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HOW MANY DIFFERENT WAYS can products be picked in a distribution facility? Find out, in this special edition of Design Plans and Ideas that focuses on order picking strategies.

Inside, we'll examine myriad ways to pick product-from a facility that handles only full pallets in and full pallets out, to a facility that handles broken case, full case, and full pallet quantities all under one roof. And we’ll take a look at how storage equipment, industrial trucks, dock equipment, conveyors, and returnable containers help these world-class facilities ship orders out the door quickly and efficiently. more....

Mail order goods DC
Multiple storage/picking schemes promote efficient, economic handling of orders at this busy mail order distribution center. more....

Dry grocery goods DC
A variety of trucks and efficient full-case pick operation help this hectic DC manage high throughput. more....

Automotive parts DC
Managing both rush and regular orders, as well as a wide variety of SKUs under one roof is a challenge for this busy auto parts DC. Returnable containers help streamline operations. more....

Consumer electronics DC
Segregating SKUs that move in full pallet quantities by depth of inventory streamlines flow while dock equipment provides security at this fast-paced DC. more....

Commercial electronics DC
A multi-zone picking strategy and efficient conveyor transport/ sortation system keep operations at this high-activity facility humming. more....

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WHY ARE SO MANY WAREHOUSES and distribution centers today performing value-added services such as merchandise ticketing, gift wrapping, and customization? Take a walk through five facilities that successfully perform a wide variety of value-added services, while at the same time meeting their goals for high productivity, efficiency, and safety. Each layout focuses in on a specific equipment class or productivity tool — warehouse management software, returnable containers, storage/staging systems, and industrial trucks — illustrating how each plays a key role in warehousing operations. more....

Precision machine parts DC
A combination of high-density storage/staging media and a mezzanined value-added services area keep orders moving through this busy facility. more....

Promotion/awards merchandise DC
Use of durable containers promotes efficient batch picking and transport of merchandise to a dedicated value-added services area for custom engraving and foil embossing. more....

Flat goods/apparel DC
A versatile WMS system helps this facility turn orders around quickly and perform important value-added services including ticketing, theft tagging, and hanger insertion. more....

Fashion accessories retail DC
Use of a combination of industrial trucks, very narrow aisle storage, and different rack types provide high storage density and rapidhandling and ticketing/tagging of orders. more....

Hanging apparel/flat goods DC
Versatile materials handling equipment and systems help this facility turn orders around quickly and perform important value-added services including ticketing, theft tagging, and hanger insertion. more....

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WHAT DOES IT TAKE to achieve world-class productivity? Find out in this latest edition of Design Plans and Ideas. Inside, we take a detailed look at five of the world’s most productive manufacturing and distribution facilities. From the use of storage and staging and dock equipment to returnable containers, industrial trucks, and warehouse management software we’ll examine how they employ materials handling equipment and strategies to get the goods out — on time and error-free. more....

Flat goods/apparel DC
Streamlined handling and a fleet of industrial trucks help this facility keep the orders moving quickly and efficiently. more....

Fashion accessories retail DC
A WMS system gives this facility the information it needs to ship thousands of orders per day on time and error-free. more....

Sporting goods DC
Segregation of SKUs by product type and activity level within several picking areas is this facility’s secret to high productivity. more....

Appliance assembly operation
Use of returnable containers and a JIT replenishment strategy help this facility kick up the volume and keep customers happy. more....

Retail goods mail order DC
Practical handling methods and dock safety equipment help boost throughput during peaks in business. more....

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WITH MORE AND MORE COMPANIES RECOGNIZING THE value of turning to a third party to do their logistics work, the 3PL industry has been growing at a phenomenal rate. But at the same time, 3PLs face some specific challenges: Get orders out quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively. And have flexible systems that can handle unexpected changes in business. To be successful, 3PLs need the right combinations of materials handling equipment, systems, and software to meet all of those goals. In this special 3PL edition of Design Plans & Ideas, we show you five different facility layouts – each highlighting a different application of technology or functional area – that are world-class in their overall design. more....

Retail goods crossdocking operation
Throughput is key at this fast-paced 3PL crossdocking facility that relies on versatile dock equipment to ensure safety. more....

Manufacturing machines and parts DC
This high-volume 3PL depends on a flexible mix of industrial trucks/storage equipment to handle a broad range of products. more....

Value-added retail clothing DC
This 3PL relies on a functional layout and powerful WMS to provide value-added garment hanging/labeling services quickly and efficiently. more....

Retail computer distribution
Segmenting inventory by size, activity levels and using proven picking methods/systems help this 3PL pick up pace. more....

Consumer electronics spare parts distribution
Reusable containers that streamline handling and an efficient layout factor heavily in the success of this busy 3PL. more....

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IN TODAY’S COMPETITIVE E-COMMERCE ENVIRONMENT, economics and efficiency are the names of the game. To be successful, companies need to design the right facility layout and select the proper mix of materials handling equipment and systems to streamline the handling of orders and speed products to the end customer. In this special E-Commerce edition of Design Plans & Ideas, we show you five different facility layouts - each highlighting a different function or area - that are world-class in their overall approach to materials handling. more....

Housewares distribution
Proven picking methods and equipment team up for high-throughput handling at this medium-volume facility. more....

Health and beauty aids
Flexible dock equipment and facility layout support cross-docking and rapid handling at this high-throughput DC. more....

Lighting fixtures
The right mix of picking systems and industrial trucks sup-ports a high-volume DC with a relatively few number of SKUs. more....

Speaker assembly
Returnable containers facilitate JIT parts delivery and handling, streamline order flow in assembly operation. more....

Books and entertainment
A WMS and a flexible facility layout optimize order handling at this extremely high-volume DC. more....