Top trends for surviving the 21st century
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 2/1/2000
Practices such as just-in-time, quick response, efficient consumer response, and continuous flow distribution have put some people on edge as to the future role of the warehouse. At least one industry expert, however, says warehouses are ensured an important role, albeit a changing one, in the 21st century."In the real world, warehousing will still link suppliers with consumers," says Brian Hudock, managing principle for Tompkins Associates. Market forces will drive warehouses toward continuous improvement, and they will remain vital in supply chain synthesis."
Hudock gives the following ten practices as vital components to successful warehouse operations in the new century:
1. Focus on the customer
2. Compression of operations and time
3. Continuous flow
4. Crossdocking
5. Electronic transactions
6. Customized warehousing
7. Third party warehousing
8. The incredible shrinking order
9. Automation
10. The human element
Hudock believes that warehouses need a customer satisfaction focus, continuous flow, electronic transactions, automation, and all the other tools designed to improve total operations.
"But ultimately," says Hudock, "success of a warehouse or any other operation depends on a quality workforce with inspirational leaders who know how to lead them to success and allow them to assume accountability for their own actions."
Tompkins Associates consults on supply chain systems implementations for manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and organizational excellence.
View All Blogs
