When you are working in the supply chain, July is when you start planning and getting ready for Christmas. Yes, it’s hard to think about Christmas when the heat index is approaching 100-plus... View More

Technology is a tool that you can no longer do without. Having a distribution center that is not driven by technology simply doesn’t make good business sense. If you are in e-commerce, it is... View More

For many, spring brings a slower time. You have finished your year-end physical inventory plans and now you are organizing, getting new product in for your next peak season. Some of you stay f... View More

Congratulations! You made it through one more year. Hopefully, you are not kickstarting 2023 by kicking the can down the proverbial distribution row. There are distribution and supply chain ma... View More

And all through the distribution center, elves were frantically picking, packing, and shipping. Yes, frantically! The peak season is a trial-by-fire of the procedures and processes you... View More

Automation is defined as “the use of largely automatic equipment in a system of manufacturing or other production process.” What does that mean in your distribution center? Automat... View More

Across the country, everyone is facing the same challenges: How do I get more done with less? Less space, tools, time — and, of course, fewer people. What If You Can’t Find Enough Workers?... View More

Ever wonder how relaxing and less stressful your life would be if your department or facility was on auto pilot? How refreshing would it be to know your team had your back and anything that co... View More

Prices are rising, good talent (or any talent!) is hard to find, and the demand for just about everything is increasing. Associates are getting tired of overtime, and it feels like you’re op... View More

Many times, in the distribution world, we supply chain professionals identify products that will enhance productivity, throughput, and accuracy, but there’s not a budget for those tools. Whe... View More

You know the old song lyrics: “And the sign says, ‘long hair freaky people need not apply.’" Well, we have thankfully come of age, and we are now accepting long hair, tattoos, earrings

This last year may have you wondering who broke a mirror, causing seven years of bad luck, or when we will emerge from doom and gloom. As I write this, we are faced with weather issues, second... View More

Whew; 2020 is finally behind us! As 20/20 means perfect vision, I thought now would be a good time to ask if you can accurately describe your vision of last year as well as what lessons were l... View More

There’s a lot of talk about how we are going to respond to the effects of COVID-19 in the supply chain and, more specifically, in the distribution center. Automation would reduce the “human... View More

The threat of a pandemic had the ability to break the weak supply chains and embolden the strong ones. The ones less prepared have struggled in getting supplies, finding workers, protecting th... View More

There’s nothing more important right now than preparation, as evidenced by how COVID-19 took us by surprise. However, the upcoming peak season is a known occurrence (even though it could loo... View More

Turnover of your staff and associates is one of the most detrimental events in the distribution center. When someone quits, you lose the domain knowledge, procedural knowledge, and the l... View More

Our industry is seeing innovations that will change the way we operate the complete supply chain. Blockchain will improve transparency, reliability, and efficiency. Mobile robots are gaining t... View More

The 2019 PARCEL Forum conference just concluded, and once again, I was impressed by the quality and diversity of the distribution center tours offered. First up was Saddle Creek Corporation, a... View More

The most common complaint that I hear as I travel to different distribution centers is, “We just can’t find good people.” Oftentimes, the complaint is warranted, but many times, it’s... View More