An Evaluation of Warehouse Operations & Trends

Introduction and Methodology
This research was conducted by the Peerless Research Group on behalf of Logistics Management and Modern Materials Handling, and marks our eighth annual Evaluation of Warehouse Operations survey.

The study was conducted to evaluate current activities and to assess any trends in the evolution of warehouses and distribution-center facilities and operations.

Specific areas of investigation include:

• Nature of distribution center’s operations
• Size of distribution center and scope of distribution activities
• Areas for possible expansion
• Distribution center systems and technologies in use
• Means for measuring productivity
• Environmental or ‘green’ initiatives implemented and planned for future use
• Actions taken to manage operating and transportation costs
• Events that cause disruptions in distribution center operations

The report compares this year’s findings to 2012 and, in some instances, 2011 results. In each wave, the survey was administered via email invitation to subscribers of Peerless Media, LLC., Supply Chain Group magazines. Respondents were qualified for being involved in decisions as they pertain to their company’s distribution center operations.