We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » ProMatDX 2021: Five steps to retrofit success

ProMatDX 2021: Five steps to retrofit success

Integrator DMW&H outlined what actions companies can take to make sure the upgrade of an existing facility goes smoothly.

April 13, 2021
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

Retrofitting an existing distribution center can be tricky business. That’s because most companies want that DC to remain operational while also making major changes to it to prepare for the future.

In fact, Michael Roe, senior account executive at material handling system integrator DMW&H compares the retrofitting process to open heart surgery. “We have to keep the patient alive while doing it,” he explained during an educational session at the ProMat DX2021 digital trade show.

To make this complex operation more likely to succeed, Roe outlined five critical steps that companies should undertake during any retrofit. 

  • Understand your business. For a retrofit to be successful, companies need to identify the best time to perform the upgrade. It would be inadvisable, for example, to undertake it during the company’s peak shipping season.
  • Choose the right partner. Companies should look to work with an outside expert that they trust and that has a proven track record of successful retrofits.
  • Plan, align, commit. Companies need to create a solid plan with their partners around how the retrofit will be conducted. They must also constantly make sure that everyone is committed to the plan and aligned about what the next steps are.
  • Get dirty, come out clean. All major projects like a retrofit will encounter problems, said Roe. Companies, therefore, should go into the project, expecting that there will be hiccups along the way. The emphasis, according to Roe, should not be on assigning blame for the problem but on working together with partners to communicate about issues and find an achievable answer.
  • Be flexible. Unforeseen things will happen with every project, companies must be prepared to be flexible and adapt to any challenges that they encounter, recommended Roe.
This education session will be available again for viewing on April 19 to all registered attendees of ProMat DX. To register, click here.

Material Handling
  • Related Articles

    ProMatDX 2021: Steps to modernizing your warehouse

    Five Steps to Scanner Success

    Six steps to a successful retrofit

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

Freightos completes plan to go public on NASDAQ exchange, raises $80 million

Retailers lose visibility as they outsource last-mile delivery, FarEye says

Warehouse robots drive change in automotive plant

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Outlook 2023: What’s in store for logistics/supply chain?

  • Ports, maritime operators see tide turning as ocean freight tsunami subsides

  • In Person: Steve Beverly of Penske

  • InPerson interview: Rob McKeel of Fortna

  • Shipping groups back bipartisan trucking overhaul bill

Now Playing on DCV-TV

89cfed30 8aac 4284 960d c8c8c1886e16

Have you checked your read rate lately?

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
No reads. Unaccounted for boxes. Boxes sent to the wrong place. A logistics nightmare! But this nightmare doesn’t have to come true. SICK’s linear line scan camera is what dreams are made of for your logistics operations. And if you’re worried about motion and vibration from conveyor belts...well, there’s no reason...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

  • Fulfillment Facility Improved Efficiencies by 4x

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • Reusable Packaging for the New Wave of Supply Chain Automation

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing