The demand for pet food is still at an all-time high, which means companies around the world must learn to plan ahead. Pet food distribution has layers of complexity to it that require strategic planning. The three main challenges in this space are order consolidation, distribution network design, and regulatory compliance. Alpine’s insight on pet food was recently published in PETS International magazine, which you can read here, or see below for a summary.
Order consolidation
Consolidation is the practice of grouping shipments going to the same destination together to improve efficiency. In the world of pet food distribution, this isn’t so simple as products can vary significantly when it comes to size, packaging, and type.
One solution is to work with consultants with experience using sophisticated slotting tools within the warehouse. Specific solutions have been designed to address yield-specific needs, maximizing picking productivity, minimizing forward pick replenishments, minimizing in-transit damage, and more.