Warehouse & Materials Handling Forum
Chairman: Ray Bennett FCILT
During the last few years, the role of the warehouse has radically changed to meet increasing demands of more responsive supply chains. The warehouse has taken on the role of manufacturing as a mass customisation centre and retailing where it supplies direct to the end-user. Customer demand has changed significantly which has impacted all operational areas, inventory carrying costs have been recognised as a key financial measure and the cost of capital employed in a warehouse impacts the bottom line along with speed of service now being a major contributor to a business’s success.
There are many complex technologies now deployed in order to produce an effective operation and to optimise the cost-performance equation. Resulting in our facilitation in project support groups and dissemination of information on trends, best practice and design.
Forum Mission Statement
- To initiate review and discussion in all areas of warehouse design, operation, and in the appropriate use of technology and materials handling.
- To share information with members via the setting up of events and workshops and by providing articles on the forum website.
- To aim where applicable to collate common standards of (best) practice to promote operational improvement and benchmarking.