List of figures List of tables Acknowledgements Introduction 01 The role of the warehouse Introduction Types of warehouse operation Why do we hold stock? Warehouse location Number of warehouses Supply chain trends affecting warehouses The growth of e-fulfilment and its effect on the warehouse Specialized warehousing Summary and conclusion 02 Role of the warehouse manager Introduction Warehouse trade-offs The warehouse manager''s challenges Lean warehousing People management People challenges Attracting and retaining warehouse employees An ageing and constantly changing workforce Operating hours Training Warehouse audit Quality systems Summary and conclusion 03 Warehouse processes: receiving and put-away Introduction Receiving Pre-receipt In-handling Preparation Offloading Checking Cross docking Recording Quality control Put-away Summary and conclusion 04 Warehouse processes: pick preparation Introduction Preparation Warehouse pick area layout Summary and conclusion 05 Picking strategies and equipment Introduction Picker to goods Goods to picker Types of automated picking Examples of automated picking systems Handling equipment Storage equipment Summary and conclusion 06 Order-picking methods Introduction Paper pick lists Pick by label Pick by voice Barcode scanning Radio frequency identification Pick by light/pick to light Put to light Comparisons Cost of errors Deciding on type of picking system and equipment Summary and conclusion 07 Warehouse processes from replenishment to despatch and beyond Introduction Replenishment Value-adding services Indirect activities Stock management Stock or inventory counting Cycle counting or perpetual inventory counts The count itself Security Returns processing Despatch Role of the driver Summary and conclusion 08 Warehouse management systems Introduction Why does a company need a WMS? Choosing a WMS The process Selecting the right WMS What to look for in a system Selecting a partner Before the final decision Implementation Software as a service Cloud computing Summary and conclusion 09 Warehouse layout Introduction Data collection and analysis Space calculations Aisle width Other space Warehouse layout examples Finding additional space Summary and conclusion 10 Storage and handling equipment Introduction Storage equipment Storage options Shuttle technology with a difference Very high bay warehouses Other storage media Warehouse handling equipment Vertical and horizontal movement Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) Specialized equipment Recent technical advances Summary and conclusion 11 Resourcing a warehouse Introduction Processing activities Other factors Summary and conclusion 12 Warehouse costs Introduction Types of costs Return on investment (ROI) Traditional versus activity-based costing systems Charging for shared-user warehouse services Logistics charging methods Hybrid Summary and conclusion 13 Performance management Introduction Why do we need to measure? What should we be measuring? How to choose the right performance measures Traditional productivity measures New performance metrics Hard and soft measures Integrated performance models Benchmarking Balanced scorecard Summary and conclusion 14 Outsourcing Introduction The outsourcing decision Core activity/core competence Improvement in customer service Cost reduction Labour relations Financial strategy Flexibility Role of third-party contractors Preparing to outsource Choosing the right partner The transition Managing a third-party relationship Why contracts fail The future of outsourcing Summary and conclusion 15 Health and safety Introduction Risk assessments Layout and design Fire safety Slips and trips Manual handling Working at height Vehicles Forklift trucks Warehouse equipment legislation First aid Summary and conclusion 16 The warehouse and the environment Introduction Legislation and other pressures Warehouse energy usage Energy production The environment and waste Packaging Pallets Stretch wrap Cartons Labelling Product waste Waste disposal Hazardous waste Forklift trucks Summary and conclusion 17 The warehouse of the future Introduction Context Views of the future: the landscape Views of the future: the warehouse Other advances Summary and conclusion Appendices References Useful websites Glossary Index.