Pick and Pack is the foundational operational process within a fulfillment center. It occurs after an order is received and before it is shipped. While it may sound basic, the efficiency and accuracy of your “pick and pack” operation directly determine your profit margins and customer satisfaction levels.
The Two-Step Process:
1. Picking: Once an order is generated, a warehouse worker (the picker) receives a “pick list.” This list tells them exactly which SKUs to pull and where they are located in the warehouse bins. Advanced 3PLs use “zone picking” or “wave picking” to minimize the picker’s travel time.
2. Packing: The picked items are brought to a packing station. Here, the packer selects the right box size to minimize “dimensional weight” shipping costs, adds dunnage (protection like bubble wrap), and includes any custom marketing inserts or branded packaging. Finally, the shipping label is applied.
Accuracy is Everything:
A mistake in the pick and pack process (sending the wrong color, size, or item) is incredibly costly. It leads to expensive returns, shipping costs for the replacement item, and a frustrated customer.
Tech-Enabled Fulfillment:
At Lateral Fulfillment, we use barcode scanning and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) to ensure 99.9% accuracy. Every item is scanned when it’s picked and again when it’s packed. This rigorous process eliminates human error and provides you with a scalable logistics solution. For cross-border e-commerce, where returns can be more complex, getting the pick and pack right the first time is not just a goal—it’s a necessity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Accuracy is non-negotiable. Our tech-enabled pick and pack process guarantees that the right order reaches the right customer, every single time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n