Pillars of a High Functioning Manufacturing Warehouse Solution with Brian Reinhart

People want goods faster, cheaper, and easier. What else is new? But wanting it and making it happen are two different things. Manufacturing is always up for the task; thankfully, with today’s automated technology solutions, new ways of achieving those goals are at hand. Brian Reinhart, VP of Sales, Marketing, and Solutions with Hai Robotics, offered some fundamental pillars that any high-functioning manufacturing warehouse should integrate to execute these solutions. 

These pillars aren’t secrets; there are three: speed, density, and flexibility. But within those buckets, one can go in many different directions to achieve them. Speed is a constant pillar. How quickly can products get from point A to B to C in a warehouse? “If we take your typical warehouse environment, you’re getting bulk inventory in, and then you’re storing it,” Reinhart said. “And then you’re getting it out the door to fulfill an order. From those simple operations, we need to figure out how to get from A to B, to C quicker.” 

Humans can perform only so many of the required tasks during an hour. But, as Reinhart pointed out, those limitations are removed with automation. Speeds can increase up to 10x faster with automated solutions than without. Now the labor force can be repurposed for other functions. “When you’re getting into advanced automation and advanced robotics, you’re able to get picks per hour in the three, four, five, six-hundred per hour metric,” Reinhart said.  

On the density front, Reinhart said a lot has changed. More automation can lead to more real estate required in the warehouse. So, the challenge is how to get more compact to save space. Utilization of vertical space is one answer. And drive aisles can be reduced or eliminated using robotics, allowing the areas to become more compact. 

Reinhart said flexibility is a bit more conceptual and comes in several different shapes and forms. The ability to change the dynamics of the warehouse environment based on changing demand and needs requires technology solutions with built-in contingencies that adapt on-the-fly to get orders out quickly with a minimal footprint no matter the situation.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Latest

better pathways
Building Better Pathways to Advance Opportunities
May 29, 2023

How many schools did you consider when deciding what college to attend, if you went that route? Twenty, ten, five, or two? Maybe you already knew the one you would attend from the start. But guess what? There are almost 4,000 schools, including branch campuses, where you can earn an undergraduate degree in the U.S. […]

Read More
Receiving Your Smoker
May 28, 2023

“Receiving Your Smoker” is part one of J&R Manufacturing’s five part series. “Receiving Your Smoker” details the process for uncrating your smoker. After uncrating, raise up your unit to max height on a pallet jack or high enough on a forklift to use the proper equipment to screw on your castors or wheels.

Read More
Starting Your First Fire
May 28, 2023

“Starting Your First Fire” is part two of J&R Manufacturing’s five part series. You want to begin with kindling or firestarter. Then set your logs in a way that allows your fire to breathe and grow. As J&R Manufacturing always says, there is no hurry up in barbecue, so it will take some time.

Read More