Why Food and Beverage Distributors Need to Prioritize Technology
Thanksgiving might not be the same this year. With inflation, supply-chain shortages and other challenges, turkeys will be more expensive and harder to come by. And the poultry industry isn't the only one feeling the pinch. Now, more than ever, it's critical that those in the food and beverage industry focus on efficiency, cost reduction (especially amid rising food costs) and supply chain issues surrounding delays.
So many decision-makers are opting to hold off on implementing automation to modernize their workforce. But there are several reasons that food and beverage distributors, in particular, need to equip employees with efficient and effective technology.
1. Ongoing Labor Shortages
Many operators have suffered labor shortages since the pandemic. But even warehouses that are well staffed can fall short when proper equipment is lacking. With legacy barcode scanning or computing technology, your labor shortage issues can quickly become even further exacerbated. Workers are slowed down by aging mobile computers or scanners that can't connect properly to Wi-Fi or drop connection. This means that your workers can't meet warehousing demand — causing not only frustration, but major delays.
The solution? When you augment your workforce with wearable, modern technology — you can ease the effects of the labor shortage, allowing workers to double or even triple their productivity each day.
2. The Unique Infrastructure of F&B Facilities
F&B distribution centers are a unique stronghold of the supply chain. They house the critical food and beverage items needed for grocers, restaurants, convenience stores, schools, businesses, and everywhere we find FOOD. This means workers within these environments have even more regulations and requirements for their equipment, and arguably require even more focus than picking and packing dry goods. Moving in and out of cold storage and handling perishable goods means workers need technology that allow them to do their jobs efficiently, that also withstand temperature fluctuations cold and neutral warehouse areas. Outdated or off-the-shelf mobile devices and barcode scanners do not hold up in cold when it comes to performance or battery life. If you’re experiencing quickly draining or slow devices, it’s time to prioritize modernization of your technology. Your workers will thank you.
3. Operational Costs Continue to Rise
Outdated equipment and processes — like legacy barcode-scanning technology or paper-based processes — can create compounding costs. The longer distributors neglect their aging processes and equipment, the more fatigued their workforce, and the less likely employees are able to meet the increasing demand of the industry.
When workers are fatigued and saddled with outdated android technology, there's a higher likelihood of errors, leading to wasted time and increased overtime costs for operators. This all affects your business' bottomline, especially in the food and beverage industry. By augmenting your workforce with wearable tools, employees can boost productivity by making tasks easier, less frustrating and allow workers to get more done at a more relaxed pace — a true win for everyone.
There are several reasons business owners might resist upgrading their warehouse technology, including:
Reason #1: I don't have time to implement new wearables for my workforce.
Solution: If you're interested in modernizing your frontline team, WorkHero demo kits are shipped and ready to go, right out of the box. That means you'll be prepared to test as soon as your equipment arrives. Since it's already integrated with your WMS or ERP software, workers can get to testing immediately. Plus, with our month-long free demo, we provide a seamless roadmap to ensure you can evaluate swiftly and deploy alongside your current technology stack, without interruption.
Reason #2: I don’t have any capital to infuse into my business right now.
Solution: This is a common complaint especially as businesses adjust to fluctuating consumer demand caused by the pandemic. The good news? You don’t need capital to utilize Rufus WorkHero — this is considered an operating expense that can be managed month-to-month.
Reason #3: My employees are comfortable with our current technology processes, and I don't want to frustrate them or cause them to leave.
Solution: Changing old habits and established workflows can be a hurdle, but once workers try on the new Rufus wearables, they'll experience the positive outcomes. In fact, we have a proven 99 percent worker satisfaction with our platform. WorkHero wearable barcode scanners and android devices are lightweight. Plus, they're rugged, and easy to use, reducing training time 400 percent, compared to traditional legacy devices. Additionally, WorkHero wearable scanners increase worker comfort and ease. In our experience, your employees will quickly embrace the change and you'll see a happier workforce.
Join the world’s leading Food and Beverage distributors and give your warehouse team WorkHero. Start by clicking the button below!