Warehouse & Fulfillment Insights
Expert insights on warehousing, order fulfillment, assembly, and logistics from Midwest AWD.
Self-Fulfillment vs. 3PL Guide
Key Takeaways: Self-fulfillment means total control in the operator’s hands, but this can be a two-edged sword. A 3PL can absorb growth surges and reduce per-unit shipping costs yet introduces a layer of dependency that some businesses aren’t ready to accept. Picking the right model comes down to an honest look at current capacity, order ... Self-Fulfillment vs. 3PL Guide
What Is Drayage in Logistics?
Every container that crosses an ocean or rides a rail line still needs a truck to carry it the last few miles. That short-distance leg – known as “drayage” – connects ports, rail yards, warehouses, and distribution centers. Drayage serves as the first and last mile of intermodal shipping, bridging long-haul cargo movement and ... What Is Drayage in Logistics?
What Is the Picking Process in Logistics?
Picking drives every order that leaves a warehouse. It connects storage to the packing line and ultimately to the customer’s door: When picking runs well, orders ship faster, costs stay lower, and accuracy improves. When it breaks down, the entire fulfillment chain feels it – from returns and reshipments to missed delivery windows. ... What Is the Picking Process in Logistics?
B2B Fulfillment Guide for Manufacturers and Distributors
Business to business (B2B) fulfillment is the process of storing, managing, picking, packing, and shipping goods from one business to another. It includes manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers – but not end consumers. This is more than basic warehousing. B2B order fulfillment covers documentation, compliance, and freight coordination alongside the physical movement of goods. ... B2B Fulfillment Guide for Manufacturers and Distributors
What Is Dunnage?
Dunnage refers to materials that protect, stabilize, and support goods during storage or transit. Wood, foam, inflatable bags, and corrugated paper cushion products against damage and keep them from shifting. The term traces back to 15th-century maritime shipping. Sailors used loose materials to secure cargo in ship holds. The basic dunnage meaning remains the same ... What Is Dunnage?
Midwest Assembly, Warehouse & Distribution Announces Retirement of General Manager/COO George Bichanich
West Bend, WI — Midwest Assembly, Warehouse & Distribution, LLC (MAWD) announces the retirement of George Bichanich, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, who will step down shortly after the new year. Since founding the company in 1988, George has been instrumental in establishing MAWD’s operational framework, its reputation for reliability, and its long-standing partnership ... Midwest Assembly, Warehouse & Distribution Announces Retirement of General Manager/COO George Bichanich
What Is Retail Supply Chain Management?
What is retail supply chain management, and how does it impact the operations of your business? The goal of retail supply chain management is not just to have a product to sell, but to coordinate all of the working parts involved, including sourcing, inventory, and distribution, with the specific objective of cutting costs and improving ... What Is Retail Supply Chain Management?
A Guide to Understanding Upcoming FBA Prep Changes
In an official statement earlier this year, Amazon announced that they are shifting their main focus entirely to fulfillment operations and will be ceasing all U.S. FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) Prep services starting January 1st, 2026. Third-party merchants utilized the program to prepare products in accordance with Amazon’s requirements before being sent to a fulfillment ... A Guide to Understanding Upcoming FBA Prep Changes
Back Orders vs Out-of-Stock: What’s the Difference?
“Backorder” and “out-of-stock” are two inventory management terms that customers use interchangeably. However, for operations managers and e-commerce businesses, these two statuses represent fundamentally different scenarios with distinct impacts on sales, logistics, and customer loyalty. The high-level distinction is straightforward: A backorder means an item is temporarily unavailable, but supply replenishment is expected, and the ... Back Orders vs Out-of-Stock: What’s the Difference?
Best Practices for Cycle Counting
Cycle counting is a method of maintaining accurate inventory records without shutting down operations for a full physical inventory count. Instead of stopping everything to tally every item at once, warehouses and distribution centers conduct smaller, scheduled counts of specific items or warehouse zones and bins. This ongoing process keeps inventory levels accurate while minimizing ... Best Practices for Cycle Counting
What Is Fill Rate? (And How to Calculate It)
Fill rate is one of the most critical supply chain metrics for any company that stores, moves, or sells physical products. Essentially, it reflects the percentage of customer orders fulfilled completely and on time, making it a direct measure of order fulfillment performance. A high fill rate not only improves customer satisfaction but also ... What Is Fill Rate? (And How to Calculate It)
Fulfillment Centers vs. Distribution Centers
Understanding the difference between a fulfillment center vs. distribution center is critical for any inventory specialist, warehouse manager or e-commerce business owner making decisions about inventory flow, labor needs and customer satisfaction. Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, these facility types serve distinct roles in the supply chain. A fulfillment center is optimized ... Fulfillment Centers vs. Distribution Centers