What Are The Latest Innovations In Distribution Warehousing?
The latest innovations in distribution warehousing are important to know before engaging with a supplier. This is so you can align your values and how you want your supply chain to be handled with the right warehouse service for you.
Read on to find out how technology has impacted the warehousing industry.
The Latest Innovations In Distribution Warehousing
Technology has become highly integrated in distribution warehousing, like most industries you can think of. That’s because (as much as some of us don’t want to admit it) warehouse technology has improved the efficiency and productivity of various operations, such as order processing, inventory management, security, handling and fulfilment, movement of goods, storage organisation, and much more.
You should be up to date on industry innovations before engaging a supplier, as it will impact supply chain costs, as well as the speed and predictability of supply chain movement.
1. Robotics
Robots are becoming faster, more precise, smarter and cheaper than humans, making them a revolutionary force in the latest innovations for distribution warehousing.
Did you know that one in three of the professional robots built for service are being utilised for the transportation of goods or cargo? Most are being utilised alongside human workers in an indoor production and warehousing environment.
There are a range of warehousing functions that robots assist with, including opening, filling, transporting and palletising product packaging. They can also streamline the process of sealing, coding, and labelling packages in preparation for shipping.
The material flow through a warehouse facility can be complex, but the integration of robotics and automative technologies means it is easily standardised and programmable.
An example of this is Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). AGVs are used in warehouses to complete regular, repetitive functions that may be strenuous and time-consuming for humans. For this reason, they are widely favoured for reducing labour costs. AGVs may be used for:
- Stock arrangement
- Replenishment
- Point-to-point transfer
- Empty pallet handling
- Finished good to outbound
And add value to:
- High-density, high-level storage
- Light item handling
- Block stacking
2. Warehouse Management Systems
A warehouse management system gives businesses access to their entire inventory and manages supply chain fulfilment operations from a distribution centre to a shop shelf.
Warehouse management systems are essential to modern supply chain management and offer real-time visibility to a business’s entire inventory, while in the warehouse and in transit. Not only do they streamline inventory management, but also assist in picking and packing processes, resource utilisation, analytics, and more.
By coordinating and optimising resource usage and material flows, warehouse management systems enable companies to maximise their labour, space utilisation, and how they invest in equipment.
As digital technologies have completely shifted the flow of consumerism, from adding complexity within supply chains to evolving purchasing behaviour. It is now more prevalent than ever before that handling, fulfilment and warehouse services keep up with this drastic shift by using a digitally connected service of their own.
3. Automated Storage And Retrieval Systems (ASRS)
Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) are both computer and robot-aided systems. They can locate and retrieve items or store them in specific locations. Basically, the system is set up with predefined locations where machines can follow established routes to get items.
As long are a distribution warehouse is organised precisely, with items in their correct, assigned places, these systems can help speed up manufacturing and shipping tasks.
Warehouses that are required to roll out high-volume loads under tight time constraints will usually benefit from using ASRS, as they can retrieve and store stock quickly and accurately.
4. Utilising The Internet Of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a recent technological advancement, designed to process large amounts of data in real-time.
In warehousing, the main function of the IoT is to perform administrative tasks, such as efficiently managing warehouse data. The technology may also facilitate the use of smart identification, tracking, tracing, GPS systems, laser scanning, and other detection tools.
The main prerogatives of any warehouse’s operations are sales and customer satisfaction. With the aid of IoT, many warehousing facilities are seeing an improvement in financial performance, work productivity, and customer satisfaction.
5. Green Warehousing
In most cases before engaging with a supplier, you should be aware of their commitment to environmental sustainability. As consumer’s concern about the impact of climate change continues to grow, 46% say they intentionally buy sustainable products to lessen their impact on the environment.
Warehousing facilities play a significant role in the product journey, so it is important they too uphold the sustainable values of both a consumer and a brand.
Sustainable warehousing is concerned with minimising the carbon footprint, and resource efficiency, promoting employee well-being and contributing to social responsibility.
It is a business’s responsibility to achieve good environmental practices and operate sustainably. For example, you can follow this link to our environmental policy, demonstrating our commitment to reducing our environmental impact.
The Latest Innovations In Distribution Warehousing: Granby’s Services
We hope after reading this blog you feel up to date with the latest innovations in distribution warehousing.
At Granby, we operate across 77,000 sq. Ft. in distribution warehousing facilities. As a warehouse partner, we provide flexible and scalable operations, quality stock control, full traceability, accreditations, an intelligent warehousing management system, and real-time reporting.
If you would like to find out more about how we evolve with the latest innovations in distribution warehousing or would like to partner with us, feel free to contact us by calling 01254 682702 or emailing us at hello@granbymarketing.com.