REPOST: What I Learned from Working at 6 Fulfillment Companies in 3 Months with Channa Ranatunga
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
Release Date: 11/28/2022
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss turning cold outreach into gold. Matt is the Founder and CEO of Castriotta Growth Hacking, where they provide B2B demand generation solutions for logistics sales leaders. [podcast src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/31235137/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/4c4ca4/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes/font-color/FFFFFF" height="192" width="100%" scrolling="no" class="podcast-class" frameborder="0" placement="top" use_download_link="" download_link_text=""...
info_outline Optimizing Cold Chain while Reducing Environmental Impact with Nicole GlennThe Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss optimizing cold chain while reducing environmental impact. Nicole is the Founder and CEO of , a transportation leader known for making its customers heroes by delivering creative, fast, effective, and sustainable solutions for time-sensitive and white glove shipments backed by a trusted carrier network. Summary: Optimizing Cold Chain while Reducing Environmental Impact In this podcast, Nicole Glenn, CEO and Founder of Candor Companies, shares her insights and experiences from her 24-year journey in the transportation industry. She discusses her company's innovative and...
info_outline Triple Bottom Line Logistics with Tom RafteryThe Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss triple bottom line logistics. Tom is an entrepreneur, sustainability expert, technology executive and all-around thought leader. Tom advises logistics and supply chain companies on technology, sustainability, and communications Summary: Triple Bottom Line Logistics , a sustainability expert, discusses the importance of triple bottom line logistics in the supply chain industry. He explains how reducing emissions and making operations more sustainable can lead to cost savings and improved profitability. Raftery shares his journey and insights on how companies can achieve a triple...
info_outline REPOST: An Alternative to UPS and FedEx with Mark LavelleThe Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss an alternative to UPS and FedEx. Mark is the Chief Executive Officer at , a first-of-its-kind parcel delivery platform, purpose-built for branded direct-to-consumer delivery using modern technology and advanced data capabilities. About Mark Lavelle is the Chief Executive Officer at Maergo, a first-of-its-kind parcel delivery platform, purpose-built for branded direct-to-consumer delivery using modern technology and advanced data capabilities. Mark has over 20 years of experience growing businesses at the intersection of commerce, payments, and...
info_outline DAT iQ: The Metrics that Matter with Samuel ParkerThe Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss DAT iQ: the metrics that matter. Samuel is Director of Product Marketing at ' Shipper segment. DAT operates the largest truckload freight marketplace in North America. Shippers, brokers, carriers, news organizations and industry analysts rely on DAT for trends and data insights based on a database of $150 billion in annual market transactions. DAT iQ provides freight intelligence to inform your budget and procurement strategies so you can navigate market volatility with greater confidence and agility. About Samuel Parker is the Associate Director for DAT...
info_outline Freight Recession: Opportunity or Threat with Steve ElwellThe Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss freight recession: opportunity or threat. Steve is the Founder and Managing Director of Partners a boutique leadership, business strategy and turnaround consulting firm. About Steve Elwell is the Founder and since 2010 Managing Director of iDev Partners a boutique leadership, business strategy and turnaround consulting firm located in Farmington Hills, MI. In this role he has helps leaders and organizations realize their potential and mission. Steve has lead multiple technology, manufacturing, and start-up businesses as CEO, COO, and President. His consulting...
info_outline REPOST: Growing a Brand and a Business with Adam VazquezThe Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss growing a brand and a business. Adam is the CEO of , a marketing firm that specializes in creating audio and video content that educates, entertains, and engages target markets. About Adam Vazquez is an experienced marketing leader who serves as the CEO of Heard Media. Adam has built memorable growth stories for numerous companies throughout the supply chain, healthcare, and technology industries, and is a leading mind for growth and marketing in the B2B space. Applying the strategies and methodologies he learned while serving Fortune 1000 brands as a...
info_outline Driving Sales Pipeline with Jim WatersThe Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss driving sales pipeline. Jim is the Founder of , an advisory and fractional CMO service that helps logistics technology providers acquire more customers. About Jim Waters is a Boston-based B2B marketing executive with a proven track record of building robust sales pipelines. His passion lies in driving meaningful conversations, understanding customer pain points, and creating compelling content that generates active pipeline velocity. A results-driven innovator, Jim was an early employee at both FRAYT and Tive, where he spearheaded Global Marketing. Jim's entrepreneurial spirit...
info_outline Understanding the Canadian Logistics Landscape with Dean DuffinThe Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss understanding the Canadian logistics landscape. Dean is Co-founder and CEO of , one of Canada's fastest growing full-service third-party logistics companies. About Dean Duffin Growing up enjoying the small-town Alberta lifestyle, Dean excelled academically. He graduated high school with honors and pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Alberta, with a focus on international business and new venture creation. Upon completing his education, he relocated to Calgary, where he started his journey in the logistics industry with a prominent...
info_outline REPOST: Drone Delivery is Here with Tom WalkerThe Logistics of Logistics Podcast
Drone delivery is here and it is an increasingly viable mode for home delivery. and discuss the logistics and economics of drone delivery. Tom is the Founder and CEO of , a pioneering autonomous drone delivery company that specializes in last-mile delivery. About Tom Walker is the Founder and CEO of DroneUp. DroneUp provides drone delivery and flight services to organizations and communities. Tom has also brought a singular purpose to the Unmanned Transportation (UTM) market – to bring the economic benefits of drones that are essential for communities...
info_outlineChanna Ranatunga and Joe Lynch discuss what Channna learned from working at 6 fulfillment companies in 3 months. Channa’s company, Rabot provides tools that enable improved worker efficiency in fulfillment warehouses, so he wanted to gain firsthand experience working in fulfillment.
About Channa Ranatunga
Channa Ranatunga is the Co-founder and CEO of Rabot, a technology company dedicated to building smart tools that reduce repetitive work and improve worker efficiency in warehouses. Channa is an experienced entrepreneur in the logistics and supply chain space. He enjoys learning about new technologies and current challenges faced within the warehousing and fulfillment space and is always looking to connect with logistics professionals. Prior to starting Rabot, Channa was a Senior Applications Specialist at a machine vision company. Earlier in his career, Channa owned a pack and ship store and also founded a wireless device company focused on smart farms.
About Rabot
Rabot builds smart tools to reduce repetitive work and improve worker efficiency in warehouses. Due to the growth of e-commerce in the global economy, e-commerce fulfillment and logistics companies are struggling to maintain profit margins as their customers expect shorter and error-free fulfillment cycles. This is prompting the need for smarter technology solutions to help with the rapid growth. At Rabot, we are building smart tools to reduce inefficient, inaccurate, and repetitive manual work and improve warehouse operations' traceability. Rabot is based in Arlington, Texas.
Key Takeaways: What I Learned from Working at 6 Fulfillment Companies in 3 Months
Channa learned the following from working at 6 fulfillment companies in 3 months:
- People
- The workers are generally very hard working.
- Diverse workforces, usually a family environment.
- Many workers are fearful of robotics because they see it as a potential threat to their jobs.
- Many workers are struggling financially, some sad stories, people living in cars.
- High turnover, repetitive work, demanding physically, no sick days.
- Workers often work in the gig economy, very interested in Uber, Lyft, etc. as alternative sources of income.
- Management was typically very kind, treated people well.
- Everybody, management, and workers are trying to do the right things.
- Process
- The work is repetitive, sometimes difficult to stay focused, which leads to quality issues.
- Some processes work well, easy to manage, and do a good job, other processes are very hard because there is no technology or the tech is mismatched or inadequate
- In general, too many manual processes, writing out barcode numbers on to paper, etc.
- Management often don’t have visibility into the process – only the output
- Management’s lack of visibility into the process, means there are errors, bad orders
- Process variability based on the operator (experience, effort, training, size/strength)
- Technology
- Many fulfillment companies are not using technology properly.
- Some warehousing and fulfillment company not utilizing any technology at all.
- WMS not used in two of the six fulfillment companies – manual processes, no scan guns.
Learn More About What I Learned from Working at 6 Fulfillment Companies in 3 Months
Other Podcasts about Fulfillment
Rethinking Fulfillment with Guy Courtin