Future of logistics and warehousing in the USA

1. FUTURE OF LOGISTICS AND WAREHOUSING IN THE USA

2. History The need for mass storage is not a new practice. It has The need for mass storage is not a new practice. It has been prevalent for centuries; the ancient Romans built been prevalent for centuries; the ancient Romans built unique places to store the surplus grain procured from unique places to store the surplus grain procured from ordinary people. Apart from grains, the storage space ordinary people. Apart from grains, the storage space also housed wine, clothes, and imported olive oil also housed wine, clothes, and imported olive oil products. It is also imperative to understand how our products. It is also imperative to understand how our ancestors used to place these establishments ancestors used to place these establishments strategically. While on a conquering spree, the Romans strategically. While on a conquering spree, the Romans are believed to have undertaken a giant project near the are believed to have undertaken a giant project near the Tiber river. This was done to ease the process of storage Tiber river. This was done to ease the process of storage and transportation after newer conquests were made. and transportation after newer conquests were made.

3. The Technology Factor The initial substantial impact of technology came with the The initial substantial impact of technology came with the improved supply chain management that overtook improved supply chain management that overtook traditional and inaccurate methods. Advanced computers traditional and inaccurate methods. Advanced computers laid the groundwork for new platforms, such as radio- laid the groundwork for new platforms, such as radio- frequency identification (RFID) and sophisticated asset frequency identification (RFID) and sophisticated asset tracking systems that are used today. This system has tracking systems that are used today. This system has improved the performance and quality with which improved the performance and quality with which products can be shipped significantly. products can be shipped significantly.

4. Customer Service Trust plays a significant role in Trust plays a significant role in storage and warehouse services services. The company must have years of experience in . The company must have years of experience in the industry for customers to trust them to leave their the industry for customers to trust them to leave their possessions with them. People are getting accustomed possessions with them. People are getting accustomed to instant customer service; they get anxious even if their to instant customer service; they get anxious even if their possessions are delayed by a few hours. Companies possessions are delayed by a few hours. Companies must devise solutions for timely delivery. Also, it would must devise solutions for timely delivery. Also, it would be better if customers could track the real-time be better if customers could track the real-time movement of their goods. movement of their goods. storage and warehouse

5. Automation More and more companies are investing in R&D in the More and more companies are investing in R&D in the transport and warehousing sector. The need for human transport and warehousing sector. The need for human input would become obsolete. This could turn into a labor input would become obsolete. This could turn into a labor crisis, but it would lead to a speedy process without crisis, but it would lead to a speedy process without corruption. The development of techniques to handle corruption. The development of techniques to handle different natures of products like FMCG, chemicals, different natures of products like FMCG, chemicals, fragile goods, etc., should be a benchmark. fragile goods, etc., should be a benchmark.

6. Future Complete automation may be a dream that could take Complete automation may be a dream that could take centuries. Although the increase and need of the sector centuries. Although the increase and need of the sector would remain prevalent, labor required like drivers and would remain prevalent, labor required like drivers and handypersons could see a severe shortage due to handypersons could see a severe shortage due to increasing literacy rates. increasing literacy rates.

7. Conclusion The warehousing industry has a very bright future. The warehousing industry has a very bright future. Customers should only trust agencies with proven track Customers should only trust agencies with proven track records, quality checks, and risk assessment systems. records, quality checks, and risk assessment systems. Conwareco’s Inventory Depot is a warehousing, Conwareco’s Inventory Depot is a warehousing, distribution, and 3PL logistics company in NorthCarolina. distribution, and 3PL logistics company in NorthCarolina. Since 1955, we have provided exceptional warehousing, Since 1955, we have provided exceptional warehousing, distribution, order fulfilment, and transportation and distribution, order fulfilment, and transportation and supply chain management solutions throughout the supply chain management solutions throughout the Southeastern United States, specifically the Hickory, Southeastern United States, specifically the Hickory, Asheville, and Charlotte regions. Asheville, and Charlotte regions.

8. Contact Us Reach out to us for inquiries or comments. (828) 328 8119 PHONE NUMBER dparham@conwareco.com EMAIL ADDRESS www.theinventorydepot.com WEBSITE