogistik offers these products to our small-to-medium sized businesses that want transportation and warehouse management functionality but don’t need all the features of enterprise-sized solutions,” says Jagan Reddy, US Managing Director, NetLogistik. “These easy-to-use tools work best for companies with smaller and simpler operations.” TEP optimizes the efficiency and accuracy of transportation operations with complete visibility into orders, shipments, and deliveries—while building stronger relationships with suppliers, carriers, and customers through reliable, on-time performance. Businesses that have utilized Netlogistik’s TEP solution have achieved impressive results, including: Up to 33% reduction in administration times Up to 5% savings in total transportation costs Up to 50% improvement in customer service TEP maximizes order management, shipment planning, transport selection, documentation management, route monitoring, and shipment costs. It can integrate with partner FarEye, an intelligent delivery management platform that increases the visibility of multimodal, long-haul, first-mile, and last-mile deliveries. Onest Logistics Principal CEO and Founder, Rubén Imán says, “TEP Sets us apart from the competition. It’s a strategic tool that saves us 4% on transportation.” WEP facilitates all processes within a warehouse, from assigning appointments to shipping. It offers appointment scheduling, receiving operations, wave planning, picking operations, packstation management, and shipping operations. WEP integrates with the Vocollect® voice-directed work solution, Honeywell® Voice, and the GAINS® Demand Planning System for additional functionality. Clients using WEP can: Increase inventory accuracy Boost operator productivity Optimize storage capacity Visualize real-time information Improve customer service Farmapronto Project Director says, “Due to the demand and growth we were experiencing, expiration and assortment problems were developing. NetLogistik’s (WEP) Warehouse Management System helped us increase productivity and reduce operating expenses—in addition to making our assortments more efficient. Through this, we were able to achieve a satisfactory delivery to our branches, increasing our sales by 40%.”
Episode 495: End-to-end supply chain innovation with Maersk
This episode of The New Warehouse Podcast broadcasts live from the Maersk Podcast Studio at Manifest. Erez Agmoni, Global Head of Innovation for Logistics and Services (L&S) at Maersk, and Kevin discuss innovation within the supply chain. Known globally for its ocean freight services, Maersk has undergone significant transformation over the last five years to become an end-to-end logistics integrator. Erez discusses Maersk’s journey in reducing supply chain friction, its structured approach to innovation, and the collaborative ecosystem it has built to drive these advancements. Maersk’s Evolution Over the Last Five Years Over the past five years, Maersk has transitioned from a company primarily known for ocean freight to an end-to-end logistics integrator. Erez explains this role “is really to support our customers on the journey to improve their supply chains and ensure that they have less friction in moving their goods.” To achieve this, Maersk has expanded its services to include: Air freight Warehousing Trucking Customs Brokerage Supply chain management Maersk is working with MIT to develop dynamic routing to improve supply chains and reduce disruptions. Instead of having customers direct the movement of goods, this system finds the best route based on real-time conditions. Traditional methods can cause delays and missed deadlines, but as Erez Agmoni explains, “We are actually trying to help them(customers) find the best route, keep the price reasonable, and make sure that you can hit the transit time again and again. So we need all of this to orchestrate together to make it happen.” How Supply Chain Innovation Works at Maersk Innovation at Maersk is structured around three main pillars, ensuring a systematic and repeatable approach. Erez outlines these pillars: Robotics Automation: Enhancing warehouse and trucking operations with robotics and autonomous solutions. “Ensuring that the flow of the goods is being done in a much more optimized way,” says Erez. Digital Innovation: Utilizing AI, machine learning, digital twins, and computer vision to optimize logistics operations. “That’s the buzziest pillar right there,” Erez notes. Product Innovation: Developing new solutions tailored to customer needs, integrating advancements from the first two pillars. Erez explains, “It’s really to create certain elements that our customers can really improve the supply chains.” Maersk collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders to foster innovation. Key partnerships include: Customers: Co-creating and testing solutions in real business environments. Academic Institutions: Collaborating with universities like MIT to develop advanced logistics solutions. Government: Learning from regulations and promoting collaborative ecosystems. Venture Capital and Startups: Leveraging external innovations to enhance Maersk’s capabilities. “Trying to avoid, unless it’s really necessary to build it inside, we’re trying to go outside,” says Erez. “We’re not trying to just live in a bubble and create things ourselves,” Erez explains, as these partnerships enable Maersk to integrate diverse expertise and stay agile. Engaging with Startups for Innovative Supply Chain Solutions Maersk actively engages with startups to implement innovative solutions, focusing on problem-solving capabilities. Erez emphasizes, “Before we evaluate the startup per se, we evaluate if their solution fits the problem we’re trying to solve.” The engagement process includes: Evaluating Fit: Ensuring the startup’s solution aligns with Maersk’s priorities. Proof of Concept: Testing solutions in live environments to validate their effectiveness. Scaling Successful Solutions: Expanding and integrating successful innovations into Maersk’s operations. Erez encourages startups to be honest about their capabilities because it’s so difficult to regain trust later on. For instance, he mentions, “If you believe you will be able to do it in a year, just say that,” and advises having an open discussion about capabilities and scope. Key Takeaways on Supply Chain Innovation End-to-End Integration: Maersk has evolved to provide comprehensive logistics solutions beyond ocean freight. Structured Innovation: Focused on robotics automation, digital innovation, and product innovation to enhance supply chain efficiency. Collaborative Ecosystem: Partnerships with universities, governments, and startups to drive innovation. Purposeful Startup Engagement: Evaluating startups based on problem-solving capabilities and running real-world trials The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 495: End-to-end supply chain innovation with Maersk https://youtu.be/IdL8En3zHdU
Dematic names Michael Oren Senior Vice President of Sales for the Americas region
Oren to drive strategic sales efforts for Dematic Americas with two decades of leadership experience Further strengthening America’s leadership team, Dematic names Michael Oren as senior vice president of sales for the Americas region. Oren will join Dematic at the company’s Americas headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan to lead a sales team of roughly 95 professionals. In this role, he will be responsible for the development of the sales strategy, including nurturing and retaining accounts, driving company growth initiatives, and building relationships with strategic partners. “Michael brings more than two decades of expertise in leading and scaling teams, driving sales, and fostering organizational excellence,” says Mike Larsson, president, Dematic and KION Group executive board member. “Michael’s deep understanding of customer needs is reflected in his dedication to innovation and improvement. Under his leadership, I am confident that our Americas sales team will continue to enhance our customer-centric culture.” Oren joins Dematic from Xerox where he recently served as vice president of global services. In this role, Oren oversaw global software and services, strategy, business development, partnerships, and more. Throughout his 20-year tenure at Xerox, Oren held several additional leadership positions, including U.S. vice president enterprise services, vice president of global sales, and vice president of central and eastern U.S. sales. “Dematic’s innovative approach to addressing supply chain challenges makes this an incredible time to join the team,” says Oren. “With clients at the forefront of everything Dematic does, I am eager to harness our team’s collective strengths to achieve continued success on behalf of our clients.” Oren completed executive master’s courses at the University of Navarra, Harvard Business School, and Stanford University, and he received his bachelor’s degree in marketing and social psychology from Miami University in Ohio.
Swisslog announces new Americas region headquarters in Atlanta
Swisslog, a provider of best-in-class warehouse automation and software, has announced it is opening a new Americas region headquarters in Atlanta. The new headquarters will accommodate continued growth and further extend the company’s market position in North America. Located in the northern suburb of Dunwoody, the new location will serve as the Swisslog regional headquarters for the Americas, strengthening the company’s footprint. This includes its facilities in Virginia, Ohio, and Mexico, as well as field service engineers throughout the U.S. “We are thrilled to welcome Swisslog to Dunwoody and Perimeter,” said Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch. “Dunwoody’s skilled workforce and our central location in Metro Atlanta make us an ideal home for an expanding international company. Dunwoody will benefit from a new corporate partner as part of our growing logistics ecosystem.” This is just the latest action the company has taken to build on the momentum it is seeing in the Americas region for automation solutions that deliver real results for customers. It began with announcing Sean Wallingford as the company’s new president and CEO of Swisslog Americas, which has led to a more energized, customer-focused leadership team that is identifying growth opportunities. “Atlanta has become a leading global center for the supply chain, home to distribution centers, offices, and headquarters of some of the largest companies in the supply chain industry. Dunwoody enjoys a prime location at the center of Atlanta’s central perimeter business district and it offers great access to the airport. As we continue to expand our customer base and portfolio, this new headquarters will better position us to capture additional growth opportunities, bring further innovation to the region, and enable us to recruit the best supply chain, software and engineering talent we need to maintain and enhance the level of support we provide our customers,” said Wallingford. Swisslog’s best-in-class robotics solutions and software include its Vectura pallet stacker cranes, PowerStore high-density shuttle system, CycloneCarrier shuttle system, ACPaQ automated mixed case palletizer, AutoStore and SynQ management software. Swisslog automation experts work closely with customers to determine which solution best fits their facility constraints, operational needs and business objectives. Swisslog was one of the first integrators to work with AutoStore and has since become the largest and most experienced integrator of complex AutoStore solutions with more than 400 AutoStore projects in over 26 countries. The company also has a robust, 24/7 customer support network available to its North American customers, including service technicians strategically located across the region, to help ensure the automation solutions help them meet their business objectives. This includes over 50 field resources and over 100 full-time help desk resources. It also includes Swisslog’s IT Managed Services, which puts in place experts to proactively manage the IT systems and software required to keep the equipment running at peak performance. Swisslog has been at the forefront of technological innovation for the American logistics industry since the company acquired Munck Automation Technologies in 1998.
CSCMP 2024 State of Logistics Report® shows how Logisticians are adapting to permanent supply chain volatility
Supply chains are investing in technologies to accelerate resilience, agility, and flexibility to better navigate current and future disruption The 2024 State of Logistics Report was unveiled at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. today, with the 35th annual publication finding that U.S. supply chains pressured by global economic volatility — including inflation, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts — are enhancing their capabilities by investing in supply chain technologies to accelerate resilience, agility, and flexibility to navigate current and future disruption. Produced annually for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) by global consulting firm Kearney and presented by leading third-party supply chain provider Penske Logistics, the annual report offers a snapshot of the American economy via the lens of the logistics sector and its role in overall supply chains. The report is a comprehensive compilation of leading logistics intelligence from around the world and shines a spotlight on industry trends and key insights on ever-evolving supply chains across a number of sectors. The report found that uncertainty is now a near constant in the global economy and that the smartest way to respond to steady times is to rekindle strategic projects and gather resources to improve resilience. The global economy is expected to experience sluggish 2.5% growth across 2024, which would represent the slowest half-decade of output in 30 years. Demand has not yet fully recovered, with myriad forces at play, and new growth engines will need traction before the tide turns. Report highlights include: A notable report statistic, U.S. business logistics costs, is $2.3 trillion, which translates to 8.7% of the national GDP. As a result of the economic headwinds and geopolitical instability, the continued fragmentation of global trade is complicating supply chain transactions. There were over 1,000 U.S. freight brokers that shuttered their doors since the 2023 report was released. Carriers have been plagued by high operating costs, while lackluster demand, and the capacity glut, have made it hard for them to charge the kinds of rates that would allow them to sustain rates and protect their margins. Investments in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, end-to-end visibility, and advanced automation are expected to drive competitive advantage and greater resilience to future disruption in the logistics sector. Major global corporations have adopted rigorous environmental goals. Further government funding programs have been launched to encourage decarbonization initiatives, which indicate progress in both the public and private sector, toward higher levels of sustainability. CSCMP President and CEO Mark Baxa brought the significance of the research to the fore: “I believe CSCMP creates the very finest and most comprehensive unbiased research with ready access to solutions supply chain leaders seek. After reading the report cover-to-cover, I encourage you to ask, ‘what’s different’, and do I understand the course of action to ensure maximum logistics success on the road ahead? Whether you are the senior leader or an entry-level analyst, you have decisions to make that will make a difference in your supply chain’s performance. The CSCMP State of Logistics Report presents powerful and timely insights that bring to life critical data and insights that will help readers develop solutions to their logistics challenges.” Josh Brogan, Kearney partner and lead author for the State of Logistics Report: “Continued volatility drives our clients to rethink and rewire the logistics capabilities that drive their supply chains. Both shippers and carriers find that the people, processes and tools that move goods and information in global supply chains are often inadequate for their needs and require accelerated investment. The State of Logistics Report shows what is happening, where and why.” Andy Moses, senior vice president of sales and solutions for Penske Logistics stated: “Our customers, as well as the industry, continue to face significant challenges in maintaining both a consistent and cost-effective supply chain. Investing in technologies to help improve agility and resilience will better position organizations and the industry as a whole to seamlessly navigate future disruptions. The State of Logistics Report provides an excellent explanation of what we are all currently experiencing.” The 35th Annual State of Logistics Report® is available to download at cscmp.org.
StayLinked’s research identifies average warehouse loses $400,000 per year due to hidden productivity killer
First-of-its-kind research shows productivity and profitability loss caused by ‘dropped sessions’ StayLinked’s research report, titled ‘Dropped Sessions – The Hidden Productivity Killer’, is the first to explore the impact of dropped sessions with those directly involved in warehouse operations: the warehouse worker. Dropped sessions occur when the connection is lost between a worker’s mobile device and the warehouse management system (WMS). The report reveals that over 30% of workers experience a dropped session at least once per hour. Each worker incurs an average of 50 minutes of lost productivity per day resolving dropped sessions. The average cost of dropped sessions per worker, per day is $29.23. For a warehouse with 50 workers, this equates to $1,461.67 a day and over $400,000 a year. In the majority of warehouses, dropped sessions are deemed to be a standard occurrence that workers simply endure. However, the impact goes further than simply productivity. Workers often lose all access to the workflow task they were in the process of completing, which can include the associated data. Resolving the issue often requires them to log in again and repeat the task – or even swap their device for a new one – increasing the risk of missed service level agreements (SLAs) and financial penalties. “Dropped sessions cost warehouses significant amounts in lost profitability. That’s what this report, which is the first look at the impact of dropped sessions from a warehouse worker’s perspective, tells the market,” said Justin Griffith, chief technology officer, StayLinked. “It also reveals that warehouse operations managers are not fully aware that dropped sessions are a single identifiable problem that is impacting efficiency, driving up hidden costs, and eating away at the bottom line.” These hidden costs around dropped sessions don’t just affect warehouse workers. For example, StayLinked’s report reveals that 33% of warehouse workers said they need to enlist the help of costly and valuable IT support to regain connectivity. “Warehouse managers may have overlooked dropped sessions as being a prolific productivity killer because ‘dropped sessions’ is not a term used by warehouse workers when experiencing connection issues,” continued Griffith. “Workers refer to program crash, black screen, system crash, power failure, glitch, mobile device outage, and many other descriptions, which makes it challenging for warehouse managers to identify dropped sessions as being the major cause of workflow disruptions.” The report also revealed that warehouse managers and workers alike often regard dropped sessions as ‘inevitable’, ‘part of the job’ and ‘that’s just how terminal emulation (TE) software works’ – terminal emulation software is used by over half of warehouses around the world. Worryingly, for mobile device manufacturers, 47% of respondents believe that dropped sessions are caused by the hardware. “Our report shows the importance of raising awareness among warehouse operations managers that dropped sessions shouldn’t be a regular daily disruption to worker productivity, and are not caused by the mobile device hardware,” added Griffith. “The deployment of the right TE software delivers session persistence by enabling the worker’s workflow session to reside on a resident server and not on the worker’s mobile device. This ensures that if connectivity issues arise, connectivity to the WMS and the resulting data is not lost, even in 5G and private-5G network environments,” explained Griffith. “I don’t think any supply chain organization or warehouse operator can afford not to address dropped sessions. For the average warehouse employing 50 workers, their bottom line could be boosted by up to $400,000,” stated Griffith. “From our calculations, if dropped sessions were eliminated throughout the entire industry, up to $3.2 billion could be saved.” A copy of the report: ‘Dropped Sessions – The Hidden Productivity Killer’, can be downloaded here: https://info.staylinked.com/session-persistence-report2024
Nucor acquired manufacturer of high-performance commercial doors
Nucor Corporation announced it has agreed to acquire Rytec Corporation, a manufacturer and seller of high-speed, high-performance commercial doors. The all-cash transaction is valued at $565 million, which represents approximately 12.5x Rytec’s estimated 2024 EBITDA. With over 300 teammates operating out of two manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, Rytec is widely considered to be the pre-eminent brand for high-performance commercial doors. “Rytec is a leader in high-performance commercial doors and serves several growing end-user markets. This acquisition further executes our strategy to expand beyond our core steelmaking businesses into related downstream businesses. Adding high-performance doors will create cross-selling opportunities with other Nucor businesses and greatly expand Nucor’s product portfolio serving the commercial arena,” said Leon Topalian, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nucor. “Rytec has a strong cultural fit with Nucor, and we are excited to welcome the Rytec teammates to the Nucor family.” Rytec produces high-speed Spiral® rigid rolling doors for warehouses, manufacturing facilities, auto dealerships, and parking garages, as well as durable fabric doors for cold storage/food and beverage, manufacturing, and clean room applications. The company has a strong focus on product development and has invested significantly in technology and automation to improve quality, increase efficiency, and enhance safety. “We are excited to work with the incredible team at Rytec. Their products are a natural platform for expanding Nucor’s overhead door product suite. Rytec has established itself as the premier brand in high-performance commercial doors, with a strong reputation for quality and best-in-class customer service. The combination of Rytec with C.H.I. Overhead Doors will create an overhead door platform that will deliver superior product breadth and solutions to Nucor’s commercial customers,” said Chad Utermark, Executive Vice President of New Markets and Innovation for Nucor.
Bonus Episode: Gen AI in the Warehouse at Momentum 2024
On this bonus episode of the podcast, we are talking AI in the warehouse with Ravi Maganti from Manhattan Associates. This conversation was originally broadcast live at Momentum 2024 where AI was certainly a large topic of conversation with Manhattan announcing their generative AI approach to the warehouse called Manhattan Assist. One of the top questions I get from people both in the industry and outside the industry is “how is AI coming into the warehouse?” so I was very excited to have this conversation and get the answer. What is Generative AI? With AI or artificial intelligence becoming so prevalent in our world, not just a specific industry, there is a lot of talk about what AI can do and what AI even is. There are multiple different types of AI and applications that Ravi gives us definitions of and examples of in the conversation, however, we are focused on generative AI in this use case. The easiest way to think of generative AI is ChatGPT, which is a generative AI platform and what Ravi compares to “the mobile phone revolution” with its prevalence in today’s society. The true definition is where multiple sets of existing data are taken and can then be used to generate new content whether it is text, images, video or other examples. This is very similar to what you might see from a chat interface where you ask a question and the generative AI platform will return information to you based on what you have asked. How Generative AI is Coming Into the Warehouse Now, how is generative AI coming into the warehouse itself? With Manhattan’s recent launch of Manhattan Assist, which has been in development for over a decade and was teased last year at Momentum, generative AI has now found a home in the warehouse. Through their first launch of Assist to their Manhattan Active users they are giving access to Assist on every part of the Active platform allowing users to dig into configurations on any screen. This takes away multiple different points at which interaction would be needed from a support level. Now that configurations can be dissected to the level the user needs right in an easy-to-access chat system they can get on with their work and not run into potential roadblocks. One of the benefits of Manhattan Active is being able to have access to new features every 90 days without any updates or implementations. With so many features coming on line at a frequent pace, a user can now easily understand them and how to put them into place for themselves with Manhattan Assist. Starting at this higher level and foundational system configuration level is a big win for those operating on Manhattan Active and will be a big foundation for what’s to come from Manhattan Assist. Key Takeaways Generative AI is what most think of when they think of AI (like ChatGPT) and Ravi explains how Manhattan has developed their large language models (LLMs) over time to deliver Manhattan Assist. Manhattan Assist is Manhattan Active’s newest feature that brings Generative AI into the warehouse and helps to breakdown configurations on any aspect of the platform in easy to digest ways. Manhattan Assist is just the start of what Generative AI can do in the warehouse and the continued learning and evolution of the platform will increase the ability of the user to be better informed and make better decisions. The New Warehouse Podcast Gen AI in the Warehouse at Momentum 2024
Generix named in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
For the sixth consecutive year. In a dynamic market where AI and the Cloud reign supreme, Generix reaffirms its commitment to innovation, bolstering its SaaS solutions to maintain leadership in the supply chain execution domain and cater to its 500+ WMS customers globally. With approximately 2,000 warehouses operating daily with its two distinct WMSs, Generix WMS and SOLOCHAIN, the company remains dedicated to maximizing warehouse efficiency and performance. With a broad and deep functional scope coupled with standardized processes, Generix WMS solution covers the needs of companies across a wide spectrum of industries, often dealing with complex operations. In addition, SOLOCHAIN WMS solution offers complete flexibility and is designed to simplify business process integration with powerful visual tools. The synergy between Generix WMS and SOLOCHAIN offers comprehensive solutions tailored to diverse industry needs, including stored, cross-dock, e-commerce, and multi-customer flows. Generix’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth remains unwavering. The strategic investments in research and development (R&D) have started to generate results. These investments reinforce Generix’s mission to digitally connect all businesses together across global value chains. “We are honored to be recognized in the Magic Quadrant™ for the six consecutive year. We believe this underscores our relentless commitment and efforts to empowering companies across industries to continuously innovate their warehouse operations, digitize their key business processes and continuously optimize their overall performance. From our perspective, the analysis of our two WMSs is a strong marker of our technological shift and the acceleration of better data exploitation with AI to best serve our customers.” comments Si-Mohamed Saïd, Chief Marketing & Product Officer.
Episode 490: Addressing warehousing labor challenges with Inviscid Consulting
In episode 490 of The New Warehouse Podcast, Steve Hopper, founder and principal of Inviscid Consulting, joins the show to discuss the ever-pressing topic of labor. With decades of experience in the industry, Hopper brings a wealth of knowledge in optimizing warehousing, distribution, and logistics operations. Inviscid Consulting specializes in streamlining processes to reduce costs and enhance service levels. In this episode, Hopper delves into the persistent labor challenges in the warehousing sector, the nuances between labor performance and productivity, and innovative approaches to addressing workforce shortages without solely relying on increased staffing. Navigating Labor Challenges in Warehousing Labor shortages have been a longstanding issue in the warehousing industry, exacerbated by recent events like the pandemic and an aging workforce. Hopper explains that many view warehousing work as unappealing due to its physical demands and repetitive nature. This negative perception, evolving worker qualifications, and language barriers create a perfect storm for labor shortages. Despite these challenges, Hopper emphasizes, “You can’t just throw bodies at the problem. You must look at alternatives to get more out of your existing workforce.” Enhancing Productivity Through Strategic Measures Hopper discusses the critical distinction between productivity and performance in warehousing operations. Productivity is a raw metric of output divided by input, such as units per hour. Performance, however, encompasses a broader range of factors, including the pace of work, the methods used, and the overall utilization of time. “Many businesses overlook simple yet effective strategies to improve productivity,” Hopper says. He suggests that instead of immediately turning to automation, companies should focus on optimizing their current resources. Implementing best practices, improving worker training, and ensuring effective use of time can significantly enhance performance. Hopper uses a vivid analogy: “Think of Michael Jordan. His performance was a combination of pace, method, and utilization. It’s the same with your workforce.” Addressing Labor Shortages without Increasing Headcount Inviscid Consulting helps businesses tackle labor shortages by optimizing existing processes and resources. Hopper explains that many companies fail to manage and measure their workforce actively, leading to inefficiencies and high turnover. “Many are just throwing people into the warehouse and hoping for the best,” he observes. By conducting thorough operational assessments, Inviscid Consulting identifies areas for improvement. Hopper stresses the importance of setting realistic goals, managing workforce engagement, and fostering a positive work environment. He highlights innovative solutions like gamification and flexible working hours to attract and retain younger workers. Key Takeaways Addressing labor shortages requires more than just hiring more workers. Productivity and performance are distinct metrics; improving both involves optimizing pace, methods, and utilization. Implementing best practices and active workforce management can significantly enhance productivity. Innovative approaches, such as gamification and flexible working hours, can help attract and retain workers. The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 490: Addressing Warehousing Labor Challenges with Inviscid Consulting
Episode 489: Elevating Warehouse Safety Management with Elokon Group
In episode 489 of The New Warehouse podcast, Mark Stanton, President and General Manager of Elokon Group, joins to discuss improving warehouse safety management. Elokon Group, with over 38 years of experience, specializes in enhancing safety for material handling equipment (MHE) and fire safety systems. This episode explores the integration of safety tech, the balance between passive and active measures, and the challenges of demonstrating ROI in safety investments. Integrating Safety Tech in Warehouses Mark emphasizes the significance of combining passive and active safety measures in warehouse environments. While passive measures, such as signage and barriers, are crucial, they often need the support of active technology. He noted, “You can have all the best tech in the world, but if you don’t implement the protocols and procedures and the management and supervision around that tech, there’s no guarantee that it’s going to work or improve anything.” Elokon’s safety solutions, such as the ELOshield system, utilize proximity detection to alert operators and pedestrians to potential hazards, enhancing real-time decision-making and reducing accident likelihood. The Role of Data in Elevating Warehouse Safety Management Data collection and analysis are pivotal in improving warehouse safety management. Elokon’s ELOfleet system exemplifies this by offering comprehensive fleet management through access control, safety checklists, and monitoring operator behavior. There’s so much data just floating around within a warehouse, but how do you take action on that? How do you use that to make better decisions? Stanton believes, “If we can give that human a little bit more information in a timely manner so that he or she can make a better-informed decision, the likelihood is you will get to or close to a zero-incidence operation.” By capturing near-miss incidents, companies can prevent future accidents. Stanton adds,“Whether that event is just a near miss or something more significant, people want to come in with 10 fingers and 10 toes, and they need to leave with the same quantity, you know. And anything we can do to improve and drive that on a daily, weekly, hourly basis and really push that envelope.” Analyzing data helps identify high-risk areas and implement targeted interventions, fostering a safer work environment. Overcoming ROI Challenges in Safety Investments One of the significant challenges in adopting safety technology is demonstrating a clear return on investment (ROI). Stanton shared insights on navigating this challenge, emphasizing the value of pilot programs and peer networking. He explained, “You haven’t had an incident at this point, so go and spend 50 grand, 100 grand just in case. They’re going to come back and say, ‘Well, that seems a little unnecessary.’”By implementing pilot programs, companies can evaluate the effectiveness of safety systems in real-world settings. Additionally, learning from the experiences of other organizations can provide valuable insights and build a compelling case for safety investments. Key Takeaways Combining passive and active safety measures is crucial for comprehensive warehouse safety. Data-driven insights help identify high-risk areas and guide targeted safety interventions. Pilot programs and peer networking can effectively demonstrate the ROI of safety technology investments. The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 489: Elevating Warehouse Safety Management with Elokon Group
Trew® named Top workplace by employees for second consecutive year
The award recognizes top companies in the Greater Cincinnati region based on employee feedback. Trew, LLC has been recognized as a 2024 Top Workplaces Regional winner, receiving the award for the second consecutive year. Trew’s team includes a wide range of roles that work together to create client value and deliver on-time projects. Roles within the business include solutions development, project management, software, engineering, manufacturing, installation, sales, marketing, and other general corporate services. “Trew has an environment where team members consistently go the extra mile to deliver exceptional service to our customers,” said Alfred Rebello Trew Chief Executive Officer. We are thankful that our people who form the bedrock of the company and who continually strive for excellence have awarded this honor.” The Top Workplace Award is based entirely on employee feedback gathered by a third-party survey administered by Energage, LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures fifteen culture drivers that are critical to success of any organization such as alignment, execution, and connection. The award highlights organizations that stood out among their peers, demonstrating a commitment to employee satisfaction, organizational excellence, and building a thriving workplace culture. Trew won 2024 Cultural Excellence awards in the following categories: • Innovation • Purpose & Values • Leadership • Work-Life Flexibility • Compensation & Benefits Eric Rubino, Energage CEO, commented, “The Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor and something companies should be very proud to showcase. The people-first cultures they have built and nurtured will set them apart in a highly competitive market. These organizations represent the best of the best.” Trew was formed in January 2019 by warehouse automation veterans and has quickly become a solutions leader in the industry. The company is anchored in Cincinnati, with a diverse hybrid workforce and additional facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the greater Toronto, Canada area.
Episode 488: Taking a Collaborative Approach with Rocrich AGV Solutions
The New Warehouse Podcast welcomes Carson Menke, Regional Sales Manager, and Brian Markison, Director of Sales, from Rocrich AGV Solutions. The episode delves into the unique collaboration between Jungheinrich and Rocla in North America, the extensive automation solutions offered by Rocrich, and the broader implications of automation in the warehousing industry. Be sure to tune to hear Carson and Brian share their expertise on the evolution and future of warehouse automation. Rocrich AGV Solutions: Bridging Proven Brands Rocrich AGV Solutions stands out by combining the strengths of two established brands, Jungheinrich and Rocla. Carson explains, “Rocrich is the North American sales implementation and engineering of those two product lines.” He adds, “any challenge that approaches us that a customer may be having, we can put them first and really provide a solution that works for them.” This strategic combination allows Rocrich to offer a comprehensive range of solutions tailored to meet diverse customer needs. Brian Markison adds, “It allows us to blend those and handle more use cases and a single source from that perspective.” By leveraging the robust capabilities of both brands, Rocrich provides flexible and scalable automation solutions. Tailored Automation Solutions for Varied Challenges Rather than focusing solely on product specifications, Rocrich adopts a solutions-oriented approach to automation. Carson emphasizes, “When you’re looking at AGVs, it’s a little bit different. You wanna look at it from a solutions approach.” This means understanding the specific challenges faced by customers and providing customized solutions. Rocrich’s offerings range from standardized AGVs based on existing forklift models to more specialized units for niche applications. As Carson explains, “We have a very large offering under the two brands,” ensuring that they can meet the unique needs of each customer. Efficiency and Safety in Warehousing The discussion highlights the critical role of automation in addressing labor shortages and improving operational efficiency. Brian notes, “One of the biggest challenges that warehouses are facing today is just having enough labor on staff.” Automation not only helps mitigate labor shortages but also enhances safety and reduces costs. Carson adds, “Efficiency and dependability are big reasons why people are moving towards automation.” By automating repetitive and dangerous tasks, warehouses can improve safety and productivity, allowing human workers to focus on more value-added activities. Key Takeaways Strategic Brand Combination: Rocrich leverages the strengths of Jungheinrich and Rocla to offer comprehensive automation solutions. Solutions-Oriented Approach: Focus on addressing specific customer challenges rather than just product specifications. Labor and Efficiency Benefits: Automation helps mitigate labor shortages, improve safety, and enhance operational efficiency. The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 488: Taking a Collaborative Approach with Rocrich AGV Solutions
LEIBINGER wins the “German Innovation Award” for IQJET and is also recognized as “Innovator of the Year”
The German Design Council has honored LEIBINGER’s innovative, high-performance industrial printer, IQJET, with the Gold German Innovation Award on May 14th in Berlin. Additionally, the marking system specialist was named Innovator of the Year 2024. The interdisciplinary expert jury of the German Design Council awarded IQJET in the category “Excellence in Business to Business: Machines & Engineering” with the Gold German Innovation Award. The award is based on criteria such as sustainability, quality, and economic efficiency for outstanding products, projects, and pioneering achievements. About 300 guests from politics, business, and media attended the festive event at the Berlin Futurium. Revolutionary industrial printer IQJET Wherever production and packaging occur, marking plays a crucial role. Printed information ensures reliable compliance with legal requirements, enables seamless traceability along the entire value chain, and creates transparency as well as user interaction opportunities for consumers. With the new industrial printer, IQJET, LEIBINGER revolutionizes continuous inkjet printing (CIJ) and offers users from numerous industries an optimal solution for marking their products. IQJET, for instance, prints texts, logos, and codes on a variety of surfaces such as metal, plastic, glass, and paper. The device guarantees high performance, exceptional print quality, and efficiency with reliable continuous operation and no need for cleaning. Users benefit from the unique “Plug&Print” performance, easy operation, and five years of maintenance-free operation. Compared to conventional printers, IQJET reduces operating costs by up to 30 percent. Furthermore, companies optimize their ecological footprint through the low consumption of energy, ink, and solvents. Christina Leibinger, CEO of LEIBINGER, and COO Jan van het Reve personally accepted the award. Leibinger summarizes, “We have set a goal to continuously optimize industrial CIJ printing and take a leading role as a provider of innovative coding & marking technology. We are proud that our innovative strength has also impressed the jury.” Van het Reve adds, “Our developments are always focused on benefiting the customer, meaning that with the LEIBINGER printers we aim to make a significant contribution to operating cost optimization, sustainability, and efficiency in manufacturing and packaging lines worldwide.” LEIBINGER also awarded as a company The nomination committee also recognized LEIBINGER as Innovator of the Year 2024. Renowned business, science, and media experts consider LEIBINGER to be the pioneer in its field. The award is the largest audience award in German business, honoring companies of every size and industry as well as innovative ideas from all areas of business. Over 70,000 entrepreneurs, CEOs, and other business enthusiasts also choose the winners of the audience awards online in various categories.
MHS Lift named Top Workplace for Fifth Consecutive Year
For the fifth consecutive year, MHS Lift, Inc. has been honored as one of the 2024 Top Workplaces in the Greater Philadelphia area by The Philadelphia Inquirer. For the last 15 years, The Philadelphia Inquirer has partnered with Exton-based company Energage to rank the region’s Top Workplaces through a scientific survey of employees who rate their workplace culture. Any organization with at least 50 employees based in the Delaware Valley area is eligible to participate. MHS Lift was additionally honored with Energage’s 2024 National Culture Excellence Award, a national recognition for Top Workplaces. The workplaces are divided into groups based on the number of employees and calculated scores. MHS Lift was honored for its excellence in the categories of leadership, innovation, compensation and benefits, purpose and values, and work-life flexibility. “We are very proud of the work environment that we’ve built here at MHS Lift,” said Andy Levin, co-president, MHS Lift. “We owe this award entirely to the hard work and outstanding performance of our talented employees, as well as our dedicated customers and associates.” “Each year, we strive to make MHS Lift an even greater place to work, emphasizing our company’s competitive benefits and salaries, while also staying committed to providing our employees with ongoing training and advancement opportunities,” said Brett Levin, co-president, MHS Lift. “Our goal is to consistently recruit highly skilled and smart people to join our growing workforce.” Committed to fostering a thriving company culture, MHS Lift has taken “having fun at work” to the next level with its one-of-a-kind Fun Committee. This group is dedicated to ensuring that MHS Lift employees enjoy their time on the job. The Fun Committee meets monthly to organize parties, fundraisers and community events, as well as brainstorm new and exciting ways to make the MHS Lift social scene vibrant and fun.