Overcoming Labor Turnover with Automation in Pharma Distribution
Pharmaceutical distribution companies are not immune to a significant challenge that hampers operational efficiency and escalates costs; labor turnover. The key to overcoming labor turnover in pharma distribution with automated solutions results from streamlining processes and reducing reliance on manual labor. Such solutions can efficiently manage inventory, process orders, and handle repetitive, labor-intensive tasks. By integrating automated systems, a pharma distribution company can boost productivity, minimize errors, and improve customer satisfaction.
Understanding the Impact of Labor Turnover in Pharmaceutical Distribution
Labor turnover presents significant challenges for most companies, but can be particularly difficult for pharmaceutical distribution companies. The departure of highly trained, experienced employees disrupts workflows, necessitates costly and time-consuming training for new hires, and potentially delays order throughput of critical pharmaceutical products. As these knowledgeable employees leave, they take with them their industry-specific insights, making it harder for the company to maintain efficiency and quality.
Overcoming labor turnover in pharma distribution with automated solutions is a practical way to address general labor challenges.
Automation in inventory management, order processing, and logistics can boost efficiency, reduce errors, and ensure the timely delivery of pharmaceutical products. By integrating automation, companies not only tackle the problems caused by labor turnover but also enhance overall performance and customer satisfaction.
Automation: The Solution to Labor Turnover in Pharmaceutical Distribution?
Automation not only reduces human error—a critical factor in an industry where accuracy is paramount—but also lessens a company’s labor dependency, thereby minimizing the disruptions caused by high turnover rates.
Automated solutions also allow a distribution operation to maintain high order throughput, manage disruption, and adjust to volume fluctuations.
At KPI Solutions, we offer a range of automated technologies tailored to address labor turnover challenges and enhance operational efficiency in the pharma distribution industry. Technologies like automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and automated picking systems significantly reduce manually driven tasks like order picking processes that often require extensive walking. Typically, less walking and lifting can bolster job satisfaction, thus helping reduce turnover.
Key Considerations When Implementing Automated Solutions in Pharmaceutical Distribution
While automation plays a critical role in addressing labor turnover and enhancing efficiency, integrating automated systems into existing operations requires careful consideration to ensure return on investment. Our whitepaper, “Five Things to Consider Before Implementing Warehouse Automation,” highlights essential factors, including:
- Defining Clear Objectives: It’s crucial to determine what success looks like for your automation project—be it reducing costs, increasing throughput, or improving order accuracy.
- Assessing Operations and Workflows: A thorough evaluation of your distribution volume, process complexity, and existing challenges is vital. Mapping out all workflows and understanding operational limitations are key steps in pinpointing the most suitable automation systems.
- Ensuring Seamless Integration: It’s important to ensure that new systems integrate smoothly with your current software and hardware to avoid disruptions.
Transitioning also requires comprehensive training for your employees. A well-executed change management strategy, with ongoing support and guidance, ensures that your team can quickly adapt to new systems and processes. The KPI Solutions LifeTime Services team can assist with successful change management by providing training, support, spare parts, and other key factors to maximize automation uptime.
Explore More with KPI Solutions
Our entire team is dedicated to helping pharmaceutical distribution companies overcome challenges associated with labor turnover. Our best-of-breed automated solutions are designed to enhance operational efficiency, reduce reliance on manual labor, improve accuracy, and boost productivity. Featuring advanced inventory management and order fulfillment technologies, these systems can integrate seamlessly with your existing infrastructure, providing a substantial competitive edge.
Our satisfied customers have seen significant benefits, including enhanced efficiency and cost savings. Partner with us to transform your operations and excel in the competitive pharmaceutical industry.
Contact Us
Discover how our automation solutions can revolutionize your operations. Contact KPI Solutions today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in achieving operational excellence.
Five things to consider before implementing warehouse automation
Buyers and users of warehouse automation have told us it’s becoming less of a choice and more of an imperative to automate their facilities.
Based on learnings from interviews with companies that have already automated their facilities, we’ve compiled a list of 5 key things for companies considering automation.
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