Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern Ecommerce Order Fulfillment Podcast: Recent Episodes
None
On Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern Ecommerce Order Fulfillment Podcast - we talk with top operations leaders about the order fulfillment challenges facing B2C brands today.
We discuss common problems faced by growing brands – and how to fix them. Hosts Chad Warzecha, Harry Drajpuch, and their guests provide practical advice about managing fulfillment that listeners can put to use right away.
Possible topics would include: - Managing order volatility - Warehouse automation - Controlling parcel shipping costs - Receiving and inventory management - Choosing the right order picking method - Use of technology in the warehouse - Product packaging - Attracting and keeping a quality workforce - When to change fulfillment providers
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
On this episode, host Harry Drajpuch is joined by Donald Derewecki, Senior Consultant at St. Onge Company, a globally recognized supply chain strategy and logistics consulting firm.
Donald sees technological advances in automation moving toward better, faster and cheaper in the future. For companies to stay competitive with their fulfillment operations, they will need to embrace the changes.
One soft benefit of having the latest technology is that it makes your company attractive to top talent. The best workers want to be where they can learn, grow and be on the leading edge, not where they do repetitive, mundane tasks.
No single technology is right for every company. Thorough planning and analysis is critical to successfully implementing new automation tools that support future growth projections.
Companies need to leverage the tools available to scale fulfillment operations. A spreadsheet analysis is no longer relevant. Companies need to go through computer simulations to design an efficient operations system plan that will propel their business into the future.
Resources mentioned:
Donald Derewecki - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldderewecki/
St. Onge Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/st.-onge-company/
St. Onge | Website - https://www.stonge.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 is joined by David Teeple, Director of Client Services at Sedlak Supply Chain Consultants, a comprehensive supply chain and distribution logistics advisory firm that has been in business since 1958.
David sees robotics and automation as being widely misunderstood in the industry. While they are useful tools, he says you still have to think through the process to leverage automation properly, so that it is flexible and scalable as your operation evolves.
Robots and automation are becoming more prevalent in fulfillment operations, and David sees more redundant and repetitive jobs, like loading and unloading trucks, being taken over by automation tools.
It’s important that leaders in fulfillment operations teach associates that automation is nothing to fear. Those tools are there to make everyone’s jobs easier and more interesting.
As AI tools become more common, many HR departments are leaning into the coolness factor of working with robotics to attract and retain talent.
Resources mentioned:
David Teeple - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidteeple/
Sedlak Supply Chain Consultants - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidteeple/
Sedlak - https://www.jasedlak.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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Jeff Hamilton, Partner at LIDD Consultants, a global consulting firm with expertise in supply chain strategy, technology, distribution center design and physical infrastructure implementation.
Jeff and his team put a big focus on data capture when consulting with new clients; for example, designing a new warehouse for a growing ecommerce brand. They work with clients to make sure they get the right data so they can pull meaningful insights to help in their design process.
They also do on-site visits to the existing facilities to get a feel for how they run their fulfillment operations. LIDD’s clients generally fall into the $20 - $500 million range, and everyone has a different way of doing things.
Jeff believes that strategy is important, but one mistake he often sees is leaders making strategy 100% of the equation. An amazing strategy doesn’t do any good if it’s coupled with poor execution.
Resources mentioned:
Jeff Hamilton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hamilton-77302966/
LIDD Consultants - https://www.linkedin.com/company/lidd-consultants/
LIDD Consultants | Website - https://lidd.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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Meredith Hanrahan, Director of Customer Delivery at The Numina Group, a company that offers consulting services and material handling solutions to provide organizations with process improvements to reduce warehouse labor costs, eliminate errors and increase order throughput.
Meredith is heavily involved in project implementation, so offers good tips on what to do, and not to do, to manage projects smoothly.
Meredith’s team has implemented a wide range of automation projects. She is a big advocate for voice picking, and says that it is one of the more popular solutions in automation today. It’s quick and easy training for operators, and it can increase picking accuracy up to 99.5%.
She advises companies to carefully plan out when their automation project launches. You don’t want to go online two weeks before peak season. There are too many things that can go wrong. She gives some tips on avoiding that outcome.
With warehouse automation projects, she is sensitive to budget constraints, especially at smaller operations, and she talks about the importance of getting a handle on your data so that when you’re ready to automate, you can do it cheaper and faster.
Resources mentioned:
Meredith Hanrahan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-hanrahan-87696139/
The Numina Group - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-numina-group/
Numina Group | Website - https://numinagroup.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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Jackie Wu, Founder and CEO at Corvus Robotics, a manufacturer of drones used for fully automated inventory management in the warehouse.
Jackie and his team build their own vehicles and other hardware, and they write their own software to maintain complete control over the way their drones work for inventory management. The drones have multiple sensors and cameras on them, as well as an industrial-grade scanner that can read barcodes that may be ripped or otherwise damaged.
The most obvious benefit that the drone system brings is a dramatic increase in inventory accuracy. Additionally, there are substantial savings in labor costs because the drones can replace most, or all, human workers traditionally needed to physically count inventory in the warehouse racks.
The way Jackie and his team look at it is that cycle counts and physical inventories are substantially augmented with drone technology. Instead of hiring a hundred people and having to pay overtime, these tasks can be performed by a much smaller team.
It’s new technology, but there is tremendous market interest. Corvus is always looking for ways to improve and add new features.
Jackie Wu - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wujackie/
Corvus Robotics - https://www.linkedin.com/company/corvus-robotics/
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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Kait Peterson, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Locus Robotics, a company that designs and builds autonomous mobile robots (AMR) that work collaboratively alongside workers in the logistics and fulfillment industries.
Kait says that the decision to invest in automation and robots is now a WHEN, versus IF, question. Companies that have already made those investments are really starting to reap the benefits, and companies that are still waiting in the wings are starting to be left behind.
One program that is helping drive automation upgrades is Robots as a Service (RaaS). Kait explains how companies can put robots in place in a matter of weeks without having to go to the board of directors to get approval for a multimillion dollar expenditure.
Kait touches on two mistakes she sees as companies take on automation. The first is not having an automation strategy, which leads to poor execution. The second is being slow to scale and not having the commitment to go all-in with robots.
Learn more about Locus Robotics at their website.
Kait Peterson | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitvinson/
Locus Robotics | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/locus-robotics/
Locus Robotics | Website - https://locusrobotics.com/
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C 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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Dr. Jack Peck, President and CEO at FastFetch Corporation — a company that provides a revolutionary, multimodal order-fulfillment system combining light-directed, voice and wireless barcode scanning technologies.
Jack earned his doctorate from the University of Louisiana, went on to become a professor at Clemson, then retired and started his own business based on patents he received on ways to improve order fulfillment.
The conversation covers the many new technologies available for order picking and processing. Jack talks us through the good, the bad and the ugly of each process.
He addresses the problems some companies run into with voice-picking applications, and gives alternative solutions to people experiencing those problems. He takes a deep dive into pick-to-light and goes through some potential pitfalls companies might encounter with that technology.
The discussion turns to AMRs, which are getting a lot of hype these days, and Jack gives some tips on efficiently using that technology. He wraps up by talking about the technology he sees coming to order fulfillment in the future.
Dr. Jack Peck - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-jack-peck-b317923/
FastFetch Corporation - https://www.linkedin.com/company/fastfetch-corp/
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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Rod Franklin, Professor and Academic Director of Executive Education at the Kuehne Logistics University — an international university for global industry located in Hamburg, Germany.
Rod talks about the differences between Europe and the US when it comes to attracting and retaining workers, and the use of technology and automation to eliminate menial work from human resources.
Rod says last-mile delivery is similar in Europe vs the US, with around 80% of all the deliveries being carried out by the major carriers. For the remaining deliveries, Europe sees a lot more marginal last-mile delivery mechanisms, like electric bikes or robotics delivery.
Packaging is changing in Europe, and the changes can often be traced back to various environmental regulations that are being put into place. There is a lot less waste in packaging in Europe compared to the US.
Rod Franklin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrodfranklin/
Kuehne Logistics University - https://www.linkedin.com/school/kuehne-logistics-university/
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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Robyn Meyer, Vice President, Solutions, at Transportation Insight, a company that ranks among North America’s top 10 largest logistics companies.
When it comes to parcel transportation, Robyn sees many opportunities for smaller shippers that didn’t exist before. In companies where people have to wear many hats, to help bring down costs, they can now tap into third-party companies for business intelligence and data analytics.
She gives some real-world examples of how smaller shippers have saved money through a few tweaks in their shipping agreements; or by managing customer behavior or tapping into historical data to get cost-saving insights.
The focus of major carriers (specifically UPS and FedEx) has shifted in the past years to small and medium businesses. Robyn offers some great tips on how SMBs can take advantage of this shift to reduce costs.
Robyn also sees many shippers going cross-border, especially to Canada. She talks about the differences in shipping there and what mistakes shippers make that could be avoided.
Robyn Myer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-mcallister-meyer-itcc-972a3a5/
Transportation Insight - https://www.linkedin.com/company/transportation-insight/
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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Matthew Hertz, Founder of Second Marathon Consulting, to talk about how his company helps brands find the right order fulfillment partner.
Early in his career, Matthew found it hard to identify the right 3PL partner. Recognizing an unmet need in the market, he and his partner were inspired to form Second Marathon Consulting.
Matthew talks about his time as one of the first employees at both Birchbox and Rent the Runway, two companies that experienced explosive growth. He shares some lessons learned along the way about operational execution and some of the ways, he admits, that they got lucky.
He stresses the importance of frequent and open communication with your 3PL partner to ensure a successful relationship for both parties.
Matt closes with some words of advice on optimizing your checkout process as a way to reduce your cart abandonment rate, specifically when it comes to shipping.
Matthew Hertz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hertz/
Second Marathon Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/second-marathon/
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C 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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Lori Gibson, Director of Consulting Services at Hy-Tek Intralogistics Consulting, a supply chain operations consultancy that provides clients with cost-effective, service-focused solutions.
The topic of discussion is the best way to calculate ROI for warehouse automation. This is something Lori has been working on for a long time, and it all starts with a technology assessment to determine what kind of automation is right for the situation.
Several factors go into determining the right automation fit. One is capacity constraints, and how that might affect labor costs and the number of employees. Another factor is throughput, and how technology might ease some pain there.
Lori warns against getting excited about shiny, new things. It is critical to carry out a full assessment of your situation before spending money on new technology. The new system that is a game changer for one company may not be a poor fit for another.
Lori Gibson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-gibson-162212156/
Hy-Tek Intralogistics Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hy-tek-intralogistics/
Chad and Lori discuss the different factors that go into an ROI calculation and how to make a case for automation to your organization.
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 Chad Warzecha is joined by Joe Wilkinson, Vice President of Professional Services at Intelligent Audit, a technology services company focused on reducing transportation costs through automated audit and freight recovery, business intelligence, and contract negotiation solutions.
Joe talks about the carriers’ claims that recent parcel rate hikes were to better align these rates with the actual cost to deliver the service. He says that carrier financials don’t necessarily support this price hike rationale and gives some statistics to back up his point.
He shares some stories from the tough times in 2020 and 2021 when capacity tightened, noting that the companies that came out of it in the best shape were the ones that had already diversified their carrier bases.
He talks at length about diversification and national vs. regional carriers, and how to manage the maze of possibilities in order to achieve a cost-effective solution that also addresses service requirements.
Parcel costs represent the largest portion of total fulfillment costs, so focusing here provides the most bang for the buck in terms of savings. Joe provides advice that leverages his experience not only as a parcel shipping consultant, but as a pricing analyst with FedEx.
Joe Wilkinson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedwilkinson/
Intelligent Audit - https://www.linkedin.com/company/intelligent-audit/
Learn more about Intelligent Audit at their website.
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C 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 Austin Feagins welcomes Keith Swiednicki, a global operations consultant who’s designed supply chain optimization solutions on over 500 projects. His company, Keith Swiednicki International, specializes in developing and implementing supply chain, distribution and logistics solutions to help companies provide world-class service and increase efficiency levels.
Keith talks about how a global perspective opens new ways of thinking about the best solutions for different markets. He also touches on the labor shortage and he points out that it’s a challenge that has been going on since before the pandemic.
He takes an in-depth look at investing in new technologies and automation to increase efficiency in logistics operations, and the critical role that having relevant data plays in the decision-making process on where to invest. He also gives insights on dealing with sales reps when you are looking to upgrade your tech stack.
Austin Feagins - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinfeagins/
Keith Swiednicki - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithswiednicki/
Keith Swiednicki International - https://www.linkedin.com/company/keith-swiednicki-international-inc-/
KSI Website - https://ksinternational.me/
Learn more about Keith Swiednicki and his services at the KSI website.
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C 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 Austin Feagins is joined by Chad Thibodeaux, Global Account Manager at BEUMER Group — an international leader in the manufacture of intralogistics systems for conveying, loading, palletizing, packaging, sortation and distribution.
Chad emphasizes the importance of data when it comes to designing the best system for getting packages where they need to be in an efficient manner. Take the time up front to gather that data, it will save you time down the road.
Chad also dives into the importance of internal discussion when it comes to system improvements. If the voices at the top don’t talk to the voices on the floor, it can be a recipe for disaster.
Austin Feagins - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinfeagins/
Chad Thibodeaux - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-thibodeaux-1514401/
BEUMER Group |LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/beumer-group-/
BEUMER Group Website - https://www.beumergroup.com/
Learn more about BEUMER Group and its services at the website.
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C 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 welcomes Susan Rider, President of Rider & Associates.
Susan has had a long and distinguished career in fulfillment operations, and she talks about her journey in working with businesses to help them optimize their fulfillment operations.
She takes a deep dive into automation and the correct way to evaluate and implement automation in the warehouse.. In her consulting practice, Susan sees a lot of mistakes in this area, usually because a company decide to automate before really thinking through exactly what they want to achieve for the business and how a particular automation strategy would help them.
Susan also talks enthusiastically about SaaS offerings and how small and medium-sized companies can use this model to gain access to very sophisticated technology and compete more effectively with much larger organizations.
Finally, she talks about leadership and the importance of keeping your team members happy and engaged.
Susan Rider - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-rider-427926/
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C 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, we’re joined by Jim Tompkins, Founder and Chairman at Tompkins Ventures, a consultancy that matches brands with the right partners to drive innovation and competitive advantage. Jim is a thought leader in all aspects of supply chain, has written 31 books and has spoken at over 2,000 events.
Jim talks about some of the biggest mistakes companies make in the supply chain space, including putting structure before strategy, not knowing what the true customer requirements are, and not recognizing that the requirements for implementing a new contract are always going to change.
We take a deep dive into technology and automation, and Jim discusses the right way to automate a fulfillment warehouse, especially when labor is tight
Jim hammers home the importance of accepting diversity within your organization, and how treating people with respect and listening to them, no matter what their position is in the company, is a win for everyone.
logistics #supplychain #fulfillment #ecommerce #b2c
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Ecommerce Order Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
On the latest episode, host Harry Drajpuch is joined by Jason Franklin, Director of Sales and Marketing at TZA, which provides labor management software and solutions. Harry and Jason take a deep dive into labor management from Jason’s point of view as a labor management expert.
Jason points out that labor management in today’s workplace is much more than scheduling and payroll. The members of today’s workforce want to understand how their roles affect the bottom line and how they can help the company achieve its business objectives.
A good labor management program empowers team members with motivational tools and incentives to help the company succeed. A more engaged workforce is a more productive workforce, and management needs to adapt to this new reality or risk losing their best workers.
Learn more about TZA and their services at their website - https://www.tza.com/
Jason Franklin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlfranklin/
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C 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 the latest episode, we’re joined by Jack Ampuja, President at Supply Chain Optimizers. We discuss the considerable cost-saving opportunities associated with packaging optimization in e-commerce and the problems that occur in the industry.
One of the biggest mistakes online sellers make is relying on the wrong person for advice. For example, consumer product firms often assume that marketing teams should make the fundamental decisions on the packaging used to ship products. But marketing is not thinking about how packaging impacts the upstream costs like warehousing and shipping.
Packaging itself may represent 10% of the total cost of fulfillment. But it has a significant impact on the other 90% of the costs. For instance, reducing the weight of an eCommerce shipment by 4 ounces could generate 5-figure or even 6-figure savings in parcel transportation annually depending on the volume. Packaging is too often an afterthought for online sellers but, as a cost-saving initiative, it represents huge low-hanging fruit.
Learn more about Supply Chain Optimizers and how Jack and his team can help you with fulfillment by visiting their website.
Supply Chain Optimizers - www.supplychainoptimizers.com
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C 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
This week’s episode is a little different. Harry Drajpuch, Chief Executive Officer at Amware Fulfillment, joined to discuss how to get the most out of your 3PL fulfillment provider and turn that relationship into an advantage for your business.
Harry’s first piece of advice: set KPIs that are relevant and realistic. You can do a lot of wheel-spinning measuring and following up on KPIs that really won’t move the needle for the business.
Next, it’s advisable to treat the relationship as highly strategic. That means investing time to educate the 3PL on long-term business plans and other information that provides them the ammunition needed to make proactive recommendations.
In line with this, there must be a regular communications cadence, such as weekly meetings that allows the parties to discuss not only performance metrics, but also general information like the health of the business and how sales are trending.
Harry and host, Chad Warzecha, also talk about the importance of clarity in the contract. When issues arise, such as an inventory discrepancy, you want to refer to a contract that clearly details where the responsibility lies. It’s worth the extra time to iron out these details at the outset.
Discover how to get the most out of your 3PL fulfillment provider by tuning into the latest episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast with Harry Drajpuch, Chief Executive Officer at Amware Fulfillment and Chad Warzecha, VP of Strategy and Operations.
Amware Fulfillment - https://www.amwarelogistics.com/
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C 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 latest episode, we speak with Jeffrey Haushalter, Partner at Chicago Consulting, which designs and engineers supply chains for manufacturers, retailers and distributors.
We focus on how the warehouse distribution network is becoming a critical decision in today’s fulfillment operations.
Where you decide to locate warehouses and the number you operate is extremely important. It affects your ability to compete, to scale, to control costs and the service you’ll provide to customers.
Compare it to deciding where to live. Once you pick a city and buy a house, certain decisions are made for you, like the schools your kids can attend.
We also discuss warehouse network analysis, which refers to the process of analyzing if your warehouses are in the right locations given your ship-to points. Key critical spend elements reviewed include: transportation, warehousing and inventory. Jeff recommends an analysis be revisited every three to six months.
Tune into the episode below to learn all about warehouse distribution networks and more.
Learn all about warehouse distribution networking and more by tuning into the latest episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast with Jeffrey Haushalter, Partner at Chicago Consulting.
- Chicago Consulting - Website - https://www.chicago-consulting.com/
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
In this week’s episode, we chat with Jay Kent, Managing Director of SLB Performance. SLB Performance helps companies reduce their supply chain costs.
Jay began his career working in store operations. He then went on to work as a chief supply chain and manufacturing officer. From there, Jay decided he wanted to help companies save money and improve their supply chain, and that’s how he moved full circle out of retail and into consulting. He works with a variety of brands.
In the episode, we discuss various topics, including:
-
Jay’s career history and how he moved from retail to consulting.
-
Common mistakes made in the B2C fulfillment space.
-
The importance of managing the inbound flow of products. B2C brands focus on the outbound fulfillment, but brands that can improve the inbound flow can really drive game-changing efficiencies.
-
Measuring fulfillment effectiveness with the right KPIs. Many brands have too many metrics. Actively managing the right 5-6 is all you need.
-
Microsoft Power BI and its benefits (Microsoft Power BI is a suite of business intelligence (BI), reporting, and data visualization products and services for individuals and teams).
-
How to reduce shipping costs.
… and so much more.
To reach out to Jay and his team about their work, check out the SLB Performance website or their LinkedIn page.
Tune into the latest episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast to discover how Jay Kent, Managing Director at SLB Performance, helps companies reduce their supply chain costs.
-
SLB Performance (Website) - https://www.slbperformance.com/
-
SLB Performance (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/slb-performance/
-
Jay Kent - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-kent-93594113/
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
In the latest episode, we speak with Marc Wulfraat, President and Founder at MWPVL International Inc.
MWPVL is an international supply chain and logistics consulting firm focusing on design and automation, optimization and technology evaluation.
Marc has been in the industry for 35 years and has worked with companies worldwide, designing the inside of distribution centers.
On the technology side, Marc has spent a lot of time helping companies evaluate and choose software applications and material handling automation for their businesses.
In the episode, we discuss various topics, including:
- Marc’s experience in the supply chain and logistics industry.
- The big mistakes people typically make in automation.
- The shortage of labor and its impact on automation initiatives.
- Outsourcing fulfillment operations.
Tune in to hear the full episode. Or, reach out to Marc and his team to learn more by visiting the MWPVL website.
Learn about design, automation, and optimization of fulfillment warehouses by tuning into the latest episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast with Marc Wulfraat, President and Founder at MWPVL International Inc here.
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
In this week’s episode, we speak with Steve Hopper, Founder and Principal of Inviscid Consulting. The company’s mission is to help businesses plan and streamline their warehousing and distribution operations. Steve’s passion is to help companies make improvements that:
- Reduce costs.
- Improve throughput.
- Enhance service levels.
One of the big mistakes companies make in B2C fulfillment is taking on sophisticated automated solutions without assessing if it helps with the end goal. Knowing what’s out there by attending PROMAT and other trade shows is a good idea. But the best answer is not always the latest shiny thing.
Many clients tell Steve that their goal is to automate. But automation is a means, not an end. Before spending a dime on automation, companies need a clear-eyed view of the business need. Do they need to reduce labor costs by 25%? Improve order accuracy? Increase throughput with existing staff?
The most automated solution isn’t always the most cost-effective tool to provide the desired result.
To learn more about Inviscid Consulting or to reach out to Steve and the team, visit the website and send them a message.
Discover how Inviscid Consulting helps businesses improve their warehousing and distribution operations by tuning into the latest episode.
- Steve Hopper - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevehopper/?locale=es_ES
- Inviscid Consulting - https://www.inviscidconsulting.com/
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
In this week’s episode, we speak with Tracey Springstead, Founder and CEO of Pacific Business Group.
Pacific Business Group is a small consulting group. It focuses on business operations for companies in the early startup phase to the hyper-growth mode. They consult on everything, from ERP implementations and sales order process evaluations to outsourcing.
When moving from insourcing to outsourcing of order fulfillment services, the journey differs from business to business. Tracey advises entrepreneurs that when fulfilling orders becomes a distraction to the business, they should consider moving their business operations and bringing in the experts. This allows business owners to move their companies forward and focus on critical areas such as driving revenue.
Tracey offers valuable advice in this episode about how to get the most out of relationships with third party logistics companies for order fulfillment.
Tracey has come across business leaders that admitted, in the early stages, that they didn’t know much about ecommerce order fulfillment. Pacific Business Group deals with customers who struggle with fulfillment once their order volume picks up. They are spending valuable time trying to deal with the operational implications of increased demand.
In almost all businesses, people underestimate the complexity of order fulfillment and often require help from companies like Pacific Business Group.
Learn how to get the most from your 3PL by tuning into the latest episode with Tracey Springstead, Founder and CEO of Pacific Business Group, LLC.
- Pacific Business Group, LLC
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
In this week’s episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast, we sit down with Dean Maciuba, Managing Partner USA at Crossroads Parcel Consulting. Crossroads Parcel Consulting is a one-stop-shopping information portal on “everything parcel” for clients.
In the episode, we discuss some common mistakes in parcel operations. One of retailers' main mistakes is not having their platforms integrated with the carrier. However, this is a basic mistake and easy to fix.
What’s more challenging in parcel operations is pricing, and organizing the terms and conditions that manage relationships with the carriers. Pricing has changed dramatically in the past few years due to Covid-related capacity issues and increased costs regarding employee retention.
In recent years, carriers have been getting heavy-handed on minimum revenue shipping requirements. And if you don’t hit those minimums, there may be significant penalties to pay.
Dean worked for parcel carriers for 37 years and shares plenty of secrets about working with carriers. Contact Dean at Dean@crossroadsparcelconsulting.com
Discover the secrets of working effectively with parcel carriers by tuning into the latest episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast, with Dean Maciuba, Managing Partner USA at Crossroads Parcel Consulting.
- Crossroads Parcel Consulting
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
In this week’s episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast, we speak with Brian Barry, President at F. Curtis Barry & Company. The company is a consultancy specializing in supply chain and distribution strategies.
In the episode, we learn about the typical mistakes fulfillment operations face and how to prevent them. One of the biggest mistakes is taking a long time to make a decision or take action.
People often wait too long to make critical investments or make changes, which puts them at a disadvantage. As people wait longer and longer to make a decision, lead times grow but operators still have to pay for the same labor.
Another mistake many people make relates to automation; they spend too much time on YouTube shopping. While it’s great to gain exposure to different technologies, many people become interested in the advertised solutions without knowing the product's full details and costs.
Further in the episode, Brian also discusses managing data and advises operators on working under enormous pressure.
Brian created a website page for all resources mentioned in the podcast – https://www.fcbco.com/podcast
Discover the typical mistakes people make in fulfillment operations by tuning into the latest episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast, with Brian Barry, President at F. Curtis Barry & Company.
- F. Curtis Barry & Company
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
In this week’s episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast, we chat with Chris Hamley, Managing Partner at Brecham Group.
Brecham Group’s team of over 75 employees and contractors provides decades of engineering, systems, and operations management experience to its clients. They work with many different online sellers on improving back-end fulfillment operations, so Chris brings a lot of perspective to the discussion
In the episode, we discuss the common mistakes online sellers make with fulfillment operations, and more.
Many mistakes come from a lack of planning and visibility in the chain. Plenty of organizations fail because they don’t have a solid plan of what to expect and how to overcome it.
It’s important to put a staffing plan into place well in advance, especially for peak season operations. If you’re planning when peak season is looming, you’re way late. Planning most happen well in advance.
WIth today’s labor crunch, warehouse automation is something every brand needs to be thinking about. Chris spends a lot of time talking to vendors and technology companies to further his learning and self-development in the industry. With this knowledge, Chris can start thinking about new ways to use automation and innovative ways to apply new technologies.
Learn how to run successful fulfillment operations by tuning into the latest episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast with Chris Hamley, Managing Partner at Brecham Group.
- Brecham Group
In our first full episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast, we speak with Jennifer Polce, Director of Consulting at izba.
Izba provides proven startup operator and Fortune 500 level expertise to startups on a fractional basis. This allows founders to be more equity and cash efficient while focusing on other business areas.
Jennifer has worked in the fulfillment operations space with consumer goods for over ten years. She previously studied finance but has always been highly process-driven.
Today, Jennifer oversees a team of consultants in her role as Director of Consulting for Izba.
In the episode, Jennifer gives plenty of advice on learning about the fulfillment operations space. We discuss the importance of networking and visiting fulfillment centers and manufacturing sites in person, and how best to work with partners in the fulfillment operations industry.
As well as visiting establishments on-site, some of the best ways to learn about fulfillment operations include listening to podcasts and reading publications.
Discover how Jennifer Polce, Director of Consulting at izba, grew in the fulfillment operations space by tuning into the first full episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast.
- izba
Welcome to the introductory episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. We’re joined by Harry Drajpuch, CEO at Amware Fulfillment, and Chad Warzecha, VP of Strategy Development and Operational Excellence at the same company.
This brand-new podcast focuses on giving operational professionals real-life practical information on order fulfillment that they can put to use right away.
Each episode unboxes a particular fulfillment-related topic, and listeners will learn how to solve some of the challenges they may have faced.
Essentially, the objective of the podcast is to help companies grow without limits. After all, a B2C business can’t scale up properly if they don’t have a fine-tuned fulfillment operation.
We’ll give you two podcasts a month that are around 30 minutes long and involve interviewing an expert guest. We’ll cover a variety of topics ranging from when to use technology to efficient order picking to how to manage shipping and transportation.
Tune in to the introductory episode below to learn more about what you can expect from the Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. Learn about what you can expect from the podcast with Harry Drajpuch, CEO at Amware Fulfillment, and Chad Warzecha, Executive VP of Supply Chain Strategy & Operations at the same company.
- Amware Fulfillment
Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment - The Modern B2C Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C order fulfillment.