All Warehouse Services

Will Robots Put an End to Holiday Hiring in the Warehouse?

November 21, 2016

For retailers and distribution centers, the traditional method for coping with the chaos of the Christmas buying season has been to throw more bodies at the problem. But what if robots could do a better job of handling the surge of activity?

Amazon Limiting Fulfillment Networks to Existing Merchants Ahead of Holiday Season

October 28, 2016

MultiChannel Merchant

In an attempt to deal with potential network capacity issues this holiday season, Amazon is limiting the use of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) warehouses and services to existing sellers between now and Dec. 19, the company confirmed. This means new sellers would have difficulty using FBA to fulfill last-minute Christmas orders.

5 Tips for Moving Beyond the Traditional Warehouse Management System

October 27, 2016

RIS News

For decades, companies have relied on warehouse management systems (WMS) to control inventory and material handling processes within their warehouses. Historically, retail distribution centers have been built upon plans that included predetermined transportation routes that outlined the number of stores on a route, what product those stores would get and the quantity and configuration of those products. Consequently, distribution centers have had similar designs, process methodologies and IT infrastructures for years. E-commerce has changed the game, though.

FedEx to Invest €1.4Bn in Paris Airport Facility Overhaul

October 27, 2016

Air Cargo World

FedEx Express is expanding its distribution hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport with a €200m ($217.38m) investment in technology and automation, and a €1.2bn ($1.3bn), 30-year lease. The 30-year lease underscores the long-term importance of the European Union to the company's long-term plans. Once completed, FedEx said the upgrade will increase sorting capacity by 40 percent.

3D Printer Sales to Double This Year, Analysts Say

October 26, 2016

Supply Management

There will be a doubling in the number of 3D printers shipped this year, according to analysts. Gartner predicts 455,772 units will ship in 2016, compared to 219,168 in 2015, as firms use the technology to create prototypes, augment manufacturing processes and produce finished goods.

Reebok's Liquid Factory Could Change Process and Speed of Footwear Creation

October 26, 2016

Apparel

A new generation of footwear manufacturing, spearheaded by Bill McInnis, head of future at Reebok and a former NASA engineer, is allowing the fitness brand to design and create a high performance athletic shoe faster and more efficiently than ever before, the company says.

Robot Sews Entire Garment for First Time, Startup Announces

October 24, 2016

Apparel

Startup Sewbo has announced that it used a robot to sew a T-shirt, producing the world's first robotically-sewn garment, which could mark a significant change for the global garment industry.

Amazon Adding 120,000 Workers To Meet Holiday Demand

October 21, 2016

CRM Daily

The holidays are coming, and Amazon says it plans to add 120,000 seasonal workers in an effort to meet an expected spike in demand as more and more people trade bricks for clicks. The seasonal positions will be created at fulfillment centers, sorting centers and customer service sites in 27 states. The move marks a 20 percent boost from the 100,000 seasonal hires a year ago.

Industrial Automation Software Accelerates DC's Shipping, Improves Accuracy, Increases Speed

October 18, 2016

Challenge: High-volume publisher was experiencing high growth, increasing demand, and a rotating, diminishing workforce. They needed to automate their manual operation to reduce reliance on labor, increase speed and earn substantial shipping discounts.

DHL Express Opens Automated Leipzig Sorting Center

October 18, 2016

Air Cargo World

To meet the demands of the international markets, DHL Express opened its automated sorting center at its newly expanded facility in Leipzig. The new equipment adds to the German facility's airfreight capacity by about 50 percent, to 150,000 shipments per hour, and enables DHL to handle bulkier and heavier items.