One third of UK warehouse operators view improving their fulfilment operations as a top priority.

This is according to Access, which has released its latest industry survey. It found that 33 per cent of respondents believed improving this process was a key aim for them over the coming year.

Currently, 56 per cent of those questioned admitted to still using paper instructions, while another half of businesses use receipts for goods received. However, technology is starting to make an impact in the industry, with 35 per cent of firms using radio frequency and a further 27 per cent use handheld computers or mobiles.

Access is challenging those businesses still shunning technology to modernise and reap the benefits that would become available to them. These include being able to pick stock quickly and accurately, while enabling replenishment to occur automatically.

Ian Roper, divisional director of supply chain solutions at Access, commented: "Warehouse IT is a differentiator that can give customers and clients accurate and transparent information about their goods and orders. Adapters will be rewarded with better quality clients offering better profit opportunities."

The survey was carried out by Redshift Research and questioned 132 warehouse operators in the wholesale, manufacturing and 3PL sectors.