W
arehousing and Distribution
Warehouses are critical parts
of the overall supply chain.
They are the points where the
product pauses and is
touched, consuming both
space and time (labor hours).
Space and time, in turn, are
expenses. By developing
mathematical and computer
models to fine-tune the layout
and operations of a warehouse,
managers can
significantly reduce labor
costs associated with product
distribution, increase
warehouse space utilization,
and improve the overall flow
of project.
In response to the challenges
facing warehousing and
distribution centers both at
home and abroad, the H.
Milton Stewart School of
Industrial and Systems
Engineering (ISyE) established
a Center of Focused Research
in Warehousing and
Distribution. Housed in the
Supply Chain and Logistics
Institute, Dr. John Bartholdi
serves as its director.
Bartholdi, the Manhattan
Associates Chair of Supply
Chain Management, and
Associate Professor Steven
Hackman are developing a
science of warehousing and
distribution to optimize such
aspects as management,
John Bartholdi
Director, Warehousing and
DistributionManhattan
Associates Chair of
Supply Chain Management
Engineering (ISyE) established
By developing mathematical and computer models to
fine-tune the layout and operations of a warehouse,
managers can significantly reduce labor costs
associated with product distribution, increase
warehouse space utilization, and improve the overall
flow of work
.
Design and layout of cross-
docks for better quicker
item flow through times
Strategies for optimal cycle-
counting to reconcile book and
physical inventories.
Warehouse slotting to account
for product afffinity.
Configuration of distribution
networks.
Last mile delivery
Creating efficient and effective
warehousing and distribution
systems is an extremely
important initiative that is vital
to supply chain management
and the global economy.
storage and handling, layout,
operations, and order-picking.
item flow-through times.
Some current research
activities include:
Design and operations of
temperature-controlled
international supply chains for
distribution of products such
as wine, fresh fruits, and
vaccines.
Design of self-organizing
order-picking systems
Development of software
to slot "fast pick" areas to
better utilize prime warehousing
real estate and reduce
labor costs.
Development of warehouse
activity profiling and visualization
software to help
managers find inefficiencies in
operations and layout.
Georgia Tech
Supply Chain &
Logistics Institute
765 Ferst Drive, N.
W. Atlanta, GA
30332-0205
(404) 894-2343
Fax (404) 894-6527
www.scl.gatech.edu
To learn more visit www.scl.gatech.edu/research/warehousing
The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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