Colman Roche

Ouch - It’s hard to imagine that when a company invests over $150 million in automation that the project would fail. Unfortunately, this scenario happened, and this and other similar challenges is leading to significant layoffs in the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) industry. A recent McKinsey study of a consumer goods company highlights how ambitious plans can go awry without proper execution. Their automated facility aimed to streamline online and in-store orders but ended up with unused automation due to inaccurate forecasts and poor implementation. So, what can we learn from this? Here are four key takeaways from supplychainbrain.com to avoid similar pitfalls: > Avoid Relying on Pilots > Align the Organization > Empower Middle Management > Choose the Right Partner Warehouse automation is complex and requires a collective effort. From executives to warehouse workers, everyone needs to be on board. #SupplyChain #Leadership #ChangeManagement

20

10 Comments

Experts from Locus Robotics and DHL Supply Chain will be sharing real-life examples on how AMRs, pick towers, and mezzanines boost pick density, enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Register today! 📦 🤖 https://lnkd.in/e8kg2kCa #warehouseautomation #supplychain #warehouseoptimization

17

🚀 Exciting News! Connors Group is proud to announce that our very own Andy Hunter will be speaking at Netlogistik's Innovation Day in Chicago on September 5th! 🎉 Join Andy and his colleague Nate Kent as they dive into "People-Centric Automation: Best Practices for Tech Integration" and explore how labor shortages, higher interest rates, new regulations, and technological advancements transform supply chains. During the session, Andy and Nate will discuss: 1. The current state of supply chains and the driving factors behind industry changes. 2. Best practices for introducing technology, focusing on a holistic approach to automation that considers the facility, people, contingency plans, and training. 3. Key considerations for PMO and project coordination, facility process mapping, tailored employee training, and labor standards. 🔗 Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights! Registration is free: https://hubs.la/Q02McFst0 #SupplyChain #Automation #InnovationDay #ConnorsGroup #Netlogistik #Logistics

12

1 Comment

Partnering with the right 3PL is critical when your product keeps the world connected. Here are 4 questions to ask before outsourcing your semiconductor operations. https://okt.to/RZm7x1

19

𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗧𝗟 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 "🔍📊 With LTL prices outpacing the overall economy, printers need sustainable logistics strategies. Companies like Walmart are consolidating shipments to leverage truckload rates. Discover how your printing business can adapt and stay competitive. #Sustainability #PrintLogistics #FreightManagement #CostSavings https://bit.ly/4bVuE5W

2

Catch former Dematic Exec Jim Stollberg, discussing the evolution of warehouse technology and the exciting innovations that have emerged over the years. 🎙️✨ #WarehouseChat #SupplyChain #WarehouseSolutions #IndustryNetworking #Logistics #IndustryTrends #SupplyChainPodcast #MaterialHandling #TechInnovation #Automation

17

How can automation impact the way a retailer orders inventory? Will Sparks and Gabrielle Knoll of Tractor Supply Company explain the wide ranging positive impacts automation can have on the overall supply chain in the latest episode of The New Warehouse. With a wider ranging variety of skus, it can be difficult to justify carrying everything in the DC which results in having to get direct shipments directly to their stores. However, Will explains how automation can help them get better control of this inventory and allow them to take advantage of things like volume discounts when existing DC's can gain better density through automated solutions. If you think automation will only address labor issues, think again. This conversation highlights the many factors that can have positive impacts for a business when it comes to automation. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/e7GSYHHx

22

2 Comments

DCS is honored to have been mentioned as a WES vendor in Gartner's Hype Cycle for Supply Chain Execution Technologies. Click here to read the entire report: https://bit.ly/46MiJ9o #Gartner #DesignedConveyorSystems

43

"The person closest to the problem understands it best, virtually never has the tools in the tool belt to fix the problem, and definitely never has the authority to do it." Kevin Gaul from RF-SMART shares this great story in a discussion about how businesses start or scale automation in the warehouse and beyond. Check out our newest episode of #UnboxingLogistics here. -> https://lnkd.in/gPAVW7ad

35

1 Comment

3PLs demand flexible solutions. Some aspects of flexibility that we've incorporated into the Case Studies below: 1. No hardline data requirements - 80/20 Pareto not needed; add new or change end users as needed 2. Fast deployments - Maximize ROI from end user contract 3. Ease of Expansion, Repurposing, Relocating equipment Click through the link below to see these applied in the field!

22

Dealing with SKU proliferation can be a major challenge for beverage distributors. Finding a solution can be tricky if the problem isn't clearly understood. Discover how industry experts, like my colleague Kyle Nevenhoven from Dematic, are using automation and other strategies to alleviate the pressure on distributors in this informative article from Beverage Industry Magazine.

4

The former Dematic exec shares how a funny consumer experience 📦 opened his eyes to how e-commerce has changed consumer behavior and supply chains!💡 [Full Chat] out tomorrow! 📅 #WarehouseChat #SupplyChain #WarehouseSolutions #IndustryNetworking #Logistics #IndustryTrends #SupplyChainPodcast #MaterialHandling #Ecommerce #ConsumerBehavior #B2C

16

1 Comment

Explore how the frontier of innovation is already in the warehouse - and could be in yours - from autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) to vision picking smart glasses. https://okt.to/awbQ3u

1

While the allure of automation is undeniable, not every warehouse needs it. Specific business needs and operational challenges should drive the decision to implement warehouse automation. Wondering when to automate your warehouse and when to not? Here are the factors to consider When to Automate: 🔸High volume and consistent orders 🔸High labor costs 🔸Operational complexity 🔸Need for error reduction 🔸Optimized space utilization 🔸Safety concerns 🔸Scalability requirements 🔸Need for data integration When Not to Automate: 🔹Low volume and variable demand 🔹High initial costs 🔹Need for operational flexibility 🔹Immature or unreliable technology 🔹Availability of skilled, affordable labor 🔹Short-term operational horizon 🔹Concerns over maintenance and downtime 🔹Cultural resistance to change Curious to learn more in detail? Read the blog: When to Consider Warehouse Automation: Key Indicators for Your Business with insights from Jon Schechter, VP, North American Business Development, AutoStore™ as shared in the latest eCom Logistics Podcast. Link in the comments. #warehouse #automation #supplychain #ecomlogisticspodcast

14

1 Comment

"Vendors of products in your warehouse do not necessarily provide trustworthy dimensions or weights. Add to that changing SKUs over time. Then there’s the internal bias of not prioritizing dimensioning systems and processes on the capex list. An even worse sin is not using the equipment even when it’s in place." Matt Miller, MobileDemand President and CTO, weighs in on weighing and dimensioning systems in Modern Materials Handling Magazine's new article>> https://bit.ly/3W34iIW #dimensioning #mobiledimensioning #cubing

10

The world of automotive is evolving rapidly. Please listen to insights from William Mansard and Linda Grady

7

What is a custom bonded warehouse? A potential competitive advantage you should know about. On the latest episode of The New Warehouse I was joined by Uma Taylor of Meiborg Warehousing at #WERC2024 and she broke down everything you need to know about custom bonded warehouses. Dive in and let us know your experience with this type of warehousing in the comments. https://lnkd.in/edrXGs8D

9