Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

newsworthy

Networking, peer-to-peer learning highlights for attendees at 40th annual WERC Conference

Eight popular sessions were recorded and will be made available online.

The Warehousing Education and Research Council's (WERC) 40th Annual Conference for Logistics Professionals—held this year in Fort Worth, Texas—wrapped up on May 3. In addition to more than 80 educational sessions, multiple breakout presentations, and Peer-2-Peer discussion groups covering the latest trends and best practices in our field, the feedback most often heard was about how much attendees appreciated the numerous opportunities for intimate networking.

It makes sense when you consider that so many of the participants are logistics management professionals (from a broad range of industries) who rely on WERC as their primary resource for industry-specific education and access to others within the field. The relationships established at the Annual Conference provide value that extends far beyond the three days of activities.


This year's networking started Sunday with a Kick Start Welcome Reception, followed by "Meet and Eat" dinner outings for attendees to share a casual meal. Monday and Tuesday also featured three separate opportunities to visit vendors in the Solutions Center, a Women @ WERC breakfast, and evening receptions.

As attendees forged new relationships and strengthened existing ones, there was much conversation about the topics presented by the General Session speakers and off-site facility tours (including Walmart, The Container Store, and Dillard's distribution centers; a Kuehne + Nagel-managed facility for Allergan Pharmaceuticals; and even a tour of AT&T Stadium—home of the Dallas Cowboys).

The most talked-about sessions covered topics such as metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs), information technology and software, transportation, labor management, outsourcing, and execution strategies. They included:

  • "Metrics in the DC: Annual Workplace Study," which presented the latest performance data gathered from WERC members and DC Velocity readers. The findings, available through www.werc.org, support benchmarking.
  • "Transportation Market Update." This session explored both recent and long-term pricing trends in major transportation modes, as well as procurement best practices and transportation-capacity market myths.
  • "Improve Workplace Safety with Adaptive Microlearning,"which shared how Walmart Logistics delivers training that is short, entertaining, and socialized, reducing employee resistance while creating a safety culture.

  • "Increase Productivity by Mastering Key Behavior Indicators,"which correlated traditional KPIs with key behavior indicators (KBIs) that impact employee productivity and mobilization.
  • "Vested Outsourcing: Five Rules To Transform Supplier Relationships,"which examined the University of Tennessee's research on structuring win-win contracts that motivate suppliers to invest in innovation.
  • "Multichannel Distribution at The Container Store," which explored the company's intra-logistics solution to fill e-commerce orders and replenish retail stores.
  • "The Buzz from the Warehouse: Employee Opinion Survey Results," which detailed the latest developments in the logistics labor market.
  • "Supply Chain Innovation—Beyond the Buzzword," which discussed how collaboration and partnerships with customers, vendors, suppliers, startups, and third-party providers drive higher levels innovation.
Missed the Conference?

You're in luck. The eight most popular sessions were recorded and will be made available online within a few weeks. Check www.werc.org for details. And it's not too early to plan to attend the 2018 WERC Annual Conference, held May 6-9, 2018, in Charlotte, N.C. More information can be found at www.werc.org.

Annette Danek-Akey is senior vice president of fulfillment for Penguin Random House Inc. and the WERC 2017 Annual Conference committee chair.

The Latest

Artificial Intelligence

AI: Is it the real deal?

More Stories

Logistics economy picked up speed in January

Logistics Managers' Index

Logistics economy picked up speed in January

Economic activity in the logistics industry expanded in January, growing at its fastest clip in more than two years, according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, released this week.

The LMI jumped nearly five points from December to a reading of 62, reflecting continued steady growth in the U.S. economy along with faster-than-expected inventory growth across the sector as retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers attempted to manage the uncertainty of tariffs and a changing regulatory environment. The January reading represented the fastest rate of expansion since June 2022, the LMI researchers said.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

Disrupting the furniture supply chain: An interview with Jay Rogers

Disrupting the furniture supply chain: An interview with Jay Rogers

As commodities go, furniture presents its share of manufacturing and distribution challenges. For one thing, it's bulky. Second, its main components—wood and cloth—are easily damaged in transit. Third, much of it is manufactured overseas, making for some very long supply chains with all the associated risks. And finally, completed pieces can sit on the showroom floor for weeks or months, tying up inventory dollars and valuable retail space.

In other words, the furniture market is ripe for disruption. And John "Jay" Rogers wants to be the catalyst. In 2022, he cofounded a company that takes a whole new approach to furniture manufacturing—one that leverages the power of 3D printing and robotics. Rogers serves as CEO of that company, Haddy, which essentially aims to transform how furniture—and all elements of the "built environment"—are designed, manufactured, distributed, and, ultimately, recycled.

Keep ReadingShow less
chart of GenAI effect on workforce

Gartner: GenAI tools create anxiety among employees

Generative AI (GenAI) is being deployed by 72% of supply chain organizations, but most are experiencing just middling results for productivity and ROI, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc.

That’s because productivity gains from the use of GenAI for individual, desk-based workers are not translating to greater team-level productivity. Additionally, the deployment of GenAI tools is increasing anxiety among many employees, providing a dampening effect on their productivity, Gartner found.

Keep ReadingShow less
warehouse worker driving forklift between racks

German 3PL Arvato acquires two U.S. logistics firms

The German third party logistics provider (3PL) Arvato this week acquired the U.S.-headquartered companies Carbel LLC and United Customs Services, saying the move would grow its client base, particularly in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle segments.

According to Arvato, it made the move in order to better serve the U.S. e-commerce sector, which has experienced high growth rates in recent years and is expected to grow year-on-year by 5% within the next five years.

Keep ReadingShow less
photo collage of warehouse tech

Supply chain pros are wary of inflation and labor woes

The top worries that supply chain leaders hope to address with new innovations this year include inflationary concerns (68%) and labor shortages (50%), according to a survey on innovation from the third-party logistics provider (3PL) Kenco.

And many of them will have a budget to do it, since 51% of supply chain professionals with existing innovation budgets saw an increase earmarked for 2025, suggesting an even greater emphasis on investing in new technologies to meet rising demand, Kenco said in its “2025 Supply Chain Innovation” survey.

Keep ReadingShow less