Fulfilld

Great warehousing education 101 from our friends at The New Warehouse. There are nine overarching types of warehouses that we can find within the industry. Let's break them down here: ** Public warehouses ** are facilities that are owned by a third party and can be rented out to various different businesses. These are often referred to as 3PLs or third party logistics companies. They allow for more flexibility due to the ability to utilize them short-term. ** Private warehouses ** are facilities that are owned and operated by a company for their own usage. Typically retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers would utilize private warehouses. Think Amazon, Wayfair and Johnson & Johnson. ** Distribution centers ** are facilities used as a hub for receiving in goods, storing them and then distributing to other facilities or points within the supply chain. These facilities are typically focused on moving goods through them quickly and efficiently. ** Fulfillment centers ** are facilities that also receive in goods, store them and distribute them but when they distribute they are going directly to the customer. These are mostly used for the fulfillment of e-commerce orders and will be strategically placed close to the consumer for advantages around shipping service levels. ** Climate-controlled warehouses ** are facilities that have temperature and humidity regulations in place to maintain the integrity of goods. This is not necessarily refrigerated or frozen. It could simply mean the temperature is maintained so something like makeup does not melt, for example. ** Cold storage warehouses ** are facilities that are also temperature controlled but focused specifically on refrigerated or frozen temperatures. These are most commonly used for perishable goods and pharmaceutical. ** Bonded warehouses ** are facilities that are utilized for the storage of imported goods prior to customs duties being paid. There are not many of these in the United States with just around 250 compared to around 20,000 total warehouses. A company would utilize these to save costs of storing at the port or in a container. ** Cross-docking facilities ** are facilities that are utilized to facilitate the transfer of goods from inbound to outbound transportation with minimal storage time. These facilities are typically narrow with dock doors on both sides where inbound trucks arrive on one side and pallets are then consolidated on to outbound loads on the other side essentially "crossing" the dock. ** Hazmat warehouses ** are facilities that store hazardous materials in a safe and regulated manner. These facilities will include specific measures or features in place to help mitigate any risk of the hazardous material being stored inside. Thank you Kevin for sharing your knowledge!! #BeFulfilld

TL;DR: GXO Logistics, Inc. Logistics is spearheading the transformation of intelligent warehouses through its strategic partnership with Apptronik, integrating the humanoid robot Apollo into its operations. By focusing on developing #AI-enabled #robots tailored for the #logistics sector, GXO is advancing automation to handle labor-intensive processes, improve safety, and boost operational efficiency. Fulfilld's take: The integration of forward-thinker AI, #robotics / #automation, and #software are revolutionizing traditional warehousing, transforming labor-intensive tasks into more efficient and less-costly processes. This shift towards the #WarehouseOfTheFutre exemplifies the future of logistics, where advanced technology enhances productivity, safety, efficiency, and happier workers. Per Logistics Manager Magazine: “We’re excited to partner with Apptronik to develop their AI-enabled humanoid robot,” said Adrian Stoch, chief automation officer at GXO. He added: “Apollo has great potential to add value throughout the distribution centre, including the most labour-intensive operational processes. These kinds of robotics reduce repetitive work and improve safety while freeing associates to focus on higher-value-added activities.” Apptronik’s Apollo stands 5’8” tall, can reportedly carry up to 55lbs and operates on swappable batteries for maximum uptime, GXO said. The machine is powered by linear actuators that were designed to mimic human muscle mechanics, meaning Apollo offers a full range of mobility. Its force control architecture and flexible safety zone perimeter were installed to ensure it works safely alongside humans. The collaboration will focus on fine-tuning Apollo’s AI in a lab setting before deploying it to a US distribution centre. “Our mission is to build versatile robots for real-world applications,” said Jeffrey Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik. Cardenas continued: “We’re committed to helping GXO optimise its logistics operations and create a safer, more engaging workplace with Apollo. This R&D programme is essential for launching a scalable automation solution for GXO.” #BeFulfilld

TL;DR: Gartner latest research suggests #supplychain leaders should prioritize immediate risks over long-term challenges to better address resource constraints, highlighting that focusing on urgent, tangible issues drives effective action and stakeholder buy-in. Emphasizing immediate business impacts, proactive product design, and external partnerships can foster innovation and sustainable growth in supply chains. Fulfilld's take: Top two of six constraints cited (access to labor (55%) and fixed/limited capacity (45%)) provide deep insight into the near-term challenges keeping #Logistics leaders up at night. What if there was a software which tackled these concerns head-on? (Hint: Fulfilld) #BeFulfilld

TL;DR: Gartner latest research suggests #supplychain leaders should prioritize immediate risks over long-term challenges to better address resource constraints, highlighting that focusing on urgent, tangible issues drives effective action and stakeholder buy-in. Emphasizing immediate business impacts, proactive product design, and external partnerships can foster innovation and sustainable growth in supply chains. Fulfilld's take: Top two of six constraints cited (access to labor (55%) and fixed/limited capacity (45%)) provide deep insight into the near-term challenges keeping #Logistics leaders up at night. What if there was a software which tackled these concerns head-on? (Hint: Fulfilld) #BeFulfilld

🚨🥳 🎉 Please join us in welcoming Annie as a Senior Business Analyst to Fulfilld! 💃🎈🚨 Annie possesses over 20 years of hashtag #warehousing, SAP, #logistics, and business systems expertise/experience working for incredible #Fortune500 companies such as Cargill, General Motors, and Boston Scientific. Some fun facts about Annie: * Her husband, children, and she once moved SEVEN times within a two-year span, AND they were all DIY moves. 🚗🏔️🏙️ * The beach is my happy place. 🏖️ * Annie and her brother have been shipping the same M&MⓂ️back and forth to each other for several years... as a joke. 🤢 We are SO excited to welcome Annie to Team Fulfilld! 😄💙😃 #WeAreFulfilld #TeamAwesome

🚨🚨🚨The New Warehouse Pod Drop 🚨🚨🚨 Check out Kevin's newest pod featuring PepsiCo Labs leader Anna Farberov Some Key Takeaways: * PepsiCo controls its supply chain from “seed to shelf” allowing targeted innovations with significant impacts. * Focusing on solving specific business problems ensures relevant and impactful technological adoption. *Centering innovations around employees enhances efficiency while improving the work environment. #BeFulfilld

🚨🚨🚨The New Warehouse Pod Drop 🚨🚨🚨 Check out Kevin's newest pod featuring PepsiCo Labs leader Anna Farberov Some Key Takeaways: * PepsiCo controls its supply chain from “seed to shelf” allowing targeted innovations with significant impacts. * Focusing on solving specific business problems ensures relevant and impactful technological adoption. *Centering innovations around employees enhances efficiency while improving the work environment. #BeFulfilld

TL;DR: Microsoft and Arvato are teaming up to design a self-managing #warehouse that uses #AI, #robotics, and cloud computing. This "Moonshot" project aims to automate warehouse tasks and improve efficiency through AI-powered features like optimized picking routes and automated complaint processing. Fulfilld's take: This partnered project is a promising step towards smarter warehouses... a "warehouse of the future." The combo of bleeding-edge innovation promises efficiency and productivity gain. The focus on self-improvement through AI learning is particularly exciting for the future of logistics. #LoveIt Per DC Velocity: Software giant Microsoft Corp. will team with the German supply chain management and e-commerce solution provider Arvato to develop plans for a “self-managing warehouse of the future,” powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and cloud computing, the partners said today. The “Moonshot” research project aims to implement self-improving processes within the warehouse environment, and will be presented at the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2024 being held this June in Barcelona.   “We launched the Moonshot project with Microsoft in March, aiming for the ambitious goal of creating an autonomous warehouse," Paul Brolly, vice president of global business development at Arvato, said in a release. "Our approach involves examining various warehouse processes to automate and enhance them through robotics, digitalization, and AI. The focus isn't solely on individual processes. In the future, AI could handle the initial overall warehouse layout for new orders based on customer requirements, which we would then refine with our expertise. This approach saves time and effort.” According to Brolly, Microsoft will contribute its expertise in data platforms, compute capacities, Gen AI forecasting, computer vision, augmented reality, and cognitive services like speech recognition and text analysis.  Practical applications of the Moonshot project could include use cases such as optimizing picking routes using AI to reorganize task orders through rapid data analysis, thus enhancing navigation for pickers. Another use case would involve AI-controlled interpretation of carrier responses in transport complaints, triggering appropriate actions in the claim management tool and freeing up resources by reducing manual complaint processing to three to four percent. #BeFulfilld

Active/busy/productive/fun Fulfilld week focused (ruthlessly) on building product; delivering to clients; driving partnership; and growing team. This week's Fulfilld update. And away we go... New Teammates: Rockstars Annas and Parker just joined our team to bolster our already strong engineering firepower. With the additional funding (from Freestyle Capital), we are growing rapidly to meet both existing and near-term needs. #WeAreHiring Google Marketplace: As part of our commitment to #GoogleCloudPlatform and the commitment to the Google Eco-system, we are working on bringing our products to Google's Marketplace. Thanks so much CloudWerx, April Cobb, and entire team helping us work towards this amazing milestone. Deloitte: We couldn't be more proud, excited, and lucky to be partnering with one of the world's strongest Business and Technology Consulting leaders. Thank you Wanda, Piyush, Jack Grahek, and the entire Deloitte team in supporting our delivery of Fulfilld's product suite (Intelligent WMS and Intelligent Slotting). (More INCREDIBLE news to come!!) Holman Logistics: Awesome collaboration in full swing with Holman and partner Third Wave Automation (https://lnkd.in/gvgGWV3X). Can't wait to integrate our #WMS with TWA realizing Brien's vision of #WarehouseOfTheFuture Wishing everyone a great weekend. #BeFulfilld

TL;DR: Facing competition and rising costs, Amazon is revamping its #logistics network by strategically leasing #warehouses across the US. This shift towards regionalized fulfillment centers with a wider inventory spread aims to decrease delivery times and transportation expenses. This geographically distributed network could be Amazon's answer to rivals like Walmart and low-cost online retailers like SHEIN and Temu. Fulfilld's take: Intriguing shift from of the world's leaders for sure. Their strategic move to EXPAND their #warehousing footprint... as opposed to shrinking it... could signal/tip other #Fortune500's towards a similar approach. #NotBettingAgainstAmazon Per The Wall Street Journal: Amazon so far this year has leased, bought or announced plans for more than 16 million square feet of new warehouse space in the U.S., according to Canadian supply-chain consulting firm MWPVL International Inc. International. That adds to the company’s existing footprint of roughly 413 million square feet of industrial real estate across North America as of Dec. 31, according to company filings. Some of the new sites are massive facilities of more than 1 million square feet meant for storing large quantities of inventory, while others are less than 100,000 square feet and used to stage packages for final delivery to customers. The company over the past year has overhauled the domestic shipping network that has been the backbone of its rapid growth in online commerce. The highly centralized network that essentially treated its national distribution network as an enormous warehouse serving the entire country is giving way to nine regions designed to operate self-sufficiently.   The strategy is to place goods closer to consumers, to get everything from toasters to T-shirts delivered from nearby fulfillment centers rather than flying the goods long distances around the country. The changes are meant to accelerate delivery to get more packages to customers within a day or even hours, while cutting spending on transportation. Amazon said it increased the number of orders delivered on the same day or the next day in the U.S. by more than 65% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with the previous year. #BeFulfilld