In the context of rapidly growing E-commerce and its impact on companies and logistics, there has been a significant shift in the logistical model over the years. The unprecedented surge of online shopping, particularly in the "last mile" delivery, can be attributed, in part, to the pandemic.
Various industries, including pharmaceuticals, retail, technology, sports, food, decoration, and construction, have gradually evolved to engage with customers throughout the entire purchasing process. A key challenge has been to optimize logistics processes, which has become a global trend. Each company has had to adapt to its unique situation.
To meet this challenge, some companies had to reconfigure their operational Lay Outs, incorporating new processes and machinery to fulfill their promises to customers. Others opted to outsource certain services due to limitations. As a result, some companies had to grow and enhance their competitiveness to provide these services independently.
In the retail sector, for example, many companies faced the issue of their large distribution centers, designed with significant storage capacity but unable to cope with the fast-paced demands of E-commerce. To address this, they implemented new systems, such as paquetería and picking through controlled deformation and sorter automation, to streamline operations.
Similarly, traditional logistics companies (3PL) had to expand their offerings and adapt to the evolving business models.
In summary, the logistical challenge was enormous, encompassing not only adapting and optimizing spaces (when feasible) but also meeting tight deadlines to efficiently cater to this new consumer landscape. Consequently, logistics operations became more intricate as different processes intersected within the same distribution center or warehouse. This required rethinking Lay Outs, as areas like storage and picking with rack protection started interacting directly with transitory storage zones, rotation, or rubber modules on sorter automation. Moreover, multiple workstations manned by operators had to be accommodated, leading to space constraints and increased risk of accidents.
As ENNAT, experts and consultants in Safety and Industrial Protections, we actively contributed to adapting these logistic processes. Our focus has been to raise awareness among companies about the importance of incorporating safety considerations into Lay Outs, preventing incidents and integrating high-tech protections like those offered by ENNAT. Our solutions, such as column barriers and rack protectors, are designed to safeguard and optimize various operational flows, defining safe zones for different processes, providing steel barriers and warehouse rack guards, protecting and organizing automated machinery, and ensuring efficient workstation layouts. This not only ensures high safety standards but also leads to substantial cost savings in the long run.
We welcome you to embrace this new holistic vision of Safe Logistics and invite you to explore the possibilities of Design and Innovation in Industrial Protections for your company.
Mirko Pavlovic – Partner / Commercial Director Ennat Group.