Warehousing Category | Fulco Fulfillment Inc.

Trends in Warehousing and Distribution

The role of third-party logistics companies has been shifting against the backdrop of steady disruption and game-changing technology. Leading warehouse and distribution centers like Fulco Fulfillment Inc (FFI) have seen consistent trends in 5 distinct areas:

Supply Chain Integration
Outsourced Delivery Services
Sustainability in Warehouse and Distribution Services
The Amazon Effect
E-commerce Will Accelerate

Supply Chain Integration

Improved Communication

Technology improves many logistical tasks. The goal is to determine how best to utilize technological advancements to simplify and streamline the communication process. There are several Warehouse Management Solutions that utilize API electronic data exchanges to improve communication and increase transparency.

Proactive fulfillment centers and 3PLs understand the importance of having the best communication platforms available. These platforms support customers by providing real-time updates on order fulfillment, package tracking, inventory levels, historical data, and more.

Warehouse and distribution centers will look to leverage integration to build value-added services within their fundamental workflows and software. It is possible to integrate picking and packing using barcode scanning technology which communicates directly to shipping software. This reduces the costs and eliminates lost time and inevitable errors. API integrations automate order fulfillment workflows leading to improved communication. Supply chain integration through data sharing encourages visibility, transparency, and accountability by all parties involved.

Outsourced Delivery Services

Focusing on Core Competencies

The power of third-party delivery services is basically an opportunity for warehousing and distribution centers to deliver products to customers using independent contractors. This outsourcing eliminates the responsibility of maintaining a fleet of trucks and all the additional costs that incurs. While several 3PLs and fulfillment centers are expanding their fulfillment and distribution platforms to smaller, regionally focused networks, hiring and building their in-house delivery network takes time and money. To ensure they can efficiently deliver to customers, many warehouse and distribution centers are contracting delivery services.

Packaging Supplies Will Go Green

Customers Reduce Their Impact on the Environment

To be eco-friendly, 3PLs have been integrating environmentally-conscious practices into their operations. Optimization of packaging supplies has become an imperative eco-conscious strategy for shippers.

The 3PLs are working with new ways of designing and producing their products, attempting to lessen their carbon and environmental footprint, while simultaneously saving on costs. Consumers rate sustainability as important and will select companies that support green initiatives. Trends have shown an overall shift among the broad customer base today towards a more eco-aware business model.

Green packaging has brought a wave of new eco-friendly alternatives to traditional packaging materials. Here at FFI, we see a rise in biodegradable packing peanuts, corrugated bubble wrap, and air pillows made of recycled materials.

There are many packaging options available to the environmentally conscious business.

The Amazon Effect

Warehouse and Distribution Centers to the Rescue

“The Amazon Effect,” which has ushered in the expectation of rapid delivery with minimum effort and the desire for a seamless order experience, is one that every customer has the right to expect. The dominance that Amazon has on the U.S. e-commerce space isn’t without its pitfalls. Amazon sellers have had to find alternative shipping options, relying on warehouse and distribution services like FFI to prepare their goods for Fulfillment by Amazon and allow them to live up to their brand promise. This meant developing closer relationships with their outside fulfillment team; warehouse and distribution centers rescued them.

We can expect to see more brands turning from basic service providers to more comprehensive fulfillment partners. The latter will offer a wider range of services and take the time to understand individual businesses, which puts them in a better position to bend to the needs of that brand and help it to scale more effectively.

E-commerce Will Accelerate

E-commerce has created a world in which consumers can shop almost anywhere, anytime. Supply chain integration can enable quicker response times to consumer requests.

This increase in demand will continue to put pressure on warehouse technology. We’ve already seen shipping times grow at major e-commerce retailers, and the postal service burdened as smaller retailers try to pivot to online. Additionally, this will result in an increased demand for warehouse space that will likely result in more refurbishment of older buildings. Being able to build and flex warehouse capacity to support customer demand is a strength FFI offers our customers.

Stay Prepared with Fulco Fulfillment Inc.

Understanding the shifts in the e-commerce landscape will set you up for success. Get ahead of the warehouse and distribution trends before they get ahead of you! FFI can help you with all of your warehousing and distribution needs. Call 973.361.1700 or fill out our contact form.

Warehousing and Distribution for the Holiday Season

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us, but with all those holly jolly times, make sure your 3PL service can handle increased capacity. Holiday fulfillment can make or break your e-commerce business. Great holiday fulfillment is the key to great holiday sales. Already high customer expectations are rightfully higher around the holidays since everyone wants their gift to arrive on time. Standards for expedited turnaround are higher than ever; customers just do not tolerate a backordered inventory. This year especially, we are faced with even more challenges and lots of unknowns due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has reshaped the way consumers shop, increasing online and e-commerce sales. Retailers and e-commerce companies solve this bottleneck by working with a third party logistics company to help them take a load off their busy holiday season. Your holiday fulfillment operations are the key to success during this busy time, and a good partner can make your holiday fulfillment operations run smoothly.

Fulco Fulfillment Inc. is the 3PL service to provide the extra value you need all season long.

Your space may slowly be getting filled with stacked boxes reaching the ceiling in places like your office, hallways, and dare I say it, even your bathroom. When you choose to outsource your holiday warehousing and distribution to give you a safer workspace, that is not at risk of boxes collapsing on top of you and becoming an episode of Hoarders along with the extra staff that is needed so you don’t have to do any heavy lifting yourself. Once partnered with a 3PL service like Fulco Fulfillment Inc. for the big holiday rush that is ahead, then you will be free to order exactly what you are looking for right when you need it without any fear of where you will have to fit it in your cramped space. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date inventory only works when customers are notified of low inventory levels in a timely manner. You need to provide e-commerce customers information quickly to protect them from getting frustrated during a joyful time, so customer service response time is paramount.

On Demand Storage Space

Juggling storage space at this time of year is the worst, but after you have teamed up with a 3PL like Fulco Fulfillment Inc., you are quite literally renting out the space you need only when you need it.

Seasonal Demand

The hiring period during the holidays can be frustrating and highly competitive, but with a 3PL service like FFI by your side, you don’t have to worry about seasonal help. Rather than hiring your own people, you can rely on your 3PL service for some assistance for however long you need it and only when you need it. This ability can save your business a ton of both time and money since the warehouse staff is already trained and experienced at fulfillment, distributions, and pick & pack demands. When it comes to warehousing, e-commerce is continuously the driving force of growth. Planning for surge events like the holidays ensures there is space available. Utilizing past data and analyzing sales history provides insights that will help things run more smoothly. The historical data allows your fulfillment center to plan ahead to have enough staff on hand to anticipate the peaks and troughs of seasonal demand.

Accurate and Up-to-date Inventory

3PL’s like Fulco Fulfillment Inc. use a computerized system that is able to check products in and out of the inventory which provides you with a real-time inventory tracking system to make sure none of the products in the warehouse are out of place. You will not have to struggle with backordering when your company knows the precise moment to restock product.

Customer Service Response Time

During the holiday rush there will always be a few issues in order fulfillment. What is important is how customer service resolves the issues and how quickly. Fulco Fulfillment’s client service managers are extremely reliable and responsive when our customers contact us with questions, requests for assistance, or problems. Every one of our clients has their own dedicated client service support person to pick up the phone and call because customer experience needs to sit at the forefront. Our online order management systems (OMS) provide updates via email throughout the lifecycle of the order so that the customer is kept up to date with the progress of their order. This increases the confidence the customer has with their fulfillment company.

Looking for a 3PL Provider in NJ?

Do you think you will be stuffed with business this holiday season? It may be time to call a reliable 3PL service today, like Fulco Fulfillment Inc. located in Dover, NJ. With our help, we will guarantee that your holiday season will be headache free. Money will be saved, space will be freed, and you will be left feeling merry and bright! Give us a call at 973.361.1700 to discuss your needs.

Warehouse Fulfillment Technology Saves Clients Time & Money

Fulco Fulfillment’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) follows best practices to streamline every aspect of our warehouse management fulfillment processes.

While each client has its own needs, managing their differences doesn’t have to be an arduous process. Whatever the primary focus of your business, whether it is B2B, B2C or e-commerce, the flexible solutions offered by Fulco Fulfillment are guaranteed to meet your needs and scalable to grow along with you.

Warehouse efficiency is critical to operational success. Fulco Fulfillment WMS helps keep our warehouse organized, clean and accurate, so workers can be more productive and we can keep customers happy.

How WMS helps us focus on our warehouse fulfillment solutions

A Warehouse Fulfillment System Keeps Things Organized

In order to keep our warehouse running at tip-top efficiency, we utilize barcode technology in addition to a wide array of picking options and shipping station integrations that run in real time. When your company outsources warehouse services the last thing you need is unorganized mess that will set you up for failure. With our proprietary WMS system we can locate any inventory within the warehouse with just the push of a button. Before a receipt is submitted to the WMS, the system is told where the units we receive are to be located.

Thereafter, by engaging WMS we can select search or open, or use warehouse location services to drill down to specifics including where in the buildings, which aisle, which rack, which shelf and more.

Fulco Fulfillment also offers temperature monitored areas in the warehouse that range from approximately 60° F to 79° F, and we can provide reporting for tracking.

A Warehouse Fulfillment System Keeps Things Clean

One of the most important aspects of maintaining a warehouse is keeping it clean on a daily basis. This begins at the receiving dock which is kept clean and well organized. Orders that arrive are immediately expedited to their place in the warehouse so that the next order that comes in can be accepted without any clutter getting in the way.

Products more in-demand and moved around more often are kept closer to shipping, this allows for more efficient movement of goods throughout the warehouse. Stock in high demand is easier to handle on a regular basis if it is closer and more accessible. Transporting it across less space also means saving time and money.

A Warehouse Fulfillment System Keeps Things Accurate

Clients have the ability to set their own understock levels so they know when to replenish stock. Depending on the circumstances of every business, an e-mail reminder can be delivered the moment inventory dips below this level and a secondary e-mail notification can be delivered when the inventory becomes completely empty, reaching zero.

Fulco Fulfillment places tremendous importance on the accuracy of material received, because when receiving is out of order so is the rest of the warehouse. Proper inventory accuracy, faster order fulfillment, and an increase in overall receiving productivity are goals we constantly strive for.

When WMS receives the details of the inventory, clients have the ability to access multiple inquiry options and generate reports. Every product that is received through Fulco Fulfillment’s warehouse is recorded in the WMS, allowing the end user to navigate the information pertaining to all products with complete ease.

When receiving our clients’ specifications Fulco Fulfillment will make inquiries to determine the following information:

Products specifications: Do they include versions, lots or expiration dates?
Pallets: Can they be stacked, will they be floor loads, shrink-wrapped, what are the size requirements and are there labeling requirements?
Quality: What is the customer’s tolerance level of acceptable defects?
Carton sizes and types, including corrugated, branding, size limits and other considerations.

When it comes to receiving, our fulfillment director ensures the receipt of materials is done correctly, beginning with verifying all receipts by skid, carton and piece count against packing slips supplied. This is a critical part of the process because receiving mistakes often lead to negative impacts on future productivity and accuracy. Packing lists or shipping documents are signed off for accuracy. Any and all discrepancies are immediately reported to the client via e-mail. If necessary, images are taken and sent to the customer.

We use our receiving procedure to verify all quantities received and the data entered by our operators. Verifying goods received can depend on the cargo and customer expectations regarding:

Quantity
Description
Product code
Condition of goods
Weight of goods
Temperature, if applicable.
Receipt identification number
Customer name
Shipper name (vendor)
Purchase order

Once everything is confirmed, the material is put in its proper place in the warehouse, also known as “locating.” This allows a computerized manifest to be accessible on-line to our clients 24/7. If physical count of receipt quantities performed by Fulco Fulfillment does not match the packing list quantities, the client is notified immediately. The client can now contact the vendor to determine how to proceed and advise Fulco Fulfillment accordingly. This concludes with confirming that the putting away of the product is completed.

The Efficiency of Using Warehouse Space

Fulco Fulfillment’s warehouse is occupied with the inventory of a wide array of clients, each with their own variety of different sizes and shapes. We store it all. Utilizing vertical and horizontal space has always posed a challenge, but Fulco Fulfillment has the experience to circumvent any problems time and time again. By adding half-pallet locations, bins can be utilized in flow shelves whenever applicable. Our expertise helps us spot and engage underutilized space by reducing aisle width when it becomes available, consolidating the location of inventory, and reviewing the depth of the needs of storage.

To learn more about our warehousing services see https://www.fulcofulfillment.com/our-services/warehousing/ or give us a call at 973-361-1700. We look forward to assisting you making your business the best it can be.

A Fulfillment Center in NJ Combining Fulfillment, Warehousing and Distribution for Efficiency and Cost Savings

Outsourcing your fulfillment, warehousing and distribution operations to Fulco Fulfillment, a fulfillment center in NJ, relieves the pressures associated with setting up a multifunctional system of your own. That’s why many CPG and OTC companies, online retailers and specialty suppliers choose Fulco Fulfillment for their fulfillment, warehousing and distributions needs. Our management and experienced customer service teams know which questions to ask to quickly learn about your business. Whether your business is a Fortune 500 company or a start-up, our fulfillment center in NJ can solve whatever challenges your business has when it comes to fulfillment, warehousing and distribution.

How can outsourcing to a fulfillment center in NJ benefit your business?

Fulco Fulfillment Inc. has provided fulfillment services to customers in a wide variety of industries since 2001. We offer a comprehensive blend of supply chain logistics services which include proven expertise in warehousing, distributions and transportation management. We can receive your online fulfillment order and consolidate and streamline your fulfillment and shipping processes in order to:

Reduce fulfillment, warehousing and distribution operational costs
Improve inventory control
Track your operations and avoid problems

Our fulfillment clients benefit from the robust reporting that our Order Management System (OMS) offers. In addition to this, our knowledgeable team of fulfillment experts will track your inventory from the receipt to the distribution through the pick ‘n’ pack process and all the way to shipping.

Reduce fulfillment, warehousing and distribution operational costs NOW

The most obvious benefit that drives lower costs is that every aspect of your fulfillment is professionally handled under one roof. Our fulfillment center in NJ has over 148,000-square-feet of warehouse space in Dover NJ, which is centrally located to points throughout the mid-Atlantic and New England with easy access to Routes 80, 287, 46, and Route 10.

At first glance switching to a new center can seem costly, but the cost savings of having everything in one place far outweighs the costs associated with finding your own storage and fulfillment space, leasing and maintaining your automation equipment, and hiring and managing staff, to name a few.

Improve Inventory Control

Many retailers and large businesses have separate inventory-tracking systems in their fulfillment and distribution centers as well as their physical store locations. This data generally does not synchronize correctly or as fast as management would like, which can make tracking your inventory levels in real time extremely difficult. This can frustrate your team as well as your customers. Fulco Fulfillment’s state of the art Order Management System offers you improved inventory management capabilities. You’ll know at a glance where your inventory stands and how it’s moving off the shelves. This can help you avoid overstocks as well as shortages so you can make on the spot adjustments to meet product demand.

Furthermore, there is no more effective support system for your sales force than Fulco Fulfillment. As our valued customer, you can set the allotments by product or budget and set restrictions as necessary. Alerts are triggered automatically when your inventory is below the established minimum levels. All alerts are sent straight to you when your supplies are reaching low levels so that you can be sure all of your products will be in stock and ready to ship as they are ordered either by your sales team or direct by your customers.

Track your operations and avoid problems

When your fulfillment, warehousing and distribution is managed at a single facility, you will have an all-encompassing view of the entire operation and be immediately able to pinpoint potential issues and resolve them before they become a bigger problem. For instance, if your fulfillment operation is currently in the middle of an unexpected influx of orders, you will be able to easily move workers from the distribution side to help the fulfillment team. On the other hand, if your physical stores begin to experience a shortage of inventory you can move the product from the fulfillment side to the distribution area to alleviate the shift.

Bring it all together … Bring it to Fulco Fulfillment Inc, a fulfillment center in NJ

In order to be successful in the competitive e-commerce space in the Northeast, retailers need a trusted fulfillment center in NJ. We are incredibly flexible and can manage inventory for everything from pharmaceutical sample programs to online consumer purchases. Combining your fulfillment and distribution operations into one centralized location may be your best opportunity to control costs, inventory management capabilities, facility locations, future growth and staffing needs.

Trust Fulco Fulfillment Inc. We want to help support your organization so you can produce record results. And, no matter how large you may grow, we’re ready to scale along with you. To learn more, give us a call at 973-361-1700 or fill out our form and we’ll contact you.

Outsourcing Fulfillment Transition Planning

There may come a point in time when you get sick of using your basement, garage or spare bedroom as a means to organize your product and fulfillment, Fulco Fulfillment wants to make that transition process as seamless as it could possibly be when you outsource your fulfillment. As your business grows, it is important to keep up to date with deliveries or else the business could begin to lose credibility and no one wants to see that happen.

Outsourcing and moving your product to a larger fulfillment facility such as Fulco Fulfillment Inc. would be an optimal move to continue shipping products without any interruption of service. Transitions, however are not as easy of a process as it might appear to be for each business is unique and requires different methods of delivery, storage, etc. In order to begin this transition process, it’s important to understand and think about what would be best for your small business.

Understanding the Logistics Profile

Transitioning begins with planning and in order to accomplish that meetings must be scheduled to talk about what the appropriate requirements are for the product and how a fulfillment warehouse such as Fulco Fulfillment Inc. can provide those requirements to you through our operational processes. If necessary compromises may need to be made in order to fulfill the appropriate requirements for your business. Transitioning to a larger facility may throw what you may know about delivering and storing your products out the window but that is what makes these meetings so important so that in the end you feel more at ease about spreading your product far and wide. Here are some things that should be considered throughout the meetings:

Service levels required
Sources of inventory and replenishment lead times
Special product handling requirements:
- Environmental requirements
- Fragile
- Liquid
- Hazmat
- Weights and dimensions
- Expiration dates
- Serial number control
- Subscription handling
Channel support:
- Amazon
- Big box selling (EDI and routing guides)
- Small box retail
- Selling online or on multiple online platforms
- Controlling inventory availability across channels
The more obvious discussions:
- Order volumes, line item volumes
- Seasonality
- Number of SKU’s and SKU churn
- Who will handle customer service and returns
- Packaging and assembly requirements
- International shipping

In order to make your meeting as effective as possible, think about the points listed above so that your company and a fulfillment company such as Fulco Fulfillment Inc. can reach a proper agreement that makes everyone happy in the end.

Systems integration

In order for the transition process of outsourcing fulfillment to begin it is imperative that both your methods of delivery whether it is manually or through an ecommerce service can communicate with Fulco Fulfillment Inc. quickly and flawlessly. Without any method of communication to Fulco Fulfillment’s it would impossible for your small business to get the orders out on time and without fail. Becoming familiar with how your business is able to relay product information will be important when beginning the transition process so you will know how to keep track of the items going in and out of the fulfillment warehouse on a daily basis.

A strategy for shipping is also important when beginning the transition process of outsourcing fulfillment. If your business has a policy for 2-3 day shipping for example then that is something the fulfillment warehouse should know right away in order to properly organize orders that will need to be shipped. Let the fulfillment warehouse know about carriers to use, strategies for international shipping and etc.

The transition process and outsourcing fulfillment can only start once you are certain your existing systems incorporated already at your business can be properly moved over to a warehouse like Fulco Fulfillment Inc.

Make sure any customers, carriers, suppliers and vendors know about the new location of the warehouse you move to otherwise you’ll be left with a lot of angry individuals.

Moving day

Something to keep in mind once the day to move actually arrives is to move the product in your current location in pieces or specifically halves. While moving it is important to keep shipping from the old location until all of the product is moved successfully to the new warehouse. Moving in parts will be able to give you some insurance in case there are any issues that may arise during the move process. The better you plan, the more likely the transition process will go as smooth as possible without issue and with Fulco Fulfillment Inc. at your side transitioning will be as stress free as possible for the sake of your business.