- \n\n\n
![\"Most](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_RCA_2026-04-04-scaled.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMost Companies Don\u2019t Solve Problems. They Shop for Tools.<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Many warehouse improvement efforts start in the wrong place. Instead of defining the actual problem, companies often jump straight to automation tools and end up treating symptoms rather than causes. This article explains why structured problem solving, root-cause thinking, and a clearer distinction between data, information, decisions, and interventions matter so much in warehouse operations. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"On](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_SystemsEngineering_2026-04-04-scaled.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOn Technology Engineering vs. Systems Engineering<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Logistics engineering is systems engineering. Let us put systems engineering into perspective. We talk about systems, we talk about technology, we call certain pieces of technology \u201ca system\u201d \u2014 for instance, a computer \u2014 and sometimes we call certain systems \u201ctechnology.\u201d And we frequently deal with systems of systems. A factory, an automated warehouse, or… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Between](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_eGrocery_2026-02-09-scaled.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBetween Picnic and Phone Orders: The Strange State of Online Grocery<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Over the past ten years, online grocery has developed into my home turf. Ten years ago, online grocery was a relatively obscur industry. People knew, or assumed, it existed, but the vast majority of people had never tried it, let alone was using it on a regular basis. It was the time when companies like… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Mobile](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_MobilePickingRobots_2025-10-03-scaled.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMobile Picking Robots: The Rationale and Pitfalls<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Mobile picking robots are increasingly marketed as a flexible automation solution. But they often automate inefficiency at a high cost. Here’s a critical analysis. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_AdditiveManufacturing_2025-09-30-scaled.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe End of Spare Parts Logistics as We Know It. And Nobody Talks About It.<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Management Summary Additive Manufacturing (AM), often referred to as 3D printing, has long been hyped as a revolutionary technology in manufacturing. But I claim its transformative potential in spare parts logistics is not properly understood. Unlike past innovations in logistics, which improved existing systems, AM changes the very logic those systems are based on. It… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Automation](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_WarehouseAutomationProblems_2025-08-28-scaled.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAutomation Won\u2019t Solve Your Problems<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
This post explains why so many warehouse automation problems, and poor financial performance of automation projects, have little to do with the technology itself\u2014and everything to do with poor process, bloated inventory, and lack of root-cause analysis. A couple of years ago, I visited the warehouse of a regional logistics operator. A well-known automation company… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_8_Thumbnail.png?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Warehouse Engineering Podcast #8: Innovation, Attabotics, and more<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
In this episode of The Warehouse Engineering Podcast, I discuss expensive conveyors, innovation and pseudo-innovation, the recent bankruptcy of Attabotics, and 6 River Systems\u2014and why I\u2019m not like your grandpa. This episode stems from a recent frustration I had with the pricing of simple bin conveyors. These days, the cost of conveyors is nothing short… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_7_Thumbnail.png?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Warehouse Engineering Podcast #7: The Risk of Large Projects<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
One of the earliest texts I published here dates back to 2019 and is titled The Risk of Large Projects. In it, I argued that large-scale automation projects are inherently risky and often fail to deliver the expected returns\u2014and I explored the underlying reasons why. I recently revised and updated the text, and have now… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_6_Thumbnail.png?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Warehouse Engineering Podcast #6: Ole-Erik Endrerud (Shoreline Wind)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Welcome back to another episode of the Warehouse Engineering Podcast! I usually focus on warehouse engineering and automation, so this episode marks a departure from my usual topics. Ole-Erik is an entrepreneur in the offshore wind sector, and we were fellow PhD students at the University of Stavanger\u2014where his entrepreneurial journey began. In our conversation,… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"New](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_ABC_Announcement_2024-10-14.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nNew eBook on ABC Analysis in Warehouse Logistics<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
There are topics and tools that everyone knows. Everyone has used them or been confronted with them; they are familiar and considered important, but receive no special attention beyond that. In logistics, ABC analysis is one of these topics. It is known and associated with the Pareto principle or the “80\/20 approach”, and there are… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Robotic](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_RoboticPiecePicking_2024-09-01.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nRobotic Piece Picking: Anatomy of a Broken Business Model<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
This article is about the broken business model of robotic piece picking companies. If you are looking for the broken business model of Q-commerce companies, please read this article or this one. For a long time, piece picking robotics was a niche segment in warehouse automation, but the general consensus was that it was rapidly… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_Changes_2024-08-13.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Technological Plateau in Warehouse Automation: Where Real Change Happens<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Warehouse automation has been around for many decades. It is a complex and expansive industry that has, in recent years (specifically the last five to ten), been characterized by a surge of innovations \u2014 or rather, a lot of \u201cnew stuff\u201d, some of which is genuinely innovative, while other is less so. I thought it… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Organizational](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_Culture_II_2024-08-12.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOrganizational Culture Doesn\u2019t Go Away, So We Better Take Care of It<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Some time ago, I published a text entitled \u201cRemote Work and the Underrated Concept of Organizational Culture\u201d. The point of the article was what the title suggests: I wanted to highlight the importance of organizational culture to business performance and I connected it to the Covid-induced trend of working from home arrangements, which does not… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Takeoff](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_Takeoff_MFCs.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTakeoff Technologies and the Predictable Demise of the MFC Model<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
A few weeks ago, Takeoff Technologies filed for bankruptcy (Douglas Moran 2024). Takeoff Technologies was one of the first, if not the first start-up to coin the term Microfulfillment Center. Perhaps they\u2019ll be rescued, I\u2019d certainly be sorry to see them go and I have lots of respect for them trying to shake up the… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Mastering](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_ABC_OL_PQ_2024-06-02.png?resize=1200%2C675&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMastering ABC Analysis in Power Query and Excel<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Over the past few years, I have conducted data analysis seminars and workshops for a wide range of companies. The primary focus of these seminars has been on warehouse planning and analysis, utilizing tools such as MS Access and MS Excel (though the use of MS Access is declining), MS Excel combined with Power Query… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"BionicHIVE](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_BionicHIVE_Remarks-1.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBionicHIVE & SqUID: Is This Going to be a Revolution?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Making a Dent It is rare for new entrants in an established industry to do something completely novel and different from all the incumbents. In a way, that may be the only way to succeed when the established competitors have all the experience, all the experts and all the expertise, all the infrastructure, all the… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_5_Thumbnail.png?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Warehouse Engineering Podcast #5: Gili Ovadia of BionicHIVE<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
It is not that long ago that friends and colleagues sent me the same video several times a day: A robot drives through the warehouse, then climbs up a seemingly conventional rack and picks up a box. The video went viral in a short amount of time because, on the one hand, it inspired laypeople… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"LogiMAT](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_4_Thumbnail.png?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nLogiMAT 2024 Recap & Gebhardt Instapick<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
LogiMAT 2024 is over \u2013 and it was great! In this video I summarize some impressions and also say a few words about Instapick, the Gebhardt Group’s new storage system. The summary by Marco Gebhardt mentioned in the video can be found here: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/activity-7177586352580907008-AYL6. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"There](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_NoSustLog.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThere is no Such Thing as “Sustainable Logistics”<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
I would like to say a few words on the subject of “sustainable logistics”. The combination of “sustainability” and “logistics” is quite widespread. Google delivers almost 62,000 hits for the German combination “Nachhaltige Logistik” and around 521,000 for the English equivalent “Sustainable Logistics”. This does not include synonyms such as “green logistics” etc. for both… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"MODEX](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_3_Thumbnail.png?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMODEX and LogiMAT 2024: What’s there to see?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
MODEX has just ended, LogiMAT begins next week. As always, the exhibitors \u2013 the industry is represented almost in its entirety \u2013 are busy advertising and vying for the attention of visitors. What was there to see at MODEX and what can visitors expect at LogiMAT? In a short video I present my perspective on… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Warehouse](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_WarehouseAudits_en_2024-01-30.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWarehouse Audits as a Regular Exercise<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
In some areas of logistics, there are certain tools and practices that are practically unknown in other areas. Audits are an example of this. In purchasing and supplier management, conducting supplier audits is very common. It is a common practice in the automotive industry in particular: potential suppliers are audited before contracts are awarded. And… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Another](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Logistikkpodden2_CoverBild_en.png?resize=858%2C496&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAnother guest appearance on the LIS podcast<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
After being invited to the Logistikkpodden as a guest for the first time last year, I recently had the pleasure of meeting Sue Kristiansen and B\u00f8rge \u00d8stnes from Lager & Industrisystemer (LIS) for the second time. This time we mainly talked about questions that listeners asked after the last episode. Among other things, we talked… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Decoding](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_Aldi_Lidl_Success_2024-01-02.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nDecoding Aldi and Lidl’s Success: A Logistics Perspective<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
I recently published an article in which I stated that high inventory levels are the most common problem in warehouses. Inventory levels are determined in part by SKU count, the number of products a company has in its portfolio. And so I thought it might be worth exploring this idea a little further and talking… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Warehousing](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_Inventory_2023-12-29.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWarehousing Woes: Navigating Capacity Challenges<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
What is the most common problem in warehouses? It is not poor picking performance. It\u2019s not the labor shortage. It\u2019s too much inventory. They are full. I have had the opportunity to visit many warehouses over the last few years. And with very, very few exceptions, they all had one problem in common: they were… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Striking](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_Productivity.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nStriking the Balance: Investigating Diminishing Marginal Productivity in Warehouse Automation<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Introduction In most projects where a warehouse operator is investigating the use of automation, there are a number of different routes that can be taken. I\u2019m not just talking about the different types of technology that can be installed and used, but also the general direction the project can take in terms of scale and… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"Review](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_VolumeDive.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nReview of Volume Dive and Comparison with AutoStore<\/a><\/h2>\n\n
Introduction I have been following the cube storage market for some time. It is remarkable how many variations of the original AutoStore concept have emerged in recent years, some with very interesting approaches that address AutoStore\u2019s limitations. In this article, I would like to introduce and review another new entrant in the dynamic cube storage… <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li>
- \n\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Podcast_2_Thumbnail.png?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n - \n\n
![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beer-management.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cover_FireSafety.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n