Optimizing Contract Warehousing: A Case Study in 3rd Party Labor Management

Enterprise-level manufacturers often struggle with their warehouse operations; when left unaddressed, the issues compound reducing productivity, wasting resources and increasing costs. National 3PL provider WSI took these issues to task by working directly with a Fortune 500 manufacturer and tailoring a contract warehouse labor management program to remove inefficiencies, transform operations, and positively impact their supply chains.

First, WSI examined the manufacturer’s operations through a wide lens and worked collaboratively with the customer’s leadership and management teams to understand the challenges and propose solutions. 

After analyzing historical data and business forecasts, identifying gaps and assessing needs, WSI provided the customer onsite support to improve warehouse management function and inventory control, and upgrade safety practices and training. Going further, a restructuring of workforce schedules was recommended to maximize round-the-clock operations, increase throughput, save costs, and shorten lead times.

Within months, the customer experienced greater visibility, transparency, and accountability across multiple departments, realizing dramatic results to include:

• Asset delivery retrieval downtime reductions

• Raw material damage cost reductions

• Finished goods damage cost reductions

• Exceeding load readiness target goals, and 

• Achieving consistent, near-perfect inventory accuracy. 

The strategic relationship integrated the best of its people, processes, and technologies to strengthen that facility’s operations and serve as a blueprint for transforming the customer’s other sites.

The success metrics underscore the benefits available to manufacturers when working with a verified 3PL partner that can create and manage s…