This week, let’s peel back the curtain on the everyday scenes and unseen forces shaping cities and supply chains. We start with OneRail’s acquisition of Orderbot, and its potential impact on everything from warehouse shipping to in-store pickups. We then transition into New York City’s crackdown on warehouse pollution and take a closer look at the importance of wholesale inventories. Plus, we’ll unpack TT Club’s latest research into how inventory management relates to safer supply chains. We also touch on the impact unforeseen disasters can have — like when a recent Oklahoma tornado destroyed a Dollar Tree warehouse. Stick with us as we connect the dots between these stories, uncovering how they impact everyone in some way, shape or form.
Big Moves in Retail: OneRail and Orderbot Team Up to Make Your Life Easier
Exciting news for anyone in retail and distribution: OneRail has acquired Orderbot, and it’s a big deal for your day-to-day operations. By merging Orderbot’s top-tier inventory skills with OneRail’s advanced delivery systems, think less hassle, reduced costs and happier customers.
Here’s Why You Should Care
Ever wondered how to pick the perfect spot for fulfilling orders without it costing an arm and a leg? OneRail Founder & CEO Bill Catania gets it. By bringing Orderbot into the fold, they’re offering a slick, all-in-one platform that tackles everything from warehouse shipping to in-store pickups. It’s all about making sure your goods get from A to B smoothly and cheaply.
What This Means for Your Business
Let’s break down what this powerhouse duo means for your business. Say goodbye to the headaches of out-of-stocks and mishandled orders. This merger means your products get where they need to be, when they need to be there, without the usual drama. Using smart API tech, OneRail matches deliveries with the best carriers; without having to call carriers in each market, you’re suddenly slashing costs and speeding things up. Plus, you get to see everything that’s happening, from the moment a product leaves the shelf to the moment it lands on a doorstep. Whether it’s offering Same-Day delivery or flexible pickup options, your customers get what they want, fast and fuss-free. All with sharper accuracy in orders and deliveries, powered by cutting-edge algorithms.
Big Changes Coming to NYC’s Last Mile Delivery Warehouses
Imagine living across from a warehouse in Brooklyn, where another 40 vans zoom past every couple of minutes, filling the air with exhaust. That’s the reality for many in New York City who live near an Amazon facility. So, with e-commerce booming, streets cluttered with delivery vans, and air quality and safety worsening, the city is stepping in.
The Neighborhood Uproar: It’s About More Than Just Noise
With data showing that one in four New Yorkers live close to a mega-warehouse, often in lower-income neighborhoods, community frustration is boiling over, pushing for real change. Take areas like Red Hook and Sunset Park, for instance, where warehouses have become both a nuisance and a health hazard for residents already dealing with their share of urban challenges. They find themselves on the frontline of the last mile delivery battleground, with relentless traffic and pollution at their doorsteps.
New Rules on the Horizon: Cleaner Air, Safer Streets
Responding to the outcry, Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is stepping up with plans to rein in the chaos. Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer is promising to back new laws to cut down on warehouse-related pollution and to cap new warehouse developments. The proposal includes a special permit process to examine how these warehouses affect air quality and traffic, so they don’t just bulldoze over community needs.
What’s Up with Wholesale? A Peek into Inventory Shifts and What They Mean for You
Wholesale inventories ticked up just 0.2% in April — a small change that tells a big story. Why? This indicator offers a peek into the flow of goods from factories to shopping carts and reveals broader economic trends, from the price of goods to product availability.
Decoding the Wholesale Inventory Shuffle
The importance of wholesale inventory is all about the ripple effect. Jason Miller from Michigan State University points out that wholesaling isn’t just a middleman game — it’s a critical sector that fuels retail shelves and production lines. A bump in inventory levels can mean wholesalers expect stores to order more goods soon, perhaps anticipating that shoppers will be hitting the stores more frequently. Alternatively, it could signal that manufacturers are ramping up production. Either way, it’s a sign of movement and change in the supply chain that could eventually influence the prices and availability of the products you buy.
Just-in-Time or Just-in-Case? The Wholesale Balancing Act
Nick Vyas at the University of Southern California sheds light on a significant shift in how wholesalers think about their stock. Remember the empty shelves during the pandemic? That was a wake-up call. It showed the limits of keeping inventories too lean with a just-in-time approach, which aims to keep inventory low to cut costs. Since then, some wholesalers have adjusted their strategies, incorporating a just-in-case buffer to prevent running out of stock unexpectedly. They aim to keep enough inventory to manage surprises but not so much that warehouses become overcrowded.
TT Club’s Call to Action: Tighten Up Inventory Management for Safer Supply Chains
TT Club, a leading insurance and risk management service provider, is sounding the alarm about the need for sharper inventory management to plug security gaps in the supply chain. Their deep dive into past incidents reveals a clear pattern: Where there’s chaos in tracking inventory, theft is close by. That’s the whole reason they’re pushing for smarter, more integrated systems to keep everything in check and theft at bay.
Smoother Systems, Safer Goods
TT Club points out that disconnected systems often lead to major headaches. When Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Order Management Systems (OMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems don’t integrate or communicate, things slip through the cracks. TT Club emphasizes that when these systems sync better, every item traveling through the supply chain is more visible and traceable, easier to keep track of and less likely to vanish.
Building a Security-Smart Supply Chain
Beyond the risk of theft, messy inventory management can strain business relationships and tarnish reputations. TT Club stresses the importance of a tight ship where every process is followed to the letter, enhancing the traceability of goods. More than just preventing losses, meticulous tracking builds a sturdy, reliable and respected supply chain. Inventory often flies under the radar — until it doesn’t. Small slip-ups can lead to big losses. Keeping a close eye on every item keeps it secure and builds trust across the entire supply chain network.
Dollar Tree’s Marietta Warehouse Stays Closed, Hundreds Out of Work
When a tornado tore through Marietta, Okla., last April, it did more than damage buildings — it left more than 400 Dollar Tree warehouse employees wondering about their next paycheck. Worse, with the distribution center closed for the foreseeable future, the community is losing a staple that’s been around for over 20 years.
A Commitment to Employee Support
In the wake of the disaster, Dollar Tree has committed to supporting its workforce through these tough times. Until June 22, the company will continue to pay the workers of the now-shuttered 1 million-square-foot facility. Additionally, it provides severance packages, benefits and access to emotional well-being resources. It’s a clear sign that the company values its people, and is stepping up to help where they can.
What Comes Next for Marietta?
While the warehouse remains closed, Dollar Tree is thinking hard about the future. Despite the uncertainty, Dollar Tree’s ongoing commitment to the Marietta community shines through. They’ve been part of the fabric of this town for two decades, and their proactive efforts to reach out and care for their employees reflect a deep-rooted commitment to the area. It’s about more than final mile logistics and operations — it’s about people and resilience in the face of adversity.
Bringing It All Together with OneRail
From OneRail’s Orderbot acquisition to the constant flow of delivery vans in NYC to shifts in warehouse stock and even weather disruptions, logistics and supply chain never stays stagnant. That’s where OneRail steps in to help your operations, no matter what:
- Unparalleled Courier Network: Place your deliveries in trusted hands by tapping into OneRail’s massive national network, boasting over 12 million vetted drivers.
- OmniPoint® Platform: Leverage OneRail’s OmniPoint Platform for automated rate shopping, smart matching and real-time visibility to guarantee timely and cost-effective deliveries.
- Exceptions Assist™: Benefit from proactive monitoring, with a dedicated team of logistics experts at the ready 24/7 to tackle any challenges and disruptions, safeguarding your on-time delivery rate.
No matter your industry, OneRail can transform your logistics strategy. Schedule a demo today to find out how.
