Warehouse and supply chain management can be a complicated process that requires streamlined operations to ensure smooth functioning. Every aspect of warehousing, such as sorting, picking, packing, and shipping, must be planned meticulously to meet the customer’s requirements and satisfy their preferences. When it comes to the garment industry, where multiple SKUs and sizes need to be managed under different brands, a proper sorting system is paramount. With over 50 years of experience in garment-on-hanger solutions, we have seen both the challenges and the advantages that can be presented. This blog post will discuss the garment-on-hanger sortation system, its advantages, and how it can be implemented to maximize efficiency and save costs.
What is a Garment On Hanger Sortation System?
A Garment On Hanger (GOH) sortation system is an automated method of sorting, storing, and transporting garments. The system uses specialized equipment, such as overhead rail systems, conveyors, and sorters, to handle different types of clothes, hangers, and packaging. GOH systems increase productivity, reduce labor costs, and offer higher efficiency compared to traditional garment handling methods.
Advantages of a GOH Sortation System
Increased efficiency – The GOH sortation system is an automated process that can handle a high volume of garments quickly and efficiently. The system can sort, store, and transport the garments in a structured manner, eliminating chances of error and reducing handling time.
Better inventory management – The GOH system offers precise tracking and monitoring of garments, which helps the management team maintain an accurate inventory count. The system can also store garments in a designated location, making it easier for the team to locate and pick the desired garment quickly.
Higher storage capacity – With a GOH sorting system, there is less risk of damage and wastage of clothing, ensuring that the garments remain in good condition for longer. The system also offers higher storage capacity than conventional garment sorting methods, making it ideal for warehouses with limited space.
Sustainable operations – GOH systems help reduce the use of packaging materials, such as boxes and plastic bags, which contribute to environmental pollution. The system also offers more sustainable operations by increasing the lifespan of clothing, reducing carbon footprint, and promoting a circular economy.
Implementation of a GOH Sortation System
Implementing the GOH sortation system requires proper planning, assessment, and execution. Here are some steps to consider when implementing the system:
Assessment of the warehouse layout – warehouses should have adequate space with overhead rails and conveyor systems to ensure the system can function effectively. It is advisable to conduct a feasibility study to identify the ideal areas where the system can be installed.
Integration of the system – the GOH sortation system should integrate with existing warehouse management systems to ensure seamless operations. This will require software development and hardware installation to ensure that the system can integrate into the existing environment.
Training and support – with any new technology implementation, there is often a need for training and support for the warehouse teams. The teams will need to understand how the system works, how to operate the equipment, and how to maintain it.
ABCO Systems is a premier provider of GOH sortation and storage solutions. We have been installing GOH solutions for numerous apparel brands for over 50 years and bring this experience to all customers to provide the best solution to meet each customer’s unique needs.
The Garment on Hanger (GOH) sortation system is an automated method of sorting, storing, and transporting garments, increasing productivity and reducing labor costs.
Benefits of the system include increased efficiency, better inventory management, higher storage capacity, and sustainable operations.
Implementation of the GOH sortation system requires assessment of the warehouse layout, integration with existing systems, and training for the warehouse team.
Integrating a GOH sortation system can help maximize efficiency and save costs in garment warehouses.
To most people, the idea of automated labor seems like something out of the realm of sci-fi. With visions of Rosie the Robot dancing in our heads, it’s hard to believe we’re living in the future that so long seemed restricted to the realm of fiction.
And yet, these days, automated labor has become more common, and more practical, than ever before—and nowhere is this truer than within the distribution and fulfillment industries. Automation investment can make sure that your distribution center is prepared for the challenges of operating at peak profitability in the current market landscape.
As employers face issues of employee unreliability, high turnover, and increasing labor shortages through the distribution space, automation is more than just a future fantasy. It’s quickly becoming vital to commercial success in the here and now.
A closer look at labor scarcity
According to a recent report published by The Washington Post, over 43 million Americans quit their jobs over the course of 2021. Commonly called the “great resignation,” this wave of employee departures shows no sign of slowing. In fact, some employers report that resignation is currently at an all-time high.
So what’s the future of the great resignation? Expert predictions vary, with some stating that the trend will continue into 2023 and beyond. Other experts predict that more Americans are getting back to work—but that the attitude towards labor and willingness to walk away from a job that no longer feels rewarding will likely stay the same.
As demand for online shopping surges and e-commerce sales continue to become a preferred retail method for Americans throughout the United States, employees face increased hours and higher stress levels as they try to keep up with the growing demand.
The result? An increasingly unstable labor market that shows no signs of self-correcting, leaving employers facing higher costs and worse results. In fact, according to one study, as many as 73% of warehouse operators struggled to find adequate labor.
We need to face the facts: what was once a trend is quickly becoming a labor market norm, one that disproportionately impacts operators of distribution centers, warehouses, and other third-party logistics professionals, where staffing shortages are worsened by increasingly high turnover rates.
Automation: the wave of the future Automation may once have seemed like a sci-fi solution to the sector’s labor woes, but these technologies have increasingly become a critical aspect of the manufacturing and logistics world’s real-world operations. In fact, a study published in the Harvard Business Review indicated that within the next four years, the global warehouse automation market can be expected to double in value, with supply chain leaders describing warehouse automation as, …” One of their top three priorities for digital investment.” Workers cited by the study also expressed optimism, with many sharing their excitement for the potential of automation technologies to improve safety, increase speed and efficiency, and allow them to produce higher-quality work. The advantages of automating processes that were once performed by human labor is clear to employers who have struggled to maintain adequate staffing within their warehouses. Automation cuts down on your need to hire, making it easier to increase order accuracy, and productivity, and focus on reducing workplace injury for warehouse employees. Not only does automation reduce the need for labor, but it also makes work less demanding, reducing the turnover rate and leading to lower stress levels and a more positive work environment that encourages employees to stick around. These days, there are many forms of warehouse automation in common use. Companies use warehouse management systems to automate manual processes, inventory control, and data capture, supporting data analysis. Using this software in conjunction with technology such as sensors and robotics helps minimize the need for human labor, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Making automation practical It’s no secret that warehouses and the fulfillment industry as a whole continue to be major drivers of change within the American economy. Around 1.5 million American workers are employed in the warehouse and storage sector, many of whom are ambivalent about the impact that the coming automation revolution may have on their careers. However, when approached correctly, automation can actually be a critical asset in supporting the fulfillment sector for both workers and employers alike. The key to making automation an asset? Communication and training at every step of the way. Automation can do a lot, but it still requires human intelligence and discernment to perform at its most effective level. Instead of framing automation as a threat to employees, employers should share the way that automation can make their lives better, and their jobs easier. Done correctly, automation takes the pressure off, handling all the most dangerous, difficult, and repetitively dull tasks, leaving workers free to think more creatively and focus on building their skill sets on a higher operational level. This need for training is apparent even to workers who are otherwise enthusiastic about the potential automation brings to their workspaces. As 35% of the warehouse workers interviewed in the Harvard study reported, workers fear that inadequate training resources will make it difficult for employees used to the old way of doing things to succeed in the new digitized, automated workspaces of the future. “I think the more the warehouse is automated, the better we’ll all perform,” said one warehouse supervisor cited by the study. “Robots will greatly diminish our workloads, reduce risks, and increase productivity. But if we don’t know how to handle them, they’re hardly going to do any good.” To assuage these fears, employers in the distribution and fulfillment space need to place a priority on training, communication, and open conversations with employees as they move forward into the coming automation revolution. Emphasizing the potential career growth possibilities moving towards automation offers will allow workers to envision their longer term prospects working within the fulfillment sector, helping get them on board to perform the tasks necessary for accessing the full potential of automation technology. As warehouse work continues to be a mainstay of the global economy, automation technologies can make a major positive impact. When human capital combines with the power of automation, anything is possible.
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.
With third-party logistics providers on the rise, it is evident that the unprecedented growth the world witnessed in the e-commerce sector is here to stay.
Keeping up with the fast-changing landscape of the economy presents major challenges for 3PLs.
Here are some of the most notable challenges in 3PL distribution:
1. Meeting Consumer Expectations
COVID-19 has demonstrated exactly how fast consumer expectations can change. As a result, many companies have had to develop e-commerce fulfillment and online delivery options quickly while also adhering to strict operative guidelines. To make matters more complicated, e-commerce giants like Amazon have set the standard for consumers by offering free two-day shipping, accurate and fast order fulfillment, and full visibility of product-tracking.
To keep up, 3PLs can utilize dynamic storage solutions, warehouse automation hardware, and warehouse design consultation services to optimize their storage strategy and space. Solutions providers like ABCO Systems can help 3PLs design their e-commerce fulfillment centers to optimize throughput, drive down costs, and stay efficient.
2. Acquiring + Retaining Talent
A 2019 Report by Inbound Logistics showed that 64% of 3PL providers listed finding, training, and retaining qualified labor as a challenge they face. To stay competitive, providing high-quality service is of extreme importance in a consumer-focused industry. Without acquiring and retaining the right talent, e-commerce brands stand to lose a positive reputation, face slower business growth, and potentially lose money on higher labor costs.
To offset the risks and costs associated with turnover, providers can turn to 3PL warehouse automation solutions that reduce fulfillment times for orders. The right solution can reduce labor costs tremendously, and simplify operations in a way that simplifies the training process, too.
3. 3PL Warehouse Design + Automation
In the dynamic landscape of today’s economy, it’s no surprise that many distribution and e-commerce fulfillment centers today are struggling to scale their warehouse capacity to match demand. It is easy for warehouse spaces to become stagnant with outdated setups that past operations once required. To work around the conundrum of changing storage and capabilities requirements, 3PLs can consult 3PL solutions providers for insights on how to optimize their warehouse design and solicit specific recommendations on customizable storage solutions and 3PL warehouse automation hardware that maximize warehouse space and improve order fulfillment operations on a daily basis. Though automation requires a large initial investment, it reduces an operation’s overall cost-to-serve and can improve ROI in less than 24 months.
4. Shipment Visibility + Analytics
Managing inventory from a wide range of vendors can make it very difficult for 3PLs and e-commerce brands to ensure fast shipping times. To meet consumer standards, 3PLs must rely on leading-edge warehouse execution systems to be able to track and record all warehouse operations in real-time. To continuously manage those expectations, 3PLs must also depend on data analytics to identify and modify inefficient across their operations. By automating their supply chain processes and integrating them with all suppliers, 3PL companies stand to create much more long-lasting relationships with their consumers.
In 2020, the world of e-commerce saw unprecedented growth due to COVID-19, with even the largest e-commerce retailers like Amazon struggling to keep up with the demand. As we know, Amazon has set the standard for order-fulfillment for fast and/or free shipping. Intuitively, a 2021 report by Shopify, a leading e-commerce store platform, shows that 67% of U.S. consumers expect either same-, next-, or two-day delivery, with a full 65% of consumers checking free-shipping thresholds before even adding something to their carts.
Moving forward into 2021, third-party logistics providers continue to adapt to this fast-changing landscape in order to meet the ever-growing need for e-commerce fulfillment.
Here are some of the key ways 3PLs can prepare for another year of growth in e-commerce:
Warehouse Automation
Looking to 2021, 3PLs will have to rely on integrated supply chain solutions like automation to increase inventory control. 3PLs benefit from cost-to-serve modeling to do so. In other words, the more 3PLs can save on their internal process efficiencies, the more profit they can make. Warehouse automation hardware like conveyor systems, print & apply solutions, inbound & shipping sorters, put-to-light technology, order-fulfillment picking devices, and infrared technology for application weighing are all worthy automation solutions that can make growth in 2021 seamless.
Automated Storage
During peak-growth, 3PLs often need to expand their warehouse capabilities. Thus, 3PLs should look to warehouse storage solutions to increase their operational storage efficiency. According to 3PL news, a 3PL industry newshub, automated warehouses use up about 40% less floor space than traditional warehouses. To decrease your operation’s footprint, automated warehouse storage solutions like push back storage rack systems, pallet flow conveyors, automated pallet storage and beyond can all reduce 3PLs storage costs.
Labor Management
3PLs looking to follow the largest e-commerce retailers lead in labor management can benefit from basic labor management practices moving into 2021. These practices include:
Surveying team members on their concerns or challenges with new technologies
Implementing change management teams to oversee changes
Using robust systems to track laborer performance
Creating systems for worker and supervisor feedback
And putting worker safety at the forefront of all warehouse operations
Risk Management
A 2021 3PL Logistics Study by Infosys Consulting, Penske Logistics and Penn State University showed that readiness and continuity planning is a priority for 3PLs post-pandemic. Thus, internal strategies for unforeseen obstacles and challenges in the supply chain should be laid out for individual 3PLs in the coming year to better prepare.
In 2021, the 3PL businesses can emerge through another year of rapid growth by committing to smart practices and cost-saving hardware. By streamlining order fulfillment processes and investing in high-quality, innovative solutions— 3PLs may come out the other side just in time to grow with the trends.
