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

On this episode, Chad Warzecha sits down with Giles Taylor, President of Trans-Solutions Consulting. Giles shares his experience and insights on how businesses can optimize their shipping strategies, the importance of data accuracy and the nuances of negotiating with carriers.

Key Takeaways:

[06:43] The importance of accurate data — algorithms are only a benefit if you have good information.

[08:14] The indirect costs of shipping. It’s not just about direct shipping rates but also how well a company manages the back office functions and pays attention to product weight, dimensions and packaging.

[09:08] Misconceptions about shipping rates: Bigger spend doesn’t always mean better pricing.

[11:05] Timing matters in negotiations. Like buying a car, the time of year can influence carrier negotiations.

[12:15] Sales reps don’t always get you the best rates.

[12:43] The importance of benchmarking: Having visibility to the pricing of other companies with similar freight is crucial.

[15:58] Diversifying carriers can be a strategic advantage and drive down costs.

[18:50] Always be open to reassessing contracts based on market changes. It is possible to do this.

[19:30] Be on top of market rates and be ready to renegotiate.

[21:14] Giles’ top tip for immediate action: Get a second opinion on your rates.

Resources Mentioned:

Giles Taylor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-taylor-5a768/

Trans-Solutions Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/trans-solutions-consulting/

Trans-Solutions | Website - http://www.trans-solutions.com

"5 Things Small Parcel Carriers DON’T Want You to Know" - https://22211407.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22211407/5-Things-Carriers-Dont-Want-You-To-Know-fnl.pdf

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, host Harry Drajpuch is joined by Simon Rakosi, Co-Founder and COO at Butterfly.ai, to talk about common labor management challenges in fulfillment operations and the role of Butterfly.ai in addressing these challenges. 

They explore the issue of high turnover rates in warehousing and the significance of engaging and retaining frontline workers. Butterfly.ai’s data-driven approach to gathering real-time employee feedback and promoting conversations within teams can help with talent retention.

Managing temporary workers and the importance of fostering a sense of purpose for employees are critical in today’s workplace. Transparent communication with employees, even when immediate requests can’t be fulfilled, is critical for loyalty in the workplace. The emotional needs of employees, such as feeling valued and respected, also have an impact on retention.

Butterfly.ai’s workforce assessment program uses a survey-based approach to understanding employee sentiments, emphasizing transparency and accountability in real-time insights for managers and supervisors. 

Resources mentioned:

Simon Rakosi - https://www.linkedin.com/in/srakosi/

Butterfly.ai - http://Butterfly.ai

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, host Harry Drajpuch is joined by Ashley Zager, Senior Director of Operations at Siddhi Capital, to talk about the intricacies of efficient order fulfillment and successful warehouse management.

Ashley says that while customization and unique packaging experiences are desirable, over-customization can lead to operational complexities. Streamlining packaging options and utilizing repeatable solutions not only ensures a consistent unboxing experience but also optimizes efficiency and cost savings.

She shares a success story where she saved a brand $10,000 per week by strategically mixing carriers and methods of shipping, taking advantage of shared contracts with the fulfillment center.

It’s important to align technology and processes with the fulfillment center's operations. By understanding the warehouse's workflow and integrating technology that aligns with it, brands can expedite order processing, minimize errors and improve overall operational efficiency.

Ashley believes in collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and she always considers the holistic impact of sustainability initiatives. Working in tandem with the fulfillment center and using technology to bridge the gap between marketing and operations can lead to smoother operations, cost savings and a better customer experience.

Resources mentioned:

Ashley Zager - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aezager/

Siddhi Capital - https://www.linkedin.com/company/siddhi-capital/about/

Siddhi Capital | Website - https://www.siddhicapital.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

On this episode, host Harry Drajpuch is joined by Charles Lunden, VP of Strategic Planning, Operations and Ecommerce at 32 Degrees — an activewear-inspired collection geared towards department stores and specialty stores.

The 32 Degrees business model is based on high volume and low price. This requires a strong focus on numbers. Charles draws on his background in buying, planning, merchandising and operations to help him handle forecasting effectively.

Harry and Charles discuss the importance of communication, along with alignment between marketing and operations, to avoid disconnects. It’s important to constantly update forecasts and maintain a balance between short-term and long-term growth goals. 

When discussing the software or tools used for forecasting, Charles advocates for simplicity, as it makes it easier to understand why forecasts are correct or incorrect. 

While AI-driven tools have their advantages, he prefers a more hands-on approach. This allows him to incorporate domain knowledge and to better understand the factors influencing demand.

Data is important for Charles, but there are instances where intuitive knowledge and soft forecasting play crucial roles, especially in understanding customer behavior or matching product combinations.

Resources mentioned:

Charles Lunden - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleslunden/

32 Degrees - https://www.linkedin.com/company/32-degrees/

32 Degrees | Website - https://www.32degrees.com/

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, host Harry Drajpuch, CEO of Amware Fulfillment, is joined by Wayne Chapman, CEO at Staci UK,  the UK's top multi-channel logistics provider. Staci is Amware’s parent company.

Wayne and Harry discuss the ongoing challenges and opportunities facing online sellers who want to expand to new overseas markets. UK-based Wayne says Brexit has not been as quickly forgotten as anticipated, with economic impacts from Covid-19 and the Ukraine war adding complexity to cross-border trade. 

The two also discussed the trigger points for establishing a distribution point in a new country. Obviously, projected order volumes must be sufficient to warrant the expansion. Then it’s a question of examining service and cost. On the service side, a US-based e-retailer with local distribution in the UK will go from a 5-10 day order-to-delivery cycle time to next day. Many consumers want that level of service – especially for products they can get elsewhere. You need to balance the incremental revenue this enhanced service will bring with the added costs for inbound freight to the new warehouse and the storage/pick-and-pack costs. 

Brands expanding to Europe may likely establish a central warehouse to serve multiple countries. Where to put the central DC is obviously an important question, with service and cost implications. One of Staci’s advantages is that the company has fulfillment centers across Europe and can put products where it makes the most economic sense given the ship-to points.  

Wayne says managing eCommerce returns can be particularly vexing for brands without a local distribution presence. 

As far as the timeline for brands to start shipping in a new country or region once they have engaged a 3PL, Wayne says that integration process will vary based on complexity, with a standard eCommerce integration typically taking around four weeks.

Resources mentioned:

Wayne Chapman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-chapman-0856963/?originalSubdomain=uk

Staci UK - https://www.linkedin.com/company/staciuk/

Staci UK | Website - https://uk.staci.com/

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