Warehouse/Distribution Center Knowledgebase

The system of distribution centers in North America is an unsung marvel of modern technology. When a customer orders a product, it is often removed from racks, packed, and ready for shipping within an hour, with little waste or inefficiency. Some distribution centers featue astounding levels of automation, with products conveyed, sorted, and routed at remarkably high speeds.

Nonetheless, some aspects of the work still require considerable manual labor. To one degree or another, distribution centers are likely to always require humans to put their hands on a box and lift. This knowledgebase summarizes a number of best practices used to minimize the strain on the human body and the extra time required for manual work.

Note that in the context of this knowledgebase, no distinction is made between a distribution center and a warehouse. The issues of concern are essentially the same, whether referring to a distribution center as a separate, specialized facility or a warehouse as one area within a production facility.

Load/unload	roller conveyors powered conveyors side access trucks/trailers shipping cages
Checking and sorting	conveyors pallet lifts lifter- transporters sorting stations
Picking – Racks	profiling bay configuration shelf surfaces lifting assists lift truck work stations picking method
Picking – Bins	additional levels cutouts carton orientation vertical carousels aprons trays
Misc. dock issues	opening doors dock leveler dock lift
Stocking	pallets flow racks
See also:
Material handling	All categories
Workstations	Storage Packing stations
Special items
Spools/reels	roller systems turntables vertical carousels