Articles

Warehousing

Keith Biondo
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Robots and People: Co-Evolving

Robots and people are adjusting their symbiotic relationship in logistics. Our recent robotics coverage (Feb. 2021) generated a good amount of audience feedback, most related to the growing importance and essential need for humans in logistics. It’s true that the stresses created by the virus economy spawned an increase in investing in automation to take […]

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John Haber
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The Future of Warehouse Workers

Warehouse employment has reached new highs as e-commerce sales are higher than any previous point in time. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, total U.S. e-commerce sales for 2020 increased 32.4% from 2019. In comparison, total e-commerce sales in 2019 increased 14.9% from 2018. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has driven much of the existing current […]

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B2B Materials Supplier Prepares for a Fast-Growth Future with a Fleet of Mobile Robots
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B2B Materials Supplier Prepares for a Fast-Growth Future with a Fleet of Mobile Robots

Many companies integrating robotics seek to add them to their current warehouse layout to keep the workflow moving seamlessly. Material Bank, a B2B materials supplier, saw an opportunity to build their entire business model and warehouse around the robotic solution from the very start for even more gains. There was a specific need to find […]

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Vertical Focus: Confections
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Vertical Focus: Confections

Chocolate Supply Chain: Bean to Bar None Consumers are more conscious about the ingredients in the chocolate they buy due to vegan diets, lactose allergies, climate concerns, and ethical spending. This increased the demand for premium products and a bean-to-bar approach to manufacturing, says Fortune Business Insights data. These trends are affecting the chocolate supply […]

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Keith Biondo
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GM & Kroger: Transformers

The interconnection between advanced manufacturing, automation, and supply chain management had a boost in the past year. Part of that boost was due to the virus economy, but most was due to the genius and creativity of those seeking solutions to tough business challenges amplified by ever-evolving customer demands. Transformation. Just as the silo-crashing impact […]

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IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-April 2021

Technology Shippers with a network of brokers and freight forwarders can benefit from BluJay Solutions’ new Augmented Global Trade platform, which streamlines workflow and accelerates efficiency for international trade operations. The multi-tenant SaaS platform automates end-to-end customs and compliance requirements. IFCO Systems, a provider of reusable plastic containers (RPCs) for fresh food packaging, added track-and-trace technology to […]

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50 Orders in 6 Minutes
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50 Orders in 6 Minutes

Kroger continues to invest in its digital business. By opening America’s first automated warehouse with digital and robotic capabilities in Monroe, Ohio, the supermarket chain can assemble a 50-item order in just six minutes. Comparatively, a Kroger employee takes 30 to 45 minutes to pick items from various areas of the store. The $55-million, 335,000-square-foot […]

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NOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief-Apr 2021

Good Works PLS Logistics Services, a third-party logistics provider, raised more than $5,000 to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank by hosting a virtual fund drive, providing more than 26,900 meals to those in need in the community. Local PLS employees also volunteered at two food bank distribution locations (pictured). Energy manufacturing and logistics […]

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Walmart Goes Local
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Walmart Goes Local

Walmart plans to increase the number of local fulfillment centers across the United States, which it will build inside or near existing retail locations. This localized approach mirrors Amazon’s strategy, as both companies face off amid surging demand for online orders. Walmart opened its first fulfillment center in 2019 in New Hampshire when the retail […]

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Getting Into the Spirits
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Getting Into the Spirits

Craft distillers like Montanya Distillers—which produces rum from its base in Crested Butte, Colorado, where the high altitude and cool temperatures allow for flavorful aging—typically have been limited to distributing products within their own state, or perhaps a few surrounding ones. If they venture farther afield, they risk falling out of compliance with the myriad regulations governing liquor distribution across the United States.

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Karen Leavitt
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Robotic Automation: Now Is the Time to Deploy

Q: Are you seeing growing interest in the use of robots in distribution and warehouse operations? A: Absolutely. Since the early onset of the pandemic last year, there has been a notable increase in the number of companies looking into adding robotics and automation to their fulfillment operations. The pandemic caused a dramatic shift to […]

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