10 – Packaging and Material Handling

Introduction

When packing food for the convenience of handling, thickly waxed cartons, wooden crates, or rigid plastic containers are preferable to bags or open baskets because bags and baskets offer no protection to the produce when piled. Locally built containers can sometimes be fortified or lined to provide additional protection for produce. While more expensive, waxed cartons, wooden crates, and plastic containers are reusable and can withstand the high relative humidity in the storage environment. For best performance, containers should not be filled loosely or tightly. Loose items may vibrate against one another, causing bruising, whereas overpacking causes compression bruising. Shredded newspaper is a low-cost and lightweight shipping container filler.

Provide extensive instructions to small-scale handlers who want to build boxes out of corrugated fiberboard. Many agricultural fibres are suited for paper production, and handlers may find it economically advantageous to incorporate these processes into their post-harvest system.

Packaging can be both a help and an impediment to achieving optimal storage life and quality across the entire handling system. Packages must be ventilated while yet being strong enough to prevent collapse. Collapsed packaging offers tattle or no protection, requiring the commodity inside to bear the entire weight of the overhead load. Packing is intended to protect the commodity by immobilising and cushioning it. However, it can make temperature management more difficult if packing materials obstruct air holes. Packing materials can act as vapour barriers, maintaining higher relative humidity levels within the box. Besides providing protection, packaging enables rapid handling throughout distribution and marketing and can reduce the effects of rough handling.

10.1 Packaging Perspectives

Packaging is a container in which the product is delivered to the ultimate user. It is part of the product’s presentation and remains until the buyer takes it from the retail outlet. Packaging is not to be confused with packing, which is the external protective covering used to carry products safely to the importer.

An example of packing is a plastic box that packs a set of embroidered handkerchiefs.

On the other hand, corrugated fireboard boxes are used to pack plastic containers for safe shipping to the importer in the foreign country, which would be considered packing.

Packaging is an integral part of a product’s marketing; it is a component of the increased product. The augmented product is the component that deals with adding new features to the fundamental product to meet customer expectations. These characteristics include packaging, delivery arrangements, warehousing, customer advice, etc. to provide value to the goods. In truth, the battle between exporters on the international market is not about the core product or its essential tangible attributes but about the augmented product. For example, an expensive chessboard wrapped in an old newspaper provided to a customer will likely lose out to an identical chessboard appropriately set and presented in a good matching box. In the latter situation, the packaging elevates the product’s value and provides additional ‘value’ to the customer.

Exporters should create value-added propositions for prospective buyers in international markets. Exporters can obtain an advantage over their competitors and secure business if their offer is superior. This necessitates some ingenuity in the offer’s formulation. The renowned four Ps of marketing (product, pricing, place, and promotion) provide a framework for numerous decisions to construct a value-rich offer. Product inventiveness includes not only the basic product design, finish, use of various materials, quality specifications, and so on, but also the labelling and packaging of the product.

Furthermore, the exporter can use the growing awareness of the importance of pollution prevention as a powerful promotional weapon in international markets. During the latter half of the 1990s, environmental issues such as eco-labels and environmentally friendly packaging took centre stage in multinational business. Packing the export cargo and adequately labelling the export crates are both critical.

The logistics of export order execution advise that once the items have been bought, processed or manufactured for export, the exporter should focus on labelling and packaging concerns—the decision-making processes involved in acquiring materials/goods and mobilising sufficient financial resources.

10.2 Packaging for Material Handling Efficiency 

There are a variety of materials available for packing items. Paper, plastics, wood, cardboard, and other materials fall under this category. Because the importer must plan further for consumer packaging, the packaging materials should be chosen with the importer’s specifications in mind. In general, the following considerations would influence the packing material selection:

• Product specifications.
• Methods of transportation and storage
• The climate and culture
• Environmental and safety considerations
• The market position.

The type and quality of packaging vary depending on the product.

Certain products, such as clothing, shoes, and textiles, are sold to consumers without packaging.

In retail stores, they are frequently displayed without any wrapping. Such items do not necessitate high-priced packaging.

Cardboard boxes protect and preserve the appearance of products such as sets of glasses or tableware, decorations with several delicate elements, pairs of candle holders, glass vases, delicate figurines, and so on during handling and exhibition.

Expensive products and gift items, such as jewellery, necessitate a high level of packing. The higher the price or exclusivity of the product, the higher the high quality and the higher the cost of the packaging.

10.2.1 Different Types of Packaging

Packing for export items can be categorised into the following categories based on the use of packaging materials:

Packaging made of plastic

Many types of plastic materials are used in the packaging of export products. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene are the most commonly used plastic polymers for packaging (PP). Low-density polyethene (PE-LD) film and high-density polyethene (HDPE) film are the two primary types of polyethene film used in consumer packaging (PE-HD).

PE-LD film manufactures plastic bags, shrink wrap, and stretch wrap. This film is quite effective for protecting against moisture and dirt. However, it does not offer any mechanical protection. Exporters can use PE-LD films to wrap articles and package products such as T-shirts, tablecloths, napkins, leather handbags, etc. These items are packaged in clear plastic bags suitable for retail display.

Shrink-wrapping involves loosely wrapping a specially treated film around the product(s) and then shrinking it with heat to make a tight package. This type of packaging is appropriate for solid products such as sets of drinking glasses, egg cups, tables, and so on.

Stretch wrapping involves firmly wrapping a thin film around the goods, frequently in multiple layers. When the wrap is finished, the stretched film seeks to return to its original size, thereby tightly binding the product or group of products in place.

PE-HD is also used to make plastic bags because it is more resistant to moisture and fats than PE-LD. Although PE-HD’s price is higher than PE-LD’s, both plastic films are environmentally benign because they are simple to recycle.

The PP films are more durable than the PE films. Bags made of PP films are preferable for packaging fabrics and clothes since they can be printed or used plainly. Regarding moisture protection, PP films outperform PE films, which are more expensive. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is another option for PP films.

Plastic boxes are ideal for retail packaging jewellery and other tiny, valuable items. They are also suitable for enhancing the appeal of products such as embroidered handkerchiefs or tablecloths, souvenir dolls, etc. They are available in square, oval, and circular shapes and printed or unprinted versions.

Packaging Made of Paper

Paper-based materials, such as paperboard cartons or corrugated fibreboard boxes, are used as wrapping. Papers can be coated with polymers, waxed, or treated with anti-corrosion chemicals. Paper is made from either virgin or recycled wood fibres. The former is more potent than the latter.

Paper wrappings give dust and light protection but not mechanical protection.

When the surrounding air is more humid than the paper, it absorbs moisture; when the surroundings are drier, it gives up moisture. Thus, paper wrappings can protect the inside of packages from humidity and slow down the damaging effect of moisture in the air.

Folding Cartons Made of Paperboard

For various reasons, folding cartons of various paperboard qualities can be used as retail packaging. Folding cartons are inexpensive, can be moulded practically indefinitely, and may be printed decoratively. Properly constructed cartons provide mechanical protection to products, protect them from dust and light, and are easy to handle in retail stores. The stiffness of such boxes is the most significant attribute.

Cans made of paper board

Paperboard is a relatively affordable paper-based retail packaging that packs various products. To give further humidity protection, these cans can be coated on the inside with aluminium foil or plastic films. Toys, puzzles, games, tennis balls, and other sporting goods are packaged in such cans.

Packaging made of both plastic and cardboard

Three forms of packaging use a combination of paperboard and plastic materials. These are the following:

• Skin packaging;
• Blister packaging and
• Plastic bags with a cardboard card

These containers are mainly used for retail packaging of pens, small toys, gift items, and lightweight souvenir items. This packaging has numerous advantages: the product is visible through plastic, the paperboard card can be printed with information and sales appeal, and small things are less likely to be lost or stolen.

1. Skin Packaging: Skin packaging is a type of packaging in which the product is initially placed on a paperboard card with a heat seal covering before being sealed. It is appropriate for things that require moisture protection but are not too heavy or pricey. However, it is not ideal for heat-sensitive items.

2. Blister Packaging: The product is initially placed in a pre-formed plastic blister, which is then fastened to a paperboard card. Blister packaging can be used for various products, including toys, pens, textiles, and decorations.

3. Plastic bag with Paperboard Card: In this type of packaging, a paperboard card is attached to the plastic bags through a hole in the bag. This improves the attractiveness of essential plastic bags while remaining very cost-effective. The information and attraction can be printed on the paperboard card. Plastic bags can be manufactured of any material, although PP film is recommended for better product presentation.

Miscellaneous Packaging

For packaging, the exporter can use wood, fabrics, straw, leaves, or any other locally accessible materials. Specially designed wooden boxes can be used to package traditional pottery, woodcarvings, other gift goods, jewellery, etc. If wooden packaging is used as a gift or retail box, it must be crafted with the same attention to detail as the object. This means it should be smooth, clean, and dry, with all hinges and locks in good working order. It is also critical to place the product in wooden packaging with enough cushioning material to prevent damage during shipment. Before utilising wood as a packing material, it is usually a good idea to verify if there are any restrictions regarding the treatment or certification of wooden products.

10.3  Materials Handling 

Product handling is critical to warehouse productivity for various reasons.

First, the relative number of labour hours required to undertake material handling exposes the company to any decrease in output rate per labour hour. Because material handling is relatively labour-intensive, warehousing is typically more responsive to labour productivity than manufacturing.

Second, the direct benefits of increased information technology in warehouse material handling are limited. While computerization has brought new technologies and capabilities, most material handling still requires significant manual input.

Third, until recently, warehouse material handling was not controlled in conjunction with other logistical tasks, nor did it receive much attention from senior management. Finally, automation technology that can reduce material-handling labour is only now reaching its full potential.

Material handling is the most labour-intensive aspect of the warehouse system. One of the most expensive people costs in logistics is the labour involved in product selection and handling. Emerging handling technologies have the potential to minimise labour intensity while increasing productivity. Logistics primarily focuses on material and product incoming and outbound flows rather than inventory storage.

Consequently, warehouse design is essential for overall handling efficiency and labour productivity.

10.3.1 Requirements for Handling

The primary handling goal in a warehouse is to organise inbound shipments according to specific customer needs. Receiving, in-storage handling, and shipping are the three handling activities.

Receiving

Merchandise and materials usually arrive at the warehouse in more significant quantities than they leave. The initial handling task is to unload the vehicle. Unloading is often done by hand in most warehouses. Only a few automated and mechanised systems capable of adapting to changing product features have been devised. One or two people usually unload a shipment. The product is hand-stacked on pallets or slip sheets for transportation efficiency to form a unit load. Conveyors are sometimes used to discharge automobiles more quickly. More oversized items can be unloaded immediately from the car or truck and moved into the warehouse. Unloading time is drastically reduced with containerized or unit-load shipments.

In Storage Handling

Storage handling encompasses all movement within a warehouse. Following product receipt, products must be moved within the warehouse to be positioned for storage or order selection. Finally, the appropriate products must be gathered and conveyed to a shipping location after receiving an order. Transfer and selection are the two methods of in-storage handling.

A typical warehouse requires at least two, and frequently three, transfer movements. The item is initially brought into the premises and stored in a designated area. Forklift trucks manage incoming movement when pallets or slip sheets are utilised or other mechanical traction for more oversized unit loads. Depending on the warehouse’s operational norms, a second internal movement may be required before order assembly. When a product is required for order selection, it is moved to an order selection or picking area. This second movement may be skipped if the goods, such as a stove or washing machine, are physically huge or cumbersome. The assortment of products required for a client shipment is moved from the warehouse to the shipping pier during the final transfer.

The warehouse’s principal function is selection. The selection process organises inputs, parts, and finished goods into customer orders. To reduce travel distance, one warehouse sector is often designated as a selection area. A computerised control system often coordinates the selection process, which is the primary focus of warehouse automation.

Shipping

Shipping entails checking and loading orders onto transportation trucks. In most systems, shipping, like receiving, is done manually. Shipping with unit loads is becoming more common because of the significant time savings in vehicle loading. A unit load comprises grouped products, whereas a dead-stack or floor-stack load consists of boxes loaded directly from the floor. When merchandise changes ownership due to shipment, a checking process is required.

The productivity potential that may be gained from capital investment in material-handling equipment is an incredibly encouraging component of modern logistics. Material handling cannot be avoided in logistics operations, but it should be kept to a minimum. The technical issues of material handling are complex, and this article does not cover them all. The following section, on the other hand, will go over handling methods and efficiency. The talk will then shift to recent advancements in automated handling.

Considerations for Basic Handling

The logistics system’s material handling is centred in and around the warehouse site. The management of bulk items and master cartons differs fundamentally. Bulk handling occurs when protective packaging at the master carton level is not required. Bulk unloading necessitates using specialised handling equipment for solids, fluids, or gaseous materials. The material that follows focuses on master carton handling inside the logistical system.

Several guidelines have been proposed over the years to aid managers in the design of material-handling systems. These are some examples:

1. Handling and storage equipment should be as standardised as possible.
2. The system should be built to ensure maximum continuous product flow while in motion.
3. Investing in handling rather than stationary equipment should be prioritised.
4. As much as feasible, handling equipment should be used.
5. When selecting handling equipment, the deadweight-to-payload ratio should be kept as low as possible.
6. Gravity flow should be incorporated into system design whenever possible. There are two types of handling systems:

• Mechanised and
• Non-mechanized.
• Semi-automatic
• Automated
• Information-directed

In mechanised systems, a combination of labour and handling equipment facilitates receiving, processing, and shipping. In general, labour accounts for much of the total cost of mechanised handling.

Depending on the situation, an automated handling system can be used to meet any essential handling criteria. The system is referred to as partially automated when selected handling requirements are performed using automated equipment and the remainder of the handling is conducted on a mechanised basis.

Computers are used in an information-directed system to maximise control over automated handling equipment. The most popular handling methods are mechanised. On the other hand, the use of semi-automated and automated systems is rapidly expanding. As previously stated, one factor contributing to low logistical productivity is that information-directed handling has yet to reach its full potential. This situation is expected to change dramatically during the 1990s.

10.3.2 Handling Equipments

Mechanized systems make use of a variety of handling devices. The following are the most regularly used types of equipment:

1. Forklift Trucks:

Loads of master cartons can be moved horizontally and vertically by forklift trucks. A pallet or slip sheet serves as a platform for stacking master boxes. A slip sheet is a thin material, such as corrugated paper or solid fibre. Slip sheets are a low-cost alternative to pallets and are appropriate when the product is only handled a few times. A forklift truck can generally transport up to two unit loads (two pallets) simultaneously. Forklifts, on the other hand, are not confined to unit-load handling. Skids or cartons may also be transported depending on the nature of the goods. There are numerous varieties of forklift trucks available. In logistics warehouses, high-stacking trucks capable of up to 40 feet of vertical movement, palletless side-clamp variants, and trucks capable of functioning in aisles as narrow as 56 inches can be found. In recent years, warehouses have paid particular attention to narrow-aisle forklift trucks as they aim to boost rack storage density and overall storage capacity. Because of the high labour-to-transfer ratio, forklift trucks are not cost-effective for long-distance horizontal movement. As a result, forklifts are most successfully used in shipping, receiving, and placing items in high cube storage. Propane gas and electricity are the two most prevalent power sources for forklifts. Many forklift operations are increasing their productivity by utilising new communication technology. For example, radio frequency data communication (RFDC) is used to expedite load storage and retrieval assignments for forklift truck operators in warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution operations. Workers receive their assignments via handheld or vehicle-mounted RF terminals rather than handwritten or pre-printed instructions. When combined with bar code scanning of cartons and pallets, RF technology provides real-time communication to central data processing systems, allowing forklift truck operators to receive and update item status inquiries, material orders and movements, and inventory adjustments. Pioneer Hi-Bred International Company demonstrates this application of technology to forklift operations.

2. Walkie-Rider Pallet Trucks:

Walkie-rider pallet trucks are a low-cost, high-efficiency technique for general material handling. They are typical applications for loading and unloading, order selection and accumulation, and transporting items over longer distances across the warehouse. The most common power source is electricity.

3. Towlines:

Towlines are floor- or overhead-mounted drag mechanisms. On a continuous power basis, they are used with four-wheel trailers. The primary benefit of a towline is continual movement. However, such handling devices lack the versatility of forklift trucks. Towlines are most commonly used for order selection within the warehouse. Order selections load products onto a four-wheel trailer and tow it to the shipping pier. Several automatic decoupling devices that direct trailers off the main line to specific shipping docks have been perfected. The relative merits of in-floor and overhead towline installation are a source of contention. In-floor installation is expensive to modify and challenging to maintain in terms of housekeeping. Overhead installation is more adaptable, but unless the warehouse floor is ideally level, the line may shake the front wheels of the trailers off the ground, potentially causing product damage.

4. Tow Tractor with Trailers:

A tow tractor with trailer comprises a driver-guided power unit that tows several independent four-wheel “trailers” that hold several palletized goods. The trailers are typically 4 by 8 feet in size. The tow tractor with trailer, like the towline, is commonly used to assist with order selection. The most significant benefit of using a tow tractor with trailers is flexibility. It is less cost-effective than a towline because it requires more labour participation and is frequently idle. Significant progress has been achieved in automated-guided vehicle systems (AGVS). These are covered in the semi-automated material handling section.

5. Conveyors:

Conveyors are frequently employed in shipping and receiving operations and are the primary handling devices in various order selection systems.

Conveyors are classified according to the following criteria:

• Power
• Gravity
• Movement of a roller or belt

In power systems, a chain is driven from above or below the conveyor. Such power configuration installations compromise considerable conveyor flexibility.

Portable gravity-style roller conveyors are frequently used at warehouses for loading and unloading. Sometimes, they are transported on over-the-road trailers to aid unloading at the destination.

6. Carousels:

A carousel works on a different principle than most other types of mechanised handling equipment. It uses a series of bins mounted on an oval track to transport the requested item to the order selection. The carousel spins, bringing the desired bin to the operator. There are numerous carousels to choose from. Individual package selection in pack and repack processes and service parts activities are typical applications. Carousel systems are designed to reduce order selection labour requirements by lowering walking length/paths and time. Carousels, particularly modern stackable or multitiered systems, also cut storage floor requirements dramatically.

7. Pick-to-Light Systems:

Technology has also been used to carousel systems in the form of “pick-to-light” systems. Order selectors in these systems pick certain goods from carousel bins or conveyors and place them directly into cartons. A series of lights or a “light tree” in front of each pick point indicates the number of items to pick from that location. The light system can also signal when a carton is ready to be moved. “Softbars” show the order selector how many things are needed in a carton in systems where an item is picked to fill numerous orders because each carton typically represents a separate order. Specific carousel systems incorporate computer-generated choice lists and computer-directed carousel rotation to boost selection productivity. Because there is no paperwork to stymie staff efforts, these methods are called “paperless picking.” The types of mechanical material-handling equipment presented here are just a few examples of the many options available. The majority of systems integrate various types of handling devices. Forklift trucks, for example, can be used for vertical transfers, while tow tractors with trailers and walkie-rider pallet trucks can be used for horizontal transfers.

8. Semi-automated handling:

A semi-automated system adds to a mechanised system by automating specific handling tasks. As a result, the semi-automated warehouse combines mechanised and automated handling. Semi-automated warehouses commonly use automated-guided vehicle systems, computerised sortation, robotics, and various live racks.

9. Automated-guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS):

An AGVS performs the same handling function as a mechanised tow tractor with a trailer or rider pallet truck. The main distinction is that an AGVS does not require an operator. It is routed and positioned at the destination without human intervention. An optical or magnetic system guides typical AGVS equipment. The optical application involves placing tape on the warehouse floor and directing the equipment with a light beam that concentrates on the guidance path. An electrified wire is put on the floor, followed by a magnetic AGVS. The most significant benefit is the absence of a driver. Newer AGVs employ cameras and information technology to navigate courses that do not require permanent tracks. AGVs today are smaller, simpler, and more adaptable than their preceding systems from the 1980s. AGVs have fallen out of favour recently, with industry orders falling by 40% (in dollar volume) since 1985. It is feasible that newer, more adaptable systems will reverse this trend.

10. Sortation:

Typically, automated sortation equipment is used in conjunction with conveyors. Products must be sorted to appropriate shipment docks as they are picked in the warehouse and conveyorized out. The master carton must have a distinctive code for automatic sortation systems. Optical scanning devices read these codes and automatically route them to the desired area. Most controllers can be programmed to allow a customised flow rate through the system to meet changing needs. The primary advantages of automated sortation are listed below. The first benefit is an apparent reduction in labour, while the second is a significant increase in speed and accuracy. High-speed sortation systems can divert and align packages at rates greater than one per second. Packages are routed to the required location and can be positioned to accommodate unit loading in this method.

11. Robotics:

The robot is a humanoid machine that microprocessors can program to perform one or more tasks. The allure of robotics stems from the capacity to train the robot to serve as an expert system capable of executing decision logic in the handling process. Robotics gained popularity due to their widespread use in the automobile industry in the early 1980s to replace some manual activities. Conversely, a warehouse presents a different type of issue than a conventional manufacturing plant. The goal of warehousing is to accommodate the exact merchandise requirements of a customer’s order. As a result, warehouse specifications can vary significantly from one customer order to the next, resulting in far fewer routine activities than is typical in manufacturing. The principal application of robotics in warehousing is disassembling and reassembling unit loads. During the breakdown process, the robot is programmed to recognise stocking patterns and place products on a conveyor belt in the desired position. The employment of robots to construct unit loads reverses the previous operation. Another potential application of robotics in warehousing occurs in environments where humans struggle to function. Include high-noise locations and extreme temperature conditions, such as cold-storage freezers, as examples. There is significant potential for using robots in a mechanised warehouse to fulfil specific functions. Robotics are an appealing alternative to traditional manual handling methods due to their ability to incorporate artificial intelligence in addition to their speed, dependability, and accuracy.

12. Live Racks:

Racks of Live Animals A storage rack design in which goods flow forward to the desired selection point is a regularly used device in warehouses to decrease manual labour. The usual live rack is built with roller conveyors and is designed for backloading. To finish the installation, the back of the rack is raised higher than the front, causing gravity to flow forward. When unit loads are withdrawn from the front, the other loads in that rack advance automatically. Example: Live racks are a great way to include gravity flow into the design of a material-handling system. Installing a live rack eliminates the need to relocate unit loads with fork trucks. The automatic rotation of product that follows from rear loading a live rack is a significant advantage of this type of storage. Rear loading makes inventory management more accessible, allowing for “first-in, first-out” inventory control. Gravity flow racks have a wide range of applications. For example, such racks are used by bakery makers to “stage,” or store and position fresh biscuits or bread on individual pallet loads before distribution. Flow-rack staging is also commonly used in JIT systems for automotive seats.

10.3.3 Automated Material Handling 

For decades, the concept of automated handling has been rich in potential but deficient in execution. Initially, automated handling initiatives focused on order selection systems at the master carton level. The emphasis has recently shifted to automated high-rise storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). Each is explored in turn following a quick review of automated handling concepts.

Automation’s Potential

The allure of automation is that it replaces capital investment in equipment with labour in mechanised handling systems. Aside from requiring less direct labour, an automated method is faster and more accurate. Its drawbacks include the high level of capital investment required and the development and application complexity.

Most automated systems have been custom-designed and built for each application. The six previously mentioned rules for selecting mechanised handling systems do not apply to computerised systems.

Example: Storage equipment is an essential aspect of an automated system’s handling capability and can account for up to 50% of the overall expenditure.

In an automated handling application, the deadweight-to-payload ratio is unimportant. Although computers are vital in all handling systems, they are especially critical in computerised systems. The computer is used to interface the warehouse with the rest of the logistical system and to program the automated selection equipment. In automated handling, the warehouse control system is radically different. The expensive cost of minicomputers was one reason that slowed the development of computerised systems. Microprocessor breakthroughs have removed this hurdle.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1. Provide a definition of Packaging and its significance in product management and distribution.
2. Discuss the pivotal role of packaging in product marketing, considering its impact on consumer perception, brand recognition, and product protection.
3. Highlight the key factors influencing the selection of packaging materials, including product characteristics, transportation requirements, environmental considerations, and cost-effectiveness.
4. Explore the various types of packaging commonly used in logistics and product packaging, such as primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging.
5. Explain the three main packaging types that incorporate paperboard and plastic materials, emphasizing their advantages and applications.
6. Discuss the activities involved in handling requirements for packaging, including storage, loading, unloading, and transportation.
7. Explain the different types of handling equipment utilized in material handling operations, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors, and cranes.
8. Describe automated material handling systems and their role in enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in warehouse and distribution centre operations.
9. Provide a brief overview of Robotics in material handling and logistics, highlighting their applications, benefits, and advancements in automation technology.
10. Define Sortation and its role in order fulfilment and distribution processes, focusing on the methods and technologies used to sort and route items efficiently.