ABCO & Fetch Robotics – Innovative Distribution Solutions

ABCO & Fetch Robotics – Innovative Distribution Solutions

ABCO Systems offers design engineering expertise to provide custom solutions for material handling and distribution system design for their customers. This requires a team of professionals who understand the intricacies of the modern-day distribution center, and the right strategic partners to meet and exceed the goals of our customers.

We are excited to highlight our partnership with Fetch Robotics, a pioneer of on-demand automation. Intelligent automation can be the workforce multiplier needed to accelerate throughput and productivity. Automation reduces congestion in aisles, limiting interactions between workers and potentially hazardous heavy loads and equipment, enhancing safety as well as performance and productivity.

Being able to incorporate Fetch Robotics into our design engineering allows us to provide both innovation and resilience to personalize each design to the unique needs of the customer.
To learn more about ABCO Systems Solutions with Fetch Robotics, contact us at 201-429-0580 or at [email protected]. We look forward to providing you with your custom design solution with a unique blend of efficiency and resilience.

ABCO Systems – Solutions engineered for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

The Evolution of the Warehouse – Where it Began

The Evolution of the Warehouse – Where it Began

Warehousing as we know it evolved from the granaries of early civilization that were built to store surplus food for future consumption. This process was further evolved by the Romans who built the Horrea Galbae which was the precursor to the modern-day warehouse where goods are stored for import, export, and distribution.

Roman Warehouse

Horrea Galbae

The Horrea Galbae itself was located on the Tiber River and contained over 140rooms within its 225,000 square feet of space. The structure housed the public’s grain as well as other imported goods. These structures were strategically located near seaports to make it easier for imported goods to be transferred from ships to the structure for housing and distribution. In later years, these warehouses would similarly be located near rail depots as railways became more popular for moving goods from one place to another.

The term “warehouse” was first coined in Britain in the 1300s, its meaning being “a structure or room for the storage of merchandise or commodities.” So, your “wares” were stored in this “house”. At this time in history, Britain was focused on expanding its territories across the sea and these “warehouses” were constructed in port cities all over the world, expanding global trade routes for import and export across the globe.

It was during the industrial revolution that the word “warehouse” was changed to a verb as goods were now “warehoused” for sale and distribution and the purpose of the warehouse shifted from static storage to the movement of goods. As mass production in factories grew, the need for more storage and efficient movement of goods became a vital aspect of trading.

the rise of the railroad for transportation led to more warehouses being built at these transportation hubs; allowing manufacturers to move their goods faster and farther than ever before. This expansion created new markets a swell as transformed small towns into bustling cities.

The Second Industrial Revolution took place in the late 1800s and was powered by electricity which further expanded the reach of manufacturing and distribution. It was during this time that

Sears, Roebuck & Co.

The Sears & Roebuck Chicago distribution complex

Sears, Roebuck & Co., became the “Amazon” of its time. The Sears catalog brought thousands of items into the hands of people across the country. From clothing and toys to appliances, medical supplies and so much more. This merchandise was housed in the huge Sears distribution complex in Chicago which covered 3 million square feet. Handwritten orders were received all year long; these were fulfilled by workers who searched endless aisles for the right product, size, color, etc. The need for automation was there, but the solution would not come fast enough for the weary warehouse workers.

The 1900s brought machine-driven factories that offered mass production of goods and new forms of transportation that gave manufacturers an even farther reach. Goods were now moved by land, sea, and air to reach more consumers and wherever these goods were shipped there was a warehouse to store and distribute them.

Assembly Line

Assembly Line Mass Production

Larger items were now easily mass-produced on assembly lines. Cars, appliances, and other items now required the use of hand trucks or motorized carts and forklifts to move the heavy parts from one place to another during the manufacturing process.

It was in the 1950s that the first automated guided vehicle (AGV) was introduced to carry heavy loads in factories ad warehouses. The AGV was akin to a tow truck that did not require a driver or rail system. It was navigated with a track of wires embedded in the floor that generated a magnetic field. The AGV became an integral part of the manufacturing process as it moved heavy materials along a defined route and removed repetitive and dangerous tasks previously performed by workers and allowed the workers to focus more on other tasks.

 

 

Happy National Plant a Flower Day!

Happy National Plant a Flower Day!

Over 145 million years ago, our world was covered in ferns and conifers resulting in an expanse of green; until flowers appeared in the Cretaceous period and brought more color to our world.  The first flowers were swiftly diversified thanks to the insects and dinosaurs facilitating the pollination process.

Flowering plants are vital to existence. They constitute food sources that provide humans and animals the sustenance needed to survive.

Flowers also have a unique quality to inspire happiness.  Many flowers bloom just for a short period, usually in spring or early summer. Although short-lived, few things compare to the beauty of flowers in full bloom. Perhaps their transient yet incomparable beauty inspired the symbolic meanings of flowers across various world cultures.

Throughout civilization, flowers have been associated with certain myths and symbolism. Their fragility has come to represent both life and death and they sometimes are used to represent gods and goddesses. There is no doubt that flowers in full bloom are a universal expression of joy.

During the late 1800s in Europe, a new concept around flowers became popular. These stunning blooms became a way to represent people’s feelings. Communicating through flower arrangements helped articulate the unsaid. Soon, codebooks to decipher the language of flowers would make communication easier. For example, a field clover meant, “When can I see you again?” A red rose petal meant “Yes.” Green flowers signified the receiver’s heart was made of stone!

The days of complex flower codes may be long gone, but flowers continue to bring joy and meaning to our lives. We may never know who came up with National Plant A Flower Day, but the real question isn’t ”why?” but “why not?”

So Happy National Plant a Flower Day from the ABCO Systems WolfPack.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of flowers.

Thank you ABCO Wolfpack!

Thank you ABCO Wolfpack!

The first Friday in March has been designated as Employee Appreciation Day.  It was created to focus all employers on recognizing and honoring their employees.  Employees are a company’s greatest asset. about their well-being, they’re 38 percent more engaged and 18 percent more likely to go the extra mile. When employers or managers express gratitude, say thank you, and show appreciation through celebration and encouragement, employee job satisfaction and engagement increase.

So, if you’re wondering what you can do to show your employees you care, here are some tips on how you can show appreciation for your employees today.

3 Reasons to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

1. A little recognition can make a big difference. Employee recognition isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each employee’s motivation is unique to them. But most employees need to know their efforts are being recognized and valued in some way to drive performance.

How to give employees public recognition:

  • Send a companywide or teamwide email to congratulate an employee for a job well done
  • Share an employee success story in a team meeting
  • Compile a list of wins across the company to highlight at your next company meeting

2. Employee retention is critical to the success of your company. Great employees can be hard to come by. And if you lose them — it can be costly to your bottom line. To retain your top employees, they need to feel valued, recognized and that their role has real meaning. This can be directly tied to employee engagement — the deep connection and sense of purpose at work that creates extra energy and commitment. When employees feel supported by their employer, they are more likely to still be there in a year. To increase employee retention, focus on employees’ engagement and well-being — and always put your people first.

Ways to increase employee retention with appreciation:

  • Encourage employees to take an extra-long lunch break to recharge
  • Offer work-from-home days
  • Send an employee to a conference of their choice for personal or professional development
  • Offer a free financial session or yoga class

3. When employees feel valued, they work harder. Employees recognized or rewarded by their manager is one thing. But when employees feel like they’re making a real impact on the business with appreciation from a co-worker, client, or even executive, they feel even more valued. Employees who see the results of their hard work and are reminded just how important their work is will ultimately work harder.

We know that when a company invests in the well-being of employees, they’re more engaged. And more engaged employees mean better business results. In a study conducted by Harvard Business School, researchers found that workers are distressed when managers don’t say thank you or express appreciation for their work. Recognition for achievements or simple gestures for doing well reinforces employees’ accomplishments, which motivates them to do more.

How to motivate employees with appreciation: 

  • Design jobs that are fulfilling and provide ongoing organizational support
  • Offer growth opportunities such as putting them on a big project or involving them in strategic decisions
  • Go to coffee with your employees to discuss their unique goals so they know you’re invested in their personal and professional success

Click to download our infographic: 7 Ways to Show Your Team You Care

Ref: Peterson, M. (2022). Why You Should Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day. Retrieved from: https://www.limeade.com/resources/blog/three-reasons-celebrate-employee-appreciation-day/