JULY 2012
VOLUME 10 NO. 7 inside
33 The rainmakers BY DC VELOCITY STAFF ; For our 2012 Rainmakers, success isn’t just about fame and fortune. It’s also about making a contribution to the logistics field and advancing the profession.
51 Is item-level RFID right for you?
BY SUSAN K. LACEFIELD
Sure it’s pricey, but for certain companies, the benefits of item-level tagging far
outweigh the cost. Here are five signs yours might be one of them.
57 Is there a “DIY” AGV in your future?
BY TOBY GOOLEY
Using easy-to-install kits made from off-the-shelf components, Toyota
converted 22 tow tractors at one of its plants into automatic guided vehicles.
Plans are now in the works to bring the technology to DCs.
63 On the waterfront
BY MARK B. SOLOMON
Ten years after the infamous West Coast port lockout, another
labor-management showdown looms—this time on the East Coast.
67 L.L.Bean’s smarter stocking strategy
BY JAMES AARON COOKE
The iconic retailer has revamped its inventory practices to support a
multichannel selling strategy. The result: less overstock of seasonal inventory,
more of the products its customers buy all year long, and a reduction in
warehousing costs.
79 Kansas City: logistics powerhouse?
BY MARK B. SOLOMON
Take an ideal location and an engaged business community, throw in some
world-class barbeque, and Kansas City may have the recipe for 21st century
supply chain success.
85 How to keep your conveyors up to speed
BY PETER BRADLEY
Anything from age to “carton dust” can cause conveyor performance to decline.
We asked some experts for tips on keeping the equipment running at top efficiency.
91 A better way to calculate equipment ROI
BY AARON LININGER
Too many companies buy warehouse equipment and technology based on
a “best case” scenario. Using an “engineered” approach to evaluating the
return on investment will provide a more accurate picture of cost and
productivity benefits.
