“We have some ideas on what we need to do for our distribution operations, but when do we start talking to a company like DLN?”
In theory, based on long experience, our answer is always as soon as possible.
The sooner we are looped in, the better we can understand where things stand and what your biggest priorities should be. We can also potentially save you money and help you avoid mistakes along the way.
In practice, we find that it is usually Immediately – Stuff is Broken!, Soon – We Don’t Know Where to Start, or Talk Now for Future Planning. Read on to see examples of what those time frames include.
Immediately – Our ____ is Broken!
You know exactly what’s wrong. If you’re dealing with urgent challenges—equipment breakdowns, limited floor space, high error rates, or heavy labor demands—we can get started right away. You know the biggest issues that need to get solved. So we focus on the challenges you’ve already identified and work quickly to stabilize your operation.
Examples:
- Your conveyors keep breaking down and you can’t get parts anymore
- Your volume grew and your sortation system can’t keep up
- Your WMS is outdated and unsupported
- You have a heavy task for which you can’t dedicate more personnel
Case in point:
A food processor came to us with one goal—they needed move large, heavy frozen cases of vegetables faster. We designed a custom automation solution to solve that immediate need. Once that proved successful, we expanded our work together to support broader improvements across their facility.
Talk Now to Find & Prioritize Upgrade Opportunities
You think you know what’s wrong but aren’t sure what to do first. If you’re not in crisis mode but know there’s room for improvement, we can help you make sense of the data. Through an Operations Assessment, we’ll analyze your current facility, identify inefficiencies, and provide a recommendation course of action—complete with budget guidance—to reach your goals.
Examples:
- You are running out of room in an older facility with no budget to build new
- Your facility has multiple systems breaking down
- Your existing building needs to boost throughput within the next 12 months
Case in point:
Over 15 years ago, a rapidly growing national discount retailer asked us to help extend the life of an aging distribution center. We delivered quick fixes and smart upgrades that bought them time. Since then, we’ve become their trusted partner, designing, installing, and supporting all their distribution centers nationwide.
Talk Now to Prepare for Future
You know it’s time to make a plan. New competitive pressure, higher customer expectations, company expansion are a few common reasons.
Maybe you’re looking ahead—a year, a few years, even ten years down the line. Our Solutions team can help you evaluate your full operation and make informed, strategic decisions about what’s next.
Examples:
- You’re expanding into a new geography / planning a new facility
- You need to examine your fulfillment options for new SKUs or fluctuating demand
- You need solutions for several challenges with solid ROI to bring to leadership
Case in point:
A growing eCommerce retailer asked us to map out how they could transition out of a 3PL model within five years. Our Engineering Study gave them a clear path forward, aligned with their growth strategy.
We Can Help
No matter where you’re starting from, we’ll meet you there.
Whether it’s fixing the urgent, finding opportunities in your data, or planning for the future—we bring deep expertise, real results, and a long-term partnership mindset.
Let’s talk about where you are—and where you want to go. Contact us to start the conversation.
