As a global leader in the warehouse industry, Southern California continues to discover new ways to improve the way goods and materials are stored and transported across the country. Leading the way in the industry, warehouses in this region are finding efficient ways to improve the system.

Independent warehouses continue to be a driving force in the Southern California economy. Los Angeles warehousing plays a key role in managing the transportation of our nation’s freight and keeping goods secure in the distribution network. Throughout this process, the warehousing industry frequently expands and contracts to keep pace with their customers’ and consumers’ needs depending on the current trends in the marketplace.

The industry continues to employ growing numbers of people, providing extensive opportunities for advancement in the warehouse workplace. The best warehouse businesses meet all aspects of their customers’ needs by becoming more efficient to allow goods to move more quickly from creation to the consumer while also staying abreast of regulatory actions that can affect the flow of goods.

The Southern California warehouse industry’s important position in the supply chain affects the way in which materials move throughout the nation and identifies the areas that need to be focused on to improve commerce.

Southern California warehousing employs thousands of individuals and operates millions of square feet of warehouse space in Los Angeles and other communities in the region. As an example of the role this industry plays, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies warehouse-based 3PLs as among the few industries that have experienced positive job growth during the recent recession.

Career paths in the warehouse industry may take many routes, from entry-level jobs to supervisory roles; from technology professionals to truck drivers; and from regulatory professionals to finance professionals and top-level executives. In fact, Los Angeles and Southern California were recognized as key examples of the warehouse-based industry’s promote-from-within climate.

Of course, those who use warehouse services save time and money when they outsource. Outsourcing warehouse operations adds to the profits of both retailers and manufacturers through quality management of their inventory and control over the supply chain. Outsourcing reduces or eliminates the need for expensive real estate used to store inventory. These days, warehouses are not just used to store goods. There are numerous activities, technologies and systems that are implemented in a warehouse that work to create a more efficient system.

Value-added services have also come to play a very important role in the warehouse industry. In addition to storing goods, warehouses can provide extra services that benefit retailers and manufacturers alike.

Technology

Technology plays a key role in Southern California warehousing because it is a value-added service. Many warehouses use a warehouse management system to track customer inventory and orders. This provides information about the products that are being stored, which can then be relayed to the manufacturers. This service creates an important benefit, which is tracking efficiency, something that was not previously available.

A number of innovations are coming from new technologies in many facets of the warehousing industry now, including transportation, logistics, dispatching, and the fulfillment of orders. The industry continues to evolve and improve to make operations more streamlined and efficient.

Trends

A number of important trends arose during 2015 that reflected the industry’s dedication to implementing new technologies, which provide exceptional customer service and improve the safety of both employees and products. These trends have helped the industry reach a new level of quality as it strives to improve innovation and creativity in its operations.

One of these trends is the outsourcing of logistical work to third-party companies. By expanding the network of distribution, warehouse companies in Southern California are reducing the distance traveled while slashing delivery times. This has allowed customers to ship to the marketplace more quickly. With the skills of third-party logistics businesses, customers save additional money because they do not have to start their own physical-fulfillment operation. Saving money means a better bottom line and additional profits for those shipping goods.

Another trend has been the implementation of motion detection sensors for forklifts. In recent years, motion detection sensors have evolved to new levels of sophistication in the warehouse workplace, keeping forklift operators and other employees in the warehouse environment safe.

What’s more, motion detectors are being used to monitor various zones in warehouse facilities. They warn workers of possible dangers by using features such as traffic detection sensors with features like floors lights, pedestrian detection, exterior monitoring, sensing mirrors, clearance alarms, automated gates to regulate traffic at intersections, and collision sensors.

Last year’s trends also include vision-guided vehicles, which are used in warehouses that are forklift-free. During 2015, many warehouse facilities were using vision-guided tow tractors in order to improve the safety environment and improve efficiency. Their goal was to create a better alternative to forklifts because forklifts are more dangerous and can cause damage to products.

The Los Angeles warehousing industry has also been trending toward the use of multi-channel solutions. Being able to provide customers with this service became an important area of growth during 2015 among warehouse management. Multi-channel solutions offer a variety of ways to meet the many challenges that arise in the ever-changing world of eCommerce when transporting inventory from one point to the next. When multiple solutions are provided for vendors or warehouses, the process of distribution becomes more efficient and financially viable.

Improvement Initiatives

The warehousing industry in Southern California is continually searching for ways it can improve the flow of goods. This is extremely important in remaining at the top when it comes to competing in the international warehouse management industry. By constantly improving operations, it can remain an industry leader. Whether it is investing in emerging technologies or equipment, finding new ways to improve employee training, or discovering ways to increase efficiency of operations while providing better customer service, only the best will survive in the warehouse industry in the growing market of eCommerce.