Order picking is the process of pulling inventory in the warehouse to fill a customer order. "Given the centrality of the order fulfillment function, order picking and replenishment operations often represent more than 50% of total DC labor costs. As a result, if a shipper can speed-up its order picking operations it can increase volume and reduce distribution costs as a percent of sales" (Supply Chain Digest).

Inbound and outbound warehouses are the bridges that drive flow in the supply chain. But designing one is a complicated process with building, financial, and storage factors. Here are four lists of criteria to consider when undergoing a warehouse design:

Lean and six sigma are industry-recognized philosophies for business improvement.  When applied to supply chain, they can drive impactful results. While six sigma is highly process-focused, supply chain is focused on the entire value stream, from process to process. This can present challenges in applying six sigma in a supply chain environment.  Lean six sigma combines both lean and six sigma methodologies together, in order to eliminate waste and improve upon processes. This can be done through reducing waste caused by transportation, inventory, motion, waiting, overproduction and over-processing, as well as minimizing defects in manufactured products.

The “Amazon effect,” is demanding more out of supply chains everywhere. This new white paper breaks down that effect, implications for business leaders across all industries, and things to consider before following suit.

"From trans-oceanic freight to truck driver shortages, from deteriorating domestic infrastructure to last mile headaches, the furniture industry faces supply chain bottlenecks that create a disconnect between manufacturer and retailer abilities and consumer expectations." - Furniture Today Magazine

The “Amazon effect,” is demanding more out of supply chains everywhere. In this new white paper, LeanCor Consulting Director, Brent Rogers, breaks down that effect, implications for business leaders across all industries, and things to consider before following suit.

It should come as no surprise that incorporating training courses when deploying lean across an organization is an effective way to sustain a lean culture. But the traditional in-class training format often poses several challenges: removing team members from daily work tasks, logistics, procuring a facilitator, budget approvals, and more. Another challenge is the sheer amount of knowledge participants are expected to retain in one sitting.  And if the training isn’t followed by application work and accountability, the result for the organization is minimal-to-no return on investment. So what options are available to counteract these challenges?

This white paper contains excerpts from the recently published business book Discovering Hidden Profit, co-authored by Peter J. Marks and Robert O. Martichenko.

LeanCor is among a select group of companies whose customers recognize them for providing outstanding solutions and services.