This is WERC’s 21st annual DC Measures report, identifying the major developments and trends in warehousing and distribution strategies and operational metrics. The survey of distribution and logistics professionals contains more than 30 metrics companies can use to benchmark their operations, understand industry trends, and make informed, data-driven decisions. This year’s report also includes two separate breakout reports: one on technology deployment trends and one on the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies on the warehouse, which is an update to initial findings on ESG identified in 2023.
Among the key findings this year, the study revealed an increased focus on finances, with respondents saying that “reducing costs” is their number one goal in 2024. The top five metrics warehouses and DCs are using to measure performance focus on capacity, inbound operations, customer service, quality, and employees. They are:
- Average warehouse capacity used
- Peak warehouse capacity used
- Dock-to-stock cycle time, in hours
- On-time shipments
- •Inventory count accuracy by location and part-time workforce to total workforce
The technology findings revealed that most warehouses and DCs are focused on solutions that address inventory management; pick, pack, and ship; and receiving, as the top three areas. The study revealed a lack of focus on more advanced technologies, such as driverless vehicles, drones, and additive manufacturing.
The 2024 report is available online at werc.org/metrics.
