Episodes
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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
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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
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Missing episodes?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Ecommerce Order Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
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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.
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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 Ecommerce Order Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment.
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