THE CONFERENCE ON WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT AND INVENTORY CONTROL

In this conference you'll learn...

In the perfect warehouse, stock is not a problem: As little inventory as necessary is carried—and it´s moved as fast as possible. Now let´s talk about everyone else´s warehouse. If too much stock, obsolete stock, safety stock and stock that moves too slowly is eating up your warehouse space, then this session´s for you. We´ll help you recognize the seemingly limitless ways stock levels can be adversely affected and show you how to minimize stock on hand—while still meeting the highest customer service standards.
It doesn´t matter whether you´re purchasing shelving or tons of concrete. Vendors and suppliers will work hardest for those customers who are working with—not against—them. In this session, you´ll learn how to take full advantage of the relationships you have with vendors so that you get the most value for the money spent. Learn how some managers become the biggest obstacles to success in this area and how to make your vendor a de facto employee, a bona fide business resource and a trusted partner.
Most warehouse professionals would give their right arm to get hold of an accurate forecast of future inventory demand. You know yourself how much havoc forecasts with even the smallest mistakes can wreak. They cause unwanted shortages and surpluses, warehouse space crises and poor customer service. Here, we´ll examine common misconceptions about forecasting, often-overlooked factors impacting forecasts, the sources of errors and much more as we introduce an easier and better way to predict your company´s needs.
The design and layout of your warehouse is just not working. You´re having problems meeting schedules and communicating. Lead times are too long, and production is inefficient. It may seem your only option is to add new space—which you can´t afford to do. However, there´s another option we´ll explore in this session—re-thinking your existing layout to maximize space and increase efficiency. Come learn about the latest concepts and strategies for increasing your space-saving potential and how to make dramatic improvements—no matter how small or large your facility is—quickly, easily and cost-effectively.
Inventory theft is a reality in warehousing. Unfortunately—with people in, out of and around your facility all the time, it´s difficult to protect yourself. But there are multiple ways to discourage inventory shrinkage problems and head off the costs of lost inventory, higher insurance premiums and employee turnover. This session will teach you how to draw on all the resources available to you to find the right combination of physical deterrents and systems and controls to keep shortages from occurring—and impacting your bottom line.
Thinking of starting a cycle count program to make your inventory more accurate and as an alternative to those time-consuming physical inventories? The hardest part is getting started—and that´s what we´re here to help you with. Attend this session and find out, step by step, how to design and run a cycle count program customized to your specific needs. Gain dozens of suggestions and shortcuts that will make it practical to verify inventory record accuracy more frequently through cycle counting and at a far lower cost than physical inventories.
Heading into a physical inventory without thoroughly preparing is professional suicide. Yet many managers find it difficult to get a solid game plan together in time for the big day. That´s why this how-to session will examine the basic steps involved in preparing your people and facility for a smooth physical inventory. Find out specific things you can do in the weeks, days and hours before the inventory begins to avoid miscounts and misses and end up with an accurate count of what´s in stock that you can take to the bank.
It´s count day—feel like calling in sick? You may feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders—which is why this practical session is filled with easy ways to ensure the count goes smoothly. You´ll find out the real reasons why count day is so frustrating and how to combat these factors. You´ll walk away with workable solutions to virtually every problem you´ll face—from material getting moved to data entry mistakes—and with a new, positive attitude that those around you will find contagious.
Are your salespeople afraid to rely on "the numbers"? Do you overstock frequently because you´re not quite sure what´s really in the warehouse? Inventory record accuracy is one of the most persistent and costly problems that plague warehouses. While the process for improving record accuracy is not complicated, implementation often is—because you have to change people´s attitudes. In this session, we´ll outline the essential basics that will dramatically improve record accuracy—from defining the processes to setting accuracy standards to monitoring for compliance.
The development of a successful inventory system is a work in progress. To continuously improve, you need a well-trained workforce, error-resistant processes and a high degree of motivation. Make sure you´re up to the challenge—attend this session, where you´ll learn how to actively work at developing the mindset of employees, rewarding those who take initiative and ensuring your hard-won improvements continue to pay off in better customer service, tighter cost control and higher productivity.