Meeting the Challenge of Supply Chain Innovation

The 2018 MHI Annual Industry report has been released, and its findings are right on the nose. Titled “Overcoming Barriers to NextGen Supply Chain Innovation,” the results from this fifth annual survey on supply chain innovation and challenges show that much has changed since that initial report came out in 2014 – and much has not.

For instance, the 2014 report cited supply chain executives’ top two strategic priorities (analytics and multichannel fulfillment); top two barriers to innovation (a talent shortage and cost-reduction pressures); and top three emerging innovations to watch (sustainability, mobility/machine-to-machine technology, 3-D printing).

In the 2018 report, respondents cited their top challenges as consumer demand on supply chain (73%) and hiring qualified workers (64%). The number of key innovations they’re eyeing increased from just three in 2014 to 11 in 2018: robotics & automation (65%); predictive analytics (62%); Internet of Things/IoT (59%); artificial intelligence (53%); inventory & network optimization (53%); driverless vehicles & drones (52%), wearable & mobile technologies (45%); cloud computing and storage (40%); blockchain/distributed ledger technologies (35%); and 3-D printing (35%).

Realistically, supply chain pressures have not so much changed as amplified and intensified exponentially.

As the report’s intro bluntly notes, “Today’s supply chain does much more than just physically move materials and product from place to place. In an increasingly digital world, supply chains are the backbone of an information ecosystem in which a connected and carefully coordinated set of movements and actions must be tracked at every level in order to maximize efficiency and meet customer demands for increased flexibility, visibility, and transparency.”

In just five short years, supply chain execs have shifted from warily contemplating technology’s applications and impact on a changing industry to confronting the hard realities of the digital, omni-channel world. Surveys like the one from MHI give us all insights into what we’re facing – and help us fix our focus on the future as we develop solutions.

With customer expectations going through the roof, UNEX Manufacturing knows what it takes to speed fulfillment operations so you can meet the market’s demand. UNEX has the systems to help retailers, assemblers, distributors and manufacturers get products into the queue and out the door quicker. Contact your UNEX Pickologist today for details.

The post Meeting the Challenge of Supply Chain Innovation appeared first on Carton Flow and Order Picking Solutions from UNEX.

source https://www.unex.com/meeting-challenge-supply-chain-innovation/

9 Stats Shaping the World of Distribution

What trends and changes have changed the landscape of the warehousing and distribution industry in the last few years? This is a topic we have talked quite a bit about, as the e-commerce boom has kicked off a revolution of sorts in warehouse technology, business practices, and operational methods.

In late 2017, 300 distribution center professionals were surveyed to provide insights into how their business was changing. We took the results of that survey and turned them into the handy infographic you’ll find below!

To view the larger version, simply click on the infographic to open it and click again to zoom in.

The post 9 Stats Shaping the World of Distribution appeared first on Carton Flow and Order Picking Solutions from UNEX.

source https://www.unex.com/9-stats-shaping-distribution-infographic/

Product Storage: Do More in Less Space with SpeedCell

You’ve heard the business cliché about the need to do more with less? While that usually translates into making people work harder, UNEX now offers a new storage line that actually helps pickers pick more product more safely in less space, with the added benefit of greater accuracy and fewer touches.

Acquired just last month and now called UNEX SpeedCell, this dynamic high-density storage solution complements our existing product lines to increase SKU density while reducing actual space requirements.  By condensing product storage into a smaller, more easily accessible space, UNEX SpeedCell reduces travel times, improves ergonomics, boosts productivity, and minimizes cost per pick.

UNEX SpeedCell’s flexible pick-and-storage solutions are ideal for e-commerce fulfillment, restocking, seasonal demand, apparel, footwear, cosmetics, and other product categories that handle a large range of small SKU units and each picks.

When you’re facing the pressure of expanding SKU diversity and feeling the squeeze of rapid, on-demand fulfillment requirements, UNEX SpeedCell offers fast, cost-effective relief. Let us show you how to do more in less space.

UNEX SpeedCell enables high-density storage for small or slow-moving items, allowing you to store more SKUs in less space. When you add a new product line, UNEX SpeedCell can handle the storage without having to expand your real estate. Contact your UNEX SpeedCell Pickologist today.

The post Product Storage: Do More in Less Space with SpeedCell appeared first on Carton Flow and Order Picking Solutions from UNEX.

source https://www.unex.com/speedcell-doing-more-with-less/

UNEX Introduces Online Configurator to Speed Custom Designs

UNEX Manufacturing, Inc., the trusted industry leader in providing innovative order picking solutions, introduces the UNEX Configurator, an easy-to-use design tool that generates a 3D image and bill of materials for users’ custom carton flow solutions. The online Configurator quickly and easily lets users configure a Span-Track solution from the ground up by themselves, accelerating the turn-around time for custom-fit materials handling equipment that can speed fulfillment and throughput in the warehouse, distribution center or manufacturing line.

“We have found that many of our customers want to design a UNEX solution themselves to ensure the equipment will fit into their environment to keep their processes flowing,” said Brian C. Neuwirth, VP Sales & Marketing, UNEX Manufacturing. “Using the Configurator design tool, material handling experts can design the equipment that fits their own unique specifications, making an engineer’s job easier while providing instant 3D images for visual confirmation of the design.”

Users begin to create their designs with the UNEX Configurator by inputting the dimensions to match their existing racks, along with the name of the pallet rack beam manufacturer and type of upright needed. Next, the number of levels, types of rack and end-style are added to fill the racks. Users simply click on “send me my design” to receive their free 3D image with a bill of materials included. UNEX can generate a quote based on the design. Other products, besides Span-Track, will be added to the Configurator in the future for even more custom designs.

UNEX Span-Track is a patented carton flow solution for full case and split case (each) order picking. Span-Track easily drops into existing structures and creates the ultimate carton flow rack roller system, keeping product at the pick point for the worker. Span-Track increase warehouse utilization by 50%, reduces carton imprints with 300% more surface area than other roller track options, and increases throughput up to 150% when compared to order picking from pallets.

To access the UNEX online configurator and get started with a custom Span-Track design, click the button below.

 

Start Configuring

The post UNEX Introduces Online Configurator to Speed Custom Designs appeared first on Carton Flow and Order Picking Solutions from UNEX.

source https://www.unex.com/unex-introduces-online-configurator-speed-custom-designs/