Features

By Bob Trebilcock · January 13, 2021
The retail leader gave new life to an existing facility that sets the standard for e-fulfillment at Gap Inc. What’s more, it brought the 1.2-million-square-foot facility online two months ahead of schedule during a pandemic.

By Roberto Michel · January 11, 2021
From smaller, more irregular packages, to new market segments like micro-fulfillment automation, the change driven by e-commerce is reflected in the conveyor and sortation market. Add in the need to offer systems that are faster to put in and more adaptable over time, and you see multiple reasons for these trends.

By Roberto Michel · January 11, 2021
The pandemic stressed supply chains, including how much inventory to plan for and hold at the network level, as well as how to best manage it within the four walls of DCs. Using fresher, short-term demand data, by adjusting slotting, or simply by gaining greater accuracy though solid data capture and verification processes in WMS, should help keep inventory under better control.

By Gary Forger · January 10, 2021
As retailers rebuild their distribution schemes as quickly as possible, they are still behind the curve when it comes to how the role of stores is changing and the enormous surge in e-commerce. A little empathy is actually in order, even when you can’t buy exactly what you want when you want it. Patience remains a virtue.

By Patrick Burnson · January 7, 2021
Freight transportation providers responded to COVID-19 pressures heroically, becoming leaner, more collaborative and efficient. And while this is good news for the nation’s freight network, shippers should expect significantly higher rates across all modes in the months ahead as the world moves through recovery.

By Bob Trebilcock · December 31, 2020
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By Bob Trebilcock · December 30, 2020
One of the country’s largest shoe companies brought its wholesale distribution operations in house with a highly automated distribution network capable of shipping a total of 80 million pairs of shoes a year. Here’s how.

By Gary Forger · December 30, 2020
For maintenance teams, the pandemic is about much more than just PPE and protocols. More complete data, virtual meetings, tightly focused service calls and personal support for everyone on the team are the essential ingredients for success.

By Bridget McCrea · December 29, 2020
Battling the impacts of the global pandemic and handling a massive surge in e-commerce orders, North American third-party logistics providers saw their business remain fairly even in 2020 while the e-commerce portion grew by 28% over 2019.

By Roberto Michel · December 28, 2020
Though robotic industrial trucks are still a small slice of the market, expectations are growing for them as operations seek to speed up their processes while lessening the struggle of trying to find enough operators.

By Eric Butterman, Contributing Editor · December 28, 2020
Totes, bins and containers didn’t avoid the coronavirus effect, but the segment adjusts and firmly looks ahead.

By Roberto Michel · December 28, 2020
Automation vendors, including several startups, are lining up to meet the growing interest in micro-fulfillment centers. Automation characteristics like high storage density, rapid access to totes, and high uptime are vital to success, but vendors also point to the need to iron out supply chain issues like replenishment.

By Bridget McCrea · November 23, 2020
As warehouse and DC operators find new ways to manage the impacts of the global pandemic, automatic identification and data capture solutions continue to play an important role in their digital transformation journeys.

By Bob Trebilcock · October 14, 2020
A fleet of five AGVs links the production line with finished goods storage.

By Bob Trebilcock · October 14, 2020
A leading auto parts manufacturer turned to AGVs using next-generation navigation and control technologies to automate lineside delivery and pickup. The result: A 73% reduction in materials handling resources and a two-year ROI.