DCs Work Smarter To Address Labor Challenges

Strong economy and the challenge of working in an omnichannel environment are leading companies to invest in productivity enhancing technologies in the warehouse and distribution center.

Process improvements, new hiring plans, and a closer look at software and technology upgrades are at the top of most companies’ to-do lists over the next year, according to a survey of DC decision makers.

A recent survey of companies that run one or more distribution centers (DCs) nationwide revealed that hiring and other labor-related challenges top their list of concerns in today’s changing business climate.

Growing sales and the pressures of working in an omnichannel environment have led to increased DC staffing and rising wages over the past year, and difficulties hiring new workers are causing business leaders to invest in the people, processes, and technology needed to improve efficiency. Software upgrades and process-improvement initiatives are the leading strategies for addressing those labor challenges.

The 2017 Warehouse and Distribution Center Employment Outlook Survey, conducted by AGiLE Business Media and sponsored by software supplier Lucas Systems, polled 100 warehouse and distribution center professionals to get the pulse of the industry’s employment market and identify emerging trends and challenges.

In this report, we take an in-depth look at the results, which not only address the greatest labor challenges many warehouses and distribution centers face today, but also identify steps companies are taking to combat those challenges.