In the fast-paced world of supply chains, efficiency is king. But here’s the reality that most warehouses ignore: treating human beings like machines is bad for business. Instead of demanding constant output, what if we designed shifts and workflows with human energy in mind?

I write and talk a lot about teams. Lately, what fascinates me is the opportunity to organize a workforce into teams and foster a team culture that realizes the potential of the “Human Element.” So how do you organize your workforce and structure your team to achieve an ideal dynamic?

Today I am introducing a new series exploring what I call the “human element” behind productivity. Here's the interesting part: we’re going to try taking concepts developed for other industries and applications and apply them to a warehouse operation, with a little help from our friends.

Businesses are paying a higher price for labor, insurance, land, taxes, regulations, and transportation due to factors way outside the control of the distribution center. There are, however, a few areas of “low-hanging fruit” that the warehouse manager can control in the short term to counter higher costs.

The evidence is clear: recent research findings about alcohol and cancer clearly show that alcohol consumption is a cancer risk factor. Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of a variety of cancers and even light drinking increases risk substantially. Learn more about the recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General on alcohol and cancer risk.

As the global supply chain continues to evolve, logistics professionals face a variety of complex challenges. While the landscape is dynamic, four key issues are expected to dominate conversations in 2025. Let’s explore why these topics matter and how businesses can prepare.

During a recent webinar from Automated Warehouse, Bob Kennedy, principal and founder of RC Kennedy Consulting joined industry experts to explore what digitalization means for warehouse systems and how business owners can implement these tools to gain new insights and efficiencies within their supply chain. Here were some of his insights.

This year’s Black Friday shopping frenzy provided plenty of lessons for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), especially regarding supply chain and inventory management. With consumer spending trends, online innovation, and logistical challenges evolving since 2023, SMBs faced unique opportunities and hurdles. Here’s what we learned.