+1 800 967-0030

What’s New In 3PL: The Lean Warehouse

Improvement is the name of the 3rd party logistics (3PL) game — it’s all about packing faster, shipping sooner and getting products into the hands of customers faster.

Although picking robots and computerization has helped to improve production fulfillment, there’s always more that can be done. This is where the lean warehouse comes in.

The lean warehouse concept is not necessarily about keeping fewer products or hiring fewer employees, but it is more a new attempt at moving shipments out the door at the speed of your customer’s clicks. The goal is to root out waste of every kind by starting on the picking and packing floor and carefully examining every part of the system and the chain.

Lean is About Rooting Out, Eliminating Waste

By working with employees, 3PLs are finding more places to cut wasteful processes.

In fact, a good 3PL will meet regularly with their employees to get their feedback on what parts of the product fulfillment process can be simplified to make the warehouse increasingly more lean.

Sometimes, these changes can be as simple as rearranging picking bins or creating custom kits for certain customers. Other times, more complex problems like paperwork reduction have to be addressed. In the end, though, the lean warehouse is all about the 3rd party logistics company staying in touch with their employees to create an organically flowing product fulfillment machine.

A lean warehouse is a warehouse that’s constantly improving, and that’s great news for your company. As your 3PL becomes increasingly streamlined, your costs will fall, giving you an even bigger bang for your buck. If your company was already saving money by outsourcing your warehousing and fulfillment, you’ll see that over time your outsourcing costs will shrink considerably as your warehouse becomes leaner.

What if My 3PL isn’t Lean?

The unfortunate reality of pick, pack and ship is that some companies are simply not keeping up with the latest innovations in warehousing and fulfillment. If you’re outsourcing to a company that clings to the way they’ve always done things, there’s definitely room for improvement.

Moving to a new 3PL can be a stressful time, but once you’ve got all your products under the same roof again, you’ll see a huge difference between the old-fashioned warehouses and a modern lean warehouse. Products will ship faster, returns will be handled more methodically and your customers will be happier because their orders get to their doors faster. By teaming with a lean warehouse, you’re telling your customers that their happiness is what matters most to you.

 

June 04, 2015
Share This:

Related Posts

RECENT POSTS

Real-Time Order Tracking Or Bust

Gps tracking map. Track navigation pins on street maps, navigate mapping technology and locate position pin. Futuristic travel gps map or location navigator vector illustration “Where is my order?” “When will my package arrive?” If you are inundated with questions...

First In, First Out Warehousing and Fulfillment

Are you a seasoned inventory manager? If so, the acronym FIFO - which stands for First In, First Out - might be a familiar term to you. Put simply, the items are sold in the order they are received in the store or warehouse. FIFO is the go-to inventory management...

Grow Your Amazon Business With A Standout Listing

Do you sell on Amazon? If so, you are in great company. At the end of 2022, Amazon had over 2 million active sellers worldwide, making it one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world. Businesses have the opportunity to reach millions of customers in over 180...

Scroll, Click, Buy: How to Sell On Instagram

Do you have an Instagram shop? Instagram Shopping is quickly becoming the preferred way for consumers not only to learn about new brands and products on Instagram, but also to purchase them in just a few simple steps. If you are not already selling directly on...

New Year, New You?

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, hoping to spark positive change, adopt new habits, or even reinvent themselves. The recurring themes each year include a more active approach to health and fitness, improved finances, better relationships,...