2011 Conference Recordings

The following are recorded 2011 Conference sessions. If you attended the WERC conference and don't see one listed, it because either the quality of the recording was poor or the speaker requested that the presentation not be recorded. 

All of the sessions are available to WERC members as a benefit of membership. You must be logged in to access the recordings.

Not a WERC member? It is easy to become one. Click here to join WERC and then come back to access all of the recording. Non-members can also purchase individual access to the recordings by going to the non-member links as they are listed below.

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DC Measures Annual Report

This is the study you wait for each Spring in which WERC members and DC Velocity readers identify the most critical metrics used in today's DCs. The researchers will share how well firms are performing and tell which industry segments are experiencing better performance. You'll hear about up-to-the-minute data that you can use to benchmark your operational metrics. This session was recorded on Sunday, May 15, 2011.

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How to Use Employee Benchmarking to Improve Productivity

Labor is one of the highest cost centers in most DC operations. A well-designed performance management system can empower managers andemployees with the information needed to improve productivity and be more successful as an organization. During this session you will learn how to determine what metrics to track, how to create multi-variate performance systems, and how to create employee benchmarking and pay for performance programs that will drive productivity and quality and lower labor costs. This recording was made on May 16, 2011.

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FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) Change Coming

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Contract Packaging & Distribution Ops Integration

The role of the warehouse continues to change. An increasing number of CPG manufacturers are consolidating the contract packaging function into DC operations. Performing packaging within the DC cuts supply chain cycle time and avoids millions of miles in added freight runs to and from third-party packaging companies. It also gives these companies added flexibility to quickly configure prodct to the exact specification of retail customers. This session will review a case study of how a major CPG manufacturer is executing the strategy to improve customer satisfaction, cut freight costs and reduce the company's carbon footprint.

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Cross Docking: The Benefits, the Trends and Beyond

In 2008, Saddle Creek Corporation conducted ground-breaking research on cross-docking practices, challenges and trends in the U.S. logistics industry and published the results. Responding to widespread interest from industry professionals, the 3PL revisited that study in 2011 to ask: Are companies still finding that the practice improves service levels, helps to control transportation costs and reduces the need for warehouse space? The updated report examines the cross-docking value proposition in light of recent economic conditions and the changing logistics landscape. Attend this session to understand the role of cross-docking in today's distribution model.

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Employee Buy-In From the Bottom Up

With staff reductions common in a recession, employees aren’t as likely to support process improvements. Deciding to drive improvement from the bottom up is a strategic leadership decision. One you choose because you see the value in developing a company culture of continuous improvement, even at the lowest levels of the organization. While a bottom-up strategy may result in a slower ramp up and may require additional work up front, it is part of what makes continuous improvement and employee buy-in sustainable for the long term. This session will address concepts on how to get buy-in for continuous improvement at every level of the organization.

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Fastenal AS/RS Distribution Transformation

From a single store launched in 1967, Minnesota-based Fastenal has grown into one of the nation’s largest distributors of industrial fasteners with 2,357 store locations across 18 regions of the country. The company has also grown by expanding the number of products it sells by a factor of five. To handle the growth, the company installed a goods-to-person mini-load automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) from TGW. You’ll hear typical material movement rates that can be achieved in these systems and specifically, the impact on operations with the new system for Fastenal.

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Global Network Design & Operation

How does a company with over 200 global manufacturing locations that distribute product to over a million "ship to" addresses in 103 countries do it? The complexity of the model presents obvious challenges about shipping method and cost. One way is to listen and learn the process a multi-nation company used to oursource elements of their network and maintain integrity of logistics sourcing in an international environment. You're invited to just such a session.

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The Human Side of a Successful Technology Rollout

User adoption can make or break a project when new technology is introduced in the warehouse. Taking a case study approach, you will hear how medical products distributor Owens & Minor achieved a breakneck 40-site voice picking implementation in less than one year. How, you ask? By getting the buy-in of managers and floor associates early in the process, carefully communicating roll out plans, and generating excitement before going on site. Learn strategies for a successful technology implementation that you can apply to your next project, and hear the ins and outs of one of the fastest, largest voice system rollouts ever.

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Omni-Channel Retail

Omni-channel retailing is the world where customers have access to the exact same inventory assortment and available quantities no matter how they are shopping and where that inventory physically resides. In the store, online, via smart phone or a third party – the guest experience must be exactly the same to drive maximum value to the retailer AND the customer. Learn how leading retailers like Williams-Sonoma and several others are transforming their supply chains to meet this global objective TODAY.

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Slotting: A Case Study Approach

Warehouse slotting drives improved operations by trimming DC costs, minimizing capital expenditures, increasing efficiencies and reducing labor. In addition, indirect results can be achieved with advanced slotting techniques that lead to big benefits. This session explores the direct and indirect outcomes that can be accomplished when leadership commits to slotting strategy as a priority in their DC operations. Case study examples from grocery distributor, Smart & Final, provide insight into when it is appropriate to use various techniques and what bottom line benefits can be achieved. You’ll hear a domain expert and practitioner dialogue that demonstrates the slotting challenges and solutions being faced in today’s warehousing environments.

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Health Care Reform

As if life weren’t complicated enough, these days businesses face a host of changes that will affect their dealings with associates. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce works to lessen the burden of the new government health care law while promoting strategies and solutions to help businesses get costs under control, improve quality, and increase coverage of the uninsured. You will want to attend this session.

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Breakthrough Distribution Technologies 2011

This session will use a multi-media approach to explore new technologies available to the distribution center and how they impact service productivity, and quality. We will discuss new technologies as well as the application of existing technologies in innovative ways. This session has been popular at WERC for several years with new content added for 2011.

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The End of Cheap Oil: Preparing Your Supply Chain

Oil prices are back to $100+ per barrel and the situation in the Middle East is changing daily and adding to volatility and uncertainty. Oil is the master resource that powers 95% of the world’s transportation. What can supply chain professionals expect going forward? The session explains why the end of cheap oil is one of those inevitable "surprises" that will change the world as we know it. The focus of this session is on geology, geopolitics, the energy industry, the search for alternatives, risk mitigation and, in particular, how these factors will impact fuel prices and supply chains. The goal is to raise awareness about critical energy issues and present strategies for supply chain executives to prepare their companies and themselves for the predictable end of the oil age. This session will specifically examine possible impacts on DC strategy and operations.
WERC Members: View Session Recording - No Charge

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Hot Topics From a Legal Perspective

This presentation will provide insight into several current legal issues impacting today’s logistics industry. Attendees will gain insight on protecting their business interest through effective contract negotiation and contract law. Economic concerns associated with logistic partners and protection from such economic hardships will as be addressed. The session will wrap up with a government affairs update on employment law issues and security.

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You Cannot Manage What You Don’t Measure – Where Do You Start?

Much has been said about the importance of metrics, but there are not many roadmaps to define how to implement them. This session will present a method for defining and utilizing metrics, as well as a process to manage and monitor metrics to drive problem-solving behaviors within your business without creating conflict among your organization. Attendees will learn the strategy behind reporting business performance and also some key tactical elements to ensure the use of these metrics drives improvement and sustainability in their supply chain.
WERC Members: View Session Recording - No Charge

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Pactiv's Lean Journey Playbook

This session will focus on Pactiv’s evolution and journey towards a Lean Supply Chain, from source to customer, and how participants can apply practical, real world Lean principles to get started on their own journey in their Supply Chains. Pactiv’s Lean supply chain initiatives have reduced costs, reduced inventories, brought speed and responsiveness to customers, improved customer satisfaction and leveraged the supply chain as a competitive advantage.

WERC Members: View Session Recording - No Charge

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Volume vs. Cost and How To Make It Work Together

Do you feel like you are riding a roller coaster every day at work? Dealing with high volumes one day and volumes falling short the next day can make a rough ride. This session will outline simple tools that will help you deal with changing volumes from day to day and controlling costs of your operation.

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If I Knew Then...

Large-scale system implementation projects are challenging, so if you’re taking one on this session allows you to benefit from years of experience. Hear what CEOs, Project Sponsors and Project Managers wished they had better understood at the beginning of their projects. Through interviews with 40 steering committee members spanning 15+ projects we learn about their good and bad experiences and highlight the practices that led to project successes. This presentation will review case studies from ERP, WMS, and other logistics projects and translate broadly accepted topics into specific practices.

WERC Members: View Session Recording - No Charge

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Maximize Equipment Investment to Get the Most Out of Your Operations

Patrick Sedlak, VP of Sedlak Management Consultants, will share from more than 25 years of experience in helping clients plan for, purchase and install the right equipment for their operation. Learn tips and tricks on how to first determine what’s the best application of equipment for your facility and operations needs; and second, how best to acquire the equipment so that it meets and exceeds your expectations. The presentation will compare and contrast different models showing the pros and cons for each approach.

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Mayo Clinic’s Distribution Value Equation

This session will demonstrate how the Mayo Clinic Distribution Center incorporated industry standards to develop a value equation. Mayo Clinic’s equation for value is defined as quality – including outcomes, safety, and service – over cost. In this session, the presenters will describe how a value equation was defined for the Mayo Clinic Distribution Center located in Rochester, MN. The presentation will include a description of metrics used in the equation and development of a best-in-class target.

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Implementing Multichannel Retailing Best Practices for Fulfillment

Are your customers as loyal to you as you would like? Are you using the best practices in multichannel customer order fulfillment? Learn what the best cross channel fulfillment practices are and how one mid-sized retailer is responding to these challenges with scarce resources in competitive environment.

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An Ounce of Prevention

Back injuries are bad for associate personal well being, overall production and morale – as well as company profit. In this session attendees will learn a proven formula that prevents these costly injuries through sprain/strain injury prevention. A case study will detail how CDW reduced their workers’ comp costs by 74% in one year and increased production by 16% by applying these techniques.

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Retrofitting - Get the Most Out of Your Warehouse

If you think your warehouse is full, take a look at the use of all your space, equipment and layout resources. Chances are you’ll find some unused space, underutilized equipment and many options for getting more storage and pick capacity. This was the case at Sport Supply Group’s warehouse in Dallas, TX. With some focus in these areas, there were an additional 50% in pick locations and 30% in storage capacity gained!

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