Today’s e-commerce and retail landscape is characterized by high speeds and volumes. Since 2020, the average parcel delivery speed has increased by 40% to meet the expectations of demanding customers. And in 2023, online sales in the United States reached around $275 million, nearly doubling since 2019. Efficient material handling and warehousing are key to keeping up with online orders and quickly getting them out the door.

Yet, with various challenges from labor shortages and space constraints, many businesses in the industry experience slower order processing. Luckily, Arnold Machinery Company has multiple solutions to help you boost efficiency and improve your operations.

The Challenges of Retail and E-Commerce Material Handling and Warehousing

Let’s take a closer look at some material handling and warehousing challenges in the retail and e-commerce industry:

• Increased order volumes: With e-commerce booming in the U.S., warehouses and distribution centers are experiencing more orders than ever. And it’s not slowing down anytime soon — Americans are expected to spend $1.8 trillion online by 2029. The market’s growth pressures your business to fulfill more orders without sacrificing speed or accuracy.
• Cheaper delivery expectations: Speed is still important, but customers care more about the price of shipping these days. Over 90% of online shoppers will leave their cart if they think the shipping costs are too high. Plus, more than 95% would opt for free shipping with longer wait times than pay for faster delivery. However, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Your business either needs to cover the costs, which can eat into your profits, or increase product prices, which risks losing sales.
• Labor shortages: Without a full team to get your facility through busy periods, you may rely on temporary but inexperienced workers. This can result in delays in order processing — a high turnover means you’re spending more time and money on training, which can negatively impact your business’s productivity.
• Space constraints: Many warehouses and distribution centers have poor storage layouts, wasting space and making material retrieval difficult. Messy lanes and stacking issues can lead to slower shipping times and higher operating expenses, both of which can impact your bottom line.
• Inefficient returns processing: Returns can be a hassle for any business. Inspecting the item, repackaging it and restocking it in your inventory takes time. Customers may get frustrated waiting for refunds if this process takes too long. Plus, slow returns can mess with your inventory, making it tricky to know which items you have in stock.

How Arnold Machinery Company Can Help Retail and E-Commerce Warehouses

If you’re dealing with any of these challenges, Arnold Machinery Company is here to help. We have the equipment and know-how to optimize material handling and warehousing operations.

Material Handling Equipment

E-commerce material handling involves a lot of activities, from unloading trucks when products arrive at your facility and moving items to storage to packing orders and shipping goods out to customers. With the following equipment available at Arnold Machinery Company, you can speed up your order fulfillment processes, leading to happier customers and more money in your pocket:

• Forklifts: With attachments to easily lift and move loads around your facility, e-commerce forklifts are the workhorses of any distribution center or warehouse. Beyond helping to improve material and product movement, these machines can reduce your dependence on manual labor for tasks requiring lifting and stacking heavy loads.
• Pallet trucks: Also known as pallet jacks, pallet trucks are essential for effortlessly moving pallets. Though similar to forklifts, these pieces of equipment are more compact and easier to maneuver. They’re better suited to light to medium loads across short distances, such as speedily moving pallets within a staging area.
• Order pickers: Unlike forklifts with vertical reach and pallet trucks that only operate at ground level, order pickers can reach from side to side. If you’re dealing with space limitations in your facility, these are go-to machines. They let your team quickly access inventory, even in narrow aisles, so you can get orders out faster.
• Container handlers: These are heavy-duty machines with high lifting capacity for the heaviest shipping containers. Container handlers are ideal for large distribution centers and facilities that regularly deal with high volumes of shipping containers.

Warehouse Solutions

Warehousing operations must keep products safe and organized until they’re ready to ship out. The right warehouse solutions from Arnold Machinery Company can protect products from damage, boost productivity and maximize space:

• Racking: A well-chosen racking system is essential for optimizing vertical storage and improving material and product flows. From selective racks offering instant access to single pallets to drive-in racks that allow forklifts to enter the rack structure to retrieve items, our experienced team will help you pick the perfect option for your facility.
• Dock equipment: We offer a wide range of dock equipment that help create a safer work environment and quicker loading and unloading processes, such as barrier gates and guide rails. We also provide steel loading ramps and platforms to further increase safety and efficiency.
• Conveyors: A high-performing conveyor belt is one of the best machines for boosting your facility’s overall productivity. Whether you opt for a basic system with a flat roller bed or a more complex model such as a modular conveyor, you can achieve a faster assembly line, cut labor costs and enjoy higher profit margins.
• Vertical lifts: Forget expensive freight elevators — vertical lifts are a much simpler and more cost-effective way to move products between floors, levels and other hard-to-reach spots. We offer cost-effective material and scissor lifts, helping you keep your operation running smoothly without draining your budget.

Material Handling and Warehousing Trends in the E-Commerce and Retail Industry

As the retail and e-commerce market evolves, there are some shifts in how material handling and warehousing businesses carry out operations. Here are four emerging trends that are set to transform the industry:

• Automation: Warehouses and distribution centers are increasingly adopting automation technology to take on repetitive and time-consuming tasks traditionally handled by humans. From boosting efficiency, productivity and accuracy to reducing worker turnover and labor costs, warehouse automation offers many benefits. We offer various automated solutions at Arnold Machinery Company, such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), goods-to-person systems, pick and pack stations, and more.
• Data analytics: With the rise of smart technology like artificial intelligence (AI), more companies are using data analytics to track inventory, reduce errors and anticipate demand. This makes it easier to keep the right amount of stock on hand and fulfill orders quickly and accurately. Along with physical automation equipment, we also offer intelligent execution software that integrates with AMRs, monitors inventory and provides real-time data for item replenishment.
• Sustainability: Sustainability is becoming a major concern for facilities operating in the e-commerce and retail industry. One green practice is using energy-efficient handling equipment, like electric forklifts, that create minimal pollution. We have a wide range of electric forklifts, helping your business be more eco-friendly.
• Safety: Though safety has always been a top priority, technological advancements have made warehouses and distribution centers much safer working environments. With robots for handling heavy lifting and working in dangerous areas, you protect your team and inventory. This means lower insurance costs, less downtime and a more reliable workforce. Sensors and AI also help prevent accidents like forklift collisions. Beyond embracing automation, a warehouse site survey conducted by our experts can help you identify hidden safety risks before an accident happens.

Optimize Your Material Handling and Warehousing Operations With Arnold Machinery Company

Arnold Machinery Company has you covered with new, used and rental material handling equipment as well as warehouse solutions. In addition to helping you select the options best suited to your needs, we can help you maximize your facility’s layout to further enhance efficiency. Our licensed and insured team of installers will complete all installations in the areas we serve. Plus, with our repair and maintenance services, you can keep downtime to an absolute minimum.

Since 1944, we have been committed to providing our industry’s best equipment and customer service. With our Silver Service^® policy, we go above and beyond to ensure you’re happy with your purchase or rental. This means we’ll do whatever it takes to exceed your expectations.

Contact us to learn more about how Arnold Machinery Company can help e-commerce businesses optimize operations.