Episodios

  • Labor, Demand, and the New Rules of Warehouse Operations
    Mar 17 2026

    In this episode of Warehouse Automation Matters, Mary Hart spoke with Jim Shaw, President and Co-Founder of Zion Solutions Group, and Chip Steffey, Director of Sales, about how warehouse leaders are adapting operations as labor dynamics and demand patterns continue to shift.

    Drawing on decades of experience advising distribution and fulfillment operations, Shaw and Steffey discussed why traditional assumptions about peak season, workforce models, and facility layouts are changing. They shared what they are seeing inside warehouses today from evolving order profiles and “ever-peak” demand cycles to the operational warning signs that a facility’s design is no longer aligned with real-world volume.

    The conversation also explored how technology is changing the structure of warehouse labor, why flexibility across layout, software, and workforce strategy has become essential, and how leaders can evaluate automation investments when capital, service levels, and operational risk are all in play.

    If your warehouse was built for a different era of demand, this episode offers practical insights on how to think about flexibility, labor, and operational resilience in the years ahead.

    00:00 Introduction to Warehouse Automation and Flexibility

    01:26 Changing Demand Patterns in Warehouse Operations

    05:36 Aligning Warehouse Design with Demand Assumptions

    08:31 Labor Availability and Its Impact on Operations

    11:08 Identifying Rigid Warehouse Layouts

    13:13 Effects of Volume Fluctuations on Operations

    15:13 Assessing Scalability in Warehouse Operations

    17:30 Understanding Flexibility in Warehouse Design

    20:26 Operational Trade-offs in Redesign and Automation

    22:44 Designing for Flexibility in Operations

    25:13 Understanding Current State for Operational Success

    26:40 The Importance of Fresh Perspectives

    28:59 Future of Flexible Design in Warehousing


    Más Menos
    33 m
  • From Film Reels to Fulfillment Robots
    Nov 18 2025

    In this episode of “Warehouse Automation Matters,” host Mary Hart spoke with Kevin Sullivan, COO of Conectiv Supply Chain Solutions. They discussed the company's rich history in media and entertainment, the importance of flexibility in 3PL solutions, and how automation varies across different industries. Sullivan shared insights on balancing customization with scalability, the onboarding process for new customers, and the significance of data in enhancing automation. They also explored the challenges of reverse logistics and the future of automation technologies.

    00:00 Introduction to Conectiv Supply Chain Solutions

    01:09 Flexibility in 3PL Solutions

    02:29 Automation Across Different Industries

    04:41 Balancing Customization with Scalability

    05:34 Onboarding New Customers

    06:50 Packaging and Kitting Automation

    08:46 Handling Returns and Reverse Logistics

    09:42 The Role of Data in Automation

    11:15 Underappreciated Use Cases for Automation

    12:18 Future of Automation and Emerging Technologies

    13:20 Advice for Warehouse Managers

    Más Menos
    14 m
  • Ever-Peak and 3PL Warehouse Automation
    Oct 28 2025

    Fast is easy. Perfect is hard. Inside scale3PL’s playbook for the most demanding moment in supply chain history.


    In this episode of Warehouse Automation Matters, host Mary Hart spoke with Adam Lawicki, Executive Vice President of Strategy at scale3PL, about the changing landscape of e-commerce fulfillment and the critical role of automation. They discussed the pressures brands face in a world where e-commerce is continuously growing, leading to the concept of “ever-peak,” which is the idea that peak demand is now a year-round reality. Lawicki emphasized the importance of automation in meeting these demands efficiently and sustainably, while also addressing labor challenges and the need for intuitive training solutions. The conversation highlighted how scale3PL turns operational exceptions into exceptional customer experiences and offers valuable advice for warehouse leaders considering automation.

    In a world where speed and peak is table stakes, scale3PL is built for precision. They run at ever-peak where automation, design, and discipline turn chaos into calm. Every scan, every shipment, and every exception is engineered to deliver not just accuracy, but confidence. Because in fulfillment, perfection isn’t luck, it’s built.

    00:00 Introduction to scale3PL

    01:54 Understanding Industry Pressures and Ever-Peak

    05:03 The Role of Automation in Meeting Demand

    09:37 Training and User Experience with Automation

    13:54 Addressing Labor Challenges and Flow Optimization

    16:24 Turning Exceptions into Exceptional Experiences

    18:37 Key Decisions in the Automation Journey

    20:22 Advice for Warehouse Leaders on Automation

    21:05 Future of Automation in 3PL

    22:47 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

    Más Menos
    23 m
  • Beyond Price: Choosing the Right 3PL Partner
    Oct 8 2025

    In this episode of Warehouse Automation Matters, host Mary Hart interviews Bryan Corbett, VP of Sales and Marketing at Barrett Distribution Centers. They discuss Bryan's journey into the 3PL industry, the importance of evaluating 3PLs beyond just cost and location, and the significance of human elements in logistics partnerships. Bryan shares insights on identifying red flags in potential partnerships, the role of robotics and automation in warehouses, and the factors that contribute to successful automation implementation.

    00:00 Journey into the 3PL Industry

    02:23 Evaluating 3PL Partnerships

    04:19 Identifying Red Flags in 3PLs

    06:32 The Role of People in 3PL Success

    09:07 Marketing and Human Touch in 3PL

    10:47 Automation and Robotics in Warehousing

    11:54 Driving Change in Automation

    12:32 Strategies for Moving What Matters

    Más Menos
    13 m
  • The Soft Benefits and ROI of Warehouse Automation
    Sep 16 2025

    In this episode of “Warehouse Automation Matters,” host Mary Hart discussed the benefits of warehouse automation with Dave Green and Mike Wills from Peak Technologies. They explored the hesitations companies face regarding automation, the significant ROI timelines, and the softer benefits such as employee satisfaction. The conversation highlighted the importance of solution providers in designing long-term automation strategies and the common pitfalls of DIY automation. The partnership between Peak and Locus Robotics was emphasized as a key factor in successful warehouse automation implementations.

    00:00 Introduction to Warehouse Automation

    02:15 Overcoming Automation Hesitations

    04:48 Understanding ROI in Warehouse Automation

    07:02 Exploring Soft Benefits of Automation

    10:01 Labor Efficiency and Cost Management

    11:43 Complementing Temporary Labor with Automation

    12:58 The Role of Solution Providers

    14:47 Designing Long-Term Automation Strategies

    16:11 Pitfalls of DIY Automation Solutions

    18:08 The Peak and Locus Partnership

    19:47 Unique Challenges in Automation

    21:31 Final Advice for 3PLs on Automation

    Más Menos
    24 m
  • 10 Million Picks and Counting
    Sep 2 2025

    In this episode of Warehouse Automation Matters, Mary Hart sat down with Mike Geiger, VP of IT at KSP Fulfillment, to unpack what it takes to hit 10 million robotic picks, and why that milestone is just the beginning. Geiger shared how automation stabilized labor, reduced training time, and improved employee experience, all while giving KSP the flexibility to scale during peak season. From building a culture of continuous improvement to preparing for what’s next with AI and streamlined systems, this episode offered a firsthand look at how a forward-leaning 3PL is reshaping fulfillment operations for growth and resilience.


    00:00 Introduction to Warehouse Automation and Milestones

    02:18 The Journey of Automation Implementation

    06:59 Employee Response and Cultural Shift

    08:23 Continuous Improvement and Automation

    11:17 Scalability and Customer Relationships

    12:26 Future Innovations and Advice for 3PLs

    Más Menos
    16 m
  • Rolling Out Robots The Radial Way
    Aug 19 2025

    In this conversation, Mary Hart interviewed David Welsh from Radial about the company's journey in scaling warehouse automation. They discussed the motivations behind adopting automation with fulfillment robots, the implementation process with Locus Robotics, and the operational changes observed. David shared insights on collaboration with partners, the impact on employee experience, and the lessons learned throughout the process. The discussion highlighted the importance of quality, productivity, and employee satisfaction in the evolving landscape of fulfillment operations.

    00:00 Introduction to Warehouse Automation and Radial

    01:00 The Journey to Automation: Initial Implementations

    03:21 Expanding Automation: Lessons from the First Rollout

    05:56 Scaling Automation Across Multiple Facilities

    08:19 Workforce Integration and Employee Experience

    10:58 Key Lessons for Fulfillment Leaders

    12:38 The Future of Fulfillment at Radial

    Más Menos
    14 m
  • Automation with a Human Touch
    Aug 5 2025

    In this episode of Warehouse Automation Matters, host Mary Hart interviewed Tony Altman, President and CEO of Motivational Fulfillment. They discussed the evolution of the company, its commitment to continuous improvement, and the integration of technology and automation in warehouse operations. Altman shared insights on change management, the importance of communication, and how automation enhances employee experience while maintaining a people-first culture. He also emphasized the need for customized solutions in automation and offered advice for other 3PL leaders.

    00:00 The Journey of Motivational Fulfillment

    01:55 Commitment to Continuous Improvement

    04:35 Change Management in Warehouse Operations

    05:33 Building a Flexible WMS

    06:10 Real-Time Decision Making and Visibility

    07:10 Balancing Automation with a People-First Culture

    08:27 Training for New Technologies

    09:28 Impact of Robotics on Workforce Morale

    10:30 Future of Fulfillment Strategy

    11:25 Advice for 3PL Leaders on Automation

    Más Menos
    12 m