Day: September 19, 2018

Packing is Not an End of Line Operation Even though the packing and shipping operations physically occur at the end of the order picking and fulfillment processes, intelligent pack station design requires that packing and shipping be approached holistically and considered as a fully integrated order picking and fulfillment operation. Start by looking at order…

Picking items for multiple orders at the same time (batch picking) seems like an obvious means of improving throughput, reducing labor, lowering equipment acquisition costs and improving accuracy and cut-off times. The trick is how do you implement batch picking?  The answer truly depends on what level of equipment and automation you have or would…

The question is, how will today’s organizations that order pick, pack, ship and assemble products be impacted on a new minimum wage increase?  Seattle, Washington has recently passed its record setting increase of its minimum wage rates.  It’s a trend that’s repeating across the country.  Comments range from ridicule to praise. So why do I…

The material handling and intralogistics universe just took a step towards improved efficiencies when the world’s largest material handling associations announced the creation of a formal alliance between the groups.  This alliance follows the findings in MHI’s 2025 Roadmap program which clearly identified the need for greater efficiencies by having increased standards, shared knowledge and…

There is a long standing interest in the dynamics of organizational buying and how and why the process can have such a significant impact on profitable operations. The battle between purchasing directives and engineering objectives is often a focus of the conflict.  Both groups share the common goal of improving the efficiency of company operations…