On this episode, host Austin Feagins, Senior Director of Customer Solutions at Amware Fulfillment, is joined by Bruce Strahan, Partner at Argon & Co, and Zachary Hess, Consultant at Argon & Co. They discuss the importance of associate engagement in the lead up to and launch of new warehouse process changes, including automation.  

Key Takeaways:

(02:24) Labor issues are a common challenge for companies, leading to an interest in automation.

(03:07) Automation is often a solution, but understanding and optimizing baseline processes is crucial before implementing it.

(05:33) A common mistake companies make is rushing acceptance testing during go-lives.

(06:02) Proper training on new systems is essential for successful implementation.

(09:18) Associate buy-in is critical when introducing new technology; it can be facilitated through gamification.  Argon uses a process they call “game day” to stress test new system in an interesting way for associates.

(10:13) Game days stress test operations and engage associates in new processes or software.

(14:03) Individual engagement of associates is key to a successful rollout of new processes or tools.

(17:00) Management's understanding and engagement with new technology are as important as that of associates.

(19:57) International expansion requires considering local labor issues and the propensity for automation.

(22:18) The future of B2C fulfillment will likely see increased comfort with automation and third-party logistics.

Resources Mentioned:

Bruce Strahan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-strahan-8b831/

Zachary Hess - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hess-3b800b118/

Argon & Co | Website - https://www.argonandco.com/en/

Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern Ecommerce Order Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.

#logistics #supplychain #fulfillment #ecommerce #B2C

On this episode, Chad Warzecha is joined by industry expert, Joe McIntyre, Founder and Principal of Twelve48. The two explore the complexities and challenges of managing the relationship between brands and their outsourced fulfillment services providers. The episode gets into common relationship management mistakes and what brands need to do to maximize the benefits of the outsourced partnership.  

Key Takeaways:

(02:59) Ecommerce return: logistics and complexities.

(06:09) Building trust and navigating decisions in early-stage 3PL engagements.

(09:16) Adapting 3PL relationships for evolving business demands.

(15:51) Balancing 3PL technology integration and operational execution in SMEs.

(20:04) The importance of mutual investment in shipper-3PL relationships.

(24:45) Shifting from transactional to partnership-based relationships in D2C Fulfillment.

(27:53) Understanding business needs: speed vs. storage in fulfillment choices.

Resources Mentioned:

Joe McIntyre - https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmcintyre7/

Twelve48’s | Website - https://www.twelve48.co/

Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern Ecommerce Order Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.

#logistics #supplychain #fulfillment #ecommerce #B2C

In this episode, Chad Warzecha sits down with Channa Ranatunga, Co-Founder and CEO of Rabot. They go deep into the intricacies of the packout process in eCommerce fulfillment, the challenges faced by fulfillment centers, and how technology transforming the QC process..

Key Takeaways:

(07:41) The importance of bridging the gap between manual and automated processes in packout operations.

(08:19) Real-world scenarios highlighting the challenges faced by operations teams and the need for visibility.

(09:18) The disconnect between sales teams and operations, and the impact of siloed operations on the packout process.

(10:40) Introduction to Rabot's digital SOP and its role in streamlining packing processes.

(14:35) The dual benefits of Rabot: improving operational efficiency and reducing errors.

(18:09) Rabot's journey from proof of concept to a mature platform, with over 42 million orders processed.

(20:05) The significance of the unboxing experience for brands and consumers in today's ecommerce landscape.

(25:17) The advantages of having visibility across multiple fulfillment facilities and the importance of trust in 3PL relationships.

Resources Mentioned:

Channa Ranatunga - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rchanna/

Rabot's | Website - http://RABOT.us

Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern Ecommerce Order Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.

#logistics #supplychain #fulfillment #ecommerce #B2C