Is Automation The Answer To All Of Your Supply Chain Issues?

BarrettGPT • April 11, 2023

Consider partnering with a 3PL who utilizes the latest and greatest automation and robotics tools to fulfill high-volume eCommerce orders

At Barrett Distribution Centers, we understand the critical role that automation plays in optimizing operations for DTC or omnichannel ecommerce brands. To keep up with the increasing demand for faster delivery and high-quality service, it is essential to consider the integration of robotics and automation into the supply chain process. In this article, we will explore the benefits of automation in logistics and how Barrett Distribution's advanced, automated solutions, such as Locus Robotics and 6RS, can provide a competitive edge for ecommerce businesses.


Many logistics companies have yet to adopt automation, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. On the other hand, advanced automation solutions, such as Locus Robotics and 6RS, can streamline operations, reduce errors, and increase throughput. Barrett Distribution's advanced robotics solutions have proven to increase efficiency and throughput, resulting in lower costs and faster order fulfillment.


Locus Robotics is an innovative, collaborative robot solution designed to enhance the productivity of ecommerce warehouses. The robots are designed to work alongside employees and provide increased throughput with less physical strain on employees. Locus Robotics helps optimize picking operations, reduce errors, and increase productivity by providing more efficient and accurate picking solutions. With real-time communication capabilities, Locus Robotics enables efficient coordination between employees and the robot to ensure a smooth and seamless workflow. By partnering with Barrett Distribution, ecommerce businesses can benefit from the speed and efficiency of Locus Robotics to provide a competitive edge in the marketplace.


Another innovative solution is 6RS, a provider of warehouse automation technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to optimize fulfillment processes. The platform integrates with warehouse management systems to provide a seamless solution for order fulfillment. By using data-driven insights, 6RS can predict inventory demand, optimize picking routes, and improve fulfillment accuracy. With 6RS, ecommerce businesses can reduce order lead times, increase efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.


Moreover, Barrett Distribution's state-of-the-art Warehouse Management System (WMS) leverages the latest technologies to provide comprehensive and accurate data insights. The WMS's advanced features, such as real-time inventory tracking, can significantly reduce inventory errors and ensure accurate product availability. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction and ultimately, increased sales.

In addition to reducing errors and increasing efficiency, Barrett Distribution's automated solutions can also offer improved safety in the workplace. With the integration of robotics, there is less risk of workplace injuries, which can result in reduced downtime, insurance costs, and an overall safer work environment.


By partnering with Barrett Distribution, ecommerce businesses can take advantage of advanced robotics and automation technologies, such as Locus Robotics and 6RS, to design a new, engineered solution that will help scale their thousands-of-outbound-orders-per-day-business with a national provider. The use of automation can lead to increased productivity, reduced costs, improved accuracy, and better customer satisfaction.


In conclusion, automation is a critical factor in optimizing supply chain operations for ecommerce businesses. By partnering with Barrett Distribution, businesses can take advantage of the latest technologies and robotics, such as Locus Robotics and 6RS, to streamline their operations and achieve greater efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Don't let the lack of automation hinder your supply chain success. Contact Barrett Distribution today and take the first step towards an automated and optimized supply chain.


Recent Blog Posts

Getting It Squared Away: Barrett Distribution Centers Powers Mary Square's Multichannel Fulfillment Launch

By Katherine Wroth • February 19, 2026
FRANKLIN, Mass., Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Barrett Distribution Centers , a leading third-party logistics provider specializing in eCommerce and omnichannel fulfillment, announced a new partnership with Mary Square , a women's lifestyle and apparel brand based in Apex, North Carolina. Mary Square is now live at Barrett's Olive Branch, Miss., fulfillment facility, where Barrett supports a network of high-growth eCommerce brands.  "After outgrowing our previous 3PL, we needed a scalable partner who could move quickly during a critical time of year," said Kelly Shiley , founder of Mary Square. "Barrett launched us in less than three weeks, ensuring business continuity across two brands and three channels. Watching our first order ship felt like a true fresh start." Mary Square is known for its colorful, faith-inspired apparel and accessories, including dresses and loungewear. The company blends fashion with purpose, emphasizing uplifting messages, community and charitable giving as part of its brand identity. In addition to women's apparel under the Mary Square brand, the company offers jewelry through its Michelle McDowell brand. "We are very excited to partner with Kelly Shiley and the Mary Square team!" said Dan Klenkar , vice president of customer solutions at Barrett. "Launching across two brands and three channels in 13 business days required strong collaboration, communication, and operational goals, and we're proud to support their continued growth." Mary Square's transition to Barrett reflects the growing need for scalable third-party logistics solutions among high-growth, purpose-driven consumer brands seeking operational excellence across multiple sales channels. About Mary Square Mary Square is a women-owned lifestyle brand founded by Kelly Shiley. The company creates apparel, accessories and gifts designed to inspire confidence and spread love. What began as a creative outlet and personal recovery journey following postpartum depression has grown into a nationally recognized brand represented in more than 4,000 stores and boutiques. Each product reflects Mary Square's commitment to empowering women and celebrating life's everyday moments. About Barrett Distribution Centers Since 1941, Barrett has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. Barrett continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, Barrett is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact Barrett directly here . Official Release Here

Don’t Choose a 3PL Provider Until You Do This

By Katherine Wroth • January 28, 2026
If you’re evaluating third-party logistics (3PL) partners, the #1 tip is simple: Go on-site. A site visit will tell you more in 15 minutes than any sales presentation ever will — and it can save you months of operational pain down the road. While on-site, here are the top three things you should be doing: 1. Meet the people doing the work Start with the people — not the slides. Meet the operators on the floor Talk to the warehouse managers Ask questions directly to the people picking, packing, and shipping orders You’ll learn quickly whether the team truly understands the operation or is just following a script. A strong 3PL isn’t just systems and software — it’s experienced people who care about execution. Bonus tip: Spend time with the general manager . Their visibility, accountability, and involvement matter more than most brands realize. 2. Pay attention to cleanliness and organization This one is underrated — and incredibly telling. Are aisles clearly marked? Is inventory organized and easy to locate? Are workstations clean and efficient? Pro tip: Check the bathrooms 👀 If shared spaces are clean and well-maintained, chances are the same standards apply to inventory, orders, and overall service. 3. Watch how orders actually move through the building Don’t just ask how fulfillment works — watch it happen . How do orders flow from receiving to storage to pick, pack, and ship? Are there bottlenecks? Is automation helping or slowing things down? Do employees seem confident in the process? This is where reality separates itself from the pitch deck. What looks great on paper can fall apart in motion, and a live walkthrough makes that obvious fast. Why a site visit matters more than any deck A 3PL can show you metrics, technology screenshots, and polished case studies. But only a site visit shows you: Culture Execution Attention to detail How issues are handled in real time That firsthand perspective can prevent misalignment, missed expectations, and painful transitions after go-live. The bottom line If you’re choosing a 3PL partner, don’t skip this step. Go on-site. Meet the people. Watch the operation. It’s the fastest way to validate your decision — and one of the smartest moves you can make before signing a contract. Interested in booking a visit to one of Barrett's facilities? Contact us to schedule your free peak season audit here.

Most Warehouses Buy the Wrong Robots — Here’s How Barrett Avoids That

By Katherine Wroth • December 16, 2025
Warehouse automation isn’t new, but determining when it actually makes sense is where most companies struggle. Recorded live at WERC 2025 in New Orleans, this conversation brings together leaders directly involved in real-world warehouse automation decisions. Kevin Lawson interviews Chris Lingenfelter , founder of Robot Advisors, and our very own Tim Barrett , CEO of Barrett Distribution Centers. They sit down for a practical discussion on robotics, drones, and the hype surrounding automation. The focus stays on what actually matters: cost per unit, operational fit, employee experience, and ROI. If you’re evaluating warehouse automation or wondering why past investments haven’t delivered, this breakdown offers practical, experience-backed insights. Why Barrett took a robot-agnostic approach One of the most important takeaways from the WERC session: there is no one-size-fits-all robot. Barrett was an early adopter of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), including systems from Locus Robotics and Six River Systems. But instead of standardizing on one solution, the company evaluates automation based on: SKU count and product size Order profiles and velocity Facility layout Customer growth expectations A footwear operation with serialized inventory has very different needs than an apparel fulfillment center, and Barrett treats them that way. The result: better outcomes for customers and lower long-term operational risk. Inventory drones: the unexpected game changer While AMRs get the spotlight, Barrett’s biggest automation win came from inventory drones. Using drone-based cycle counting, Barrett increased inventory count frequency by more than 7x while significantly reducing labor costs. For high-accuracy environments, especially serialized footwear inventory, this technology proved essential. The impact went beyond numbers: Higher inventory accuracy Faster exception resolution Better employee roles focused on analysis instead of manual counting In short, automation didn’t eliminate jobs. It made them better. How Barrett really thinks about ROI ROI isn’t ignored, but it isn’t the only metric. Barrett evaluates automation using cost per unit shipped rather than chasing flashy payback models. Capital investments are amortized based on contract life and redeployment potential, then layered with labor and operating costs. The guiding question is simple: Which solution produces the lowest sustainable cost per unit? That approach keeps decision-making grounded and aligned with customer outcomes, not tech hype. “To bot or not” starts with a baseline Chris Lingenfelter, founder of Robot Advisors, reinforced a critical point during the session: You can’t evaluate automation if you don’t understand how your warehouse operates today. Many companies struggle to answer basic questions: What does each unit really cost to ship? Where are labor inefficiencies hiding? Which processes are already working well? Before recommending automation, Robot Advisors helps operators establish a true baseline, then compare technologies objectively. Sometimes, the right answer isn’t robotics at all. That honesty matters. Automation as a competitive advantage for 3PLs For Barrett, automation isn’t just an operational tool. It’s a competitive differentiator. When engaging new prospects, the team often presents: Multiple automation paths Clear tradeoffs between solutions A data-backed rationale for each option That depth of analysis resonates with COOs and CFOs evaluating long-term fulfillment partners. It signals preparedness, transparency, and experience, not guesswork. The workforce question: what changes, what doesn’t As robotics adoption increases, warehouse roles are evolving. At Barrett, automation shifted labor away from repetitive tasks and toward: Exception management System oversight Data analysis Engineering and IT support Over time, this required growing centralized IT and engineering teams, a necessary investment to support advanced operations across multiple facilities. The takeaway from WERC 2025 was clear: automation changes work. It doesn’t eliminate the need for people. Thinking about automation, but not sure where to start? Contact us now for a free supply chain consultation.
More Posts