From rising consumer demands and shrinking order windows to stringent regulations and costly recalls, the food and beverage industry is facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to product quality, safety and shelf life. One of the most critical components of today’s complex food supply chain is the distribution center, where the efficient flow of products throughout the facility is essential—particularly for temperature-sensitive goods in the cold chain.
However, rapid and accurate fulfillment can be a challenge for facilities reliant on manual processes. Order picking by warehouse staff in refrigerated or frozen environments not only takes considerable time (due to regular warm-up breaks), but is also physically strenuous and prone to costly human errors.