In this Retail Technology Spotlight series, Chris Walton sits down with Julian Sellan, Senior Supply Chain Engineer at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, and Nick Cianfarani, Senior Account Manager at Dematic, to explore one of the biggest questions facing supply chain leaders today: How do you decide when it's time to upgrade your logistics network and when is it smarter to start over? Through the lens of Southern Glazer's ongoing network transformation, Julian and Nick break down what goes into evaluating aging facilities, consolidating distribution centers, and designing an operation that can meet today's demand without becoming obsolete tomorrow.

From modular pick modules and miles of conveyor to warehouse software that acts as the "brain" behind the operation, the conversation explores what it takes to build flexibility into a logistics network from day one. Julian and Nick also dig into the often overlooked human side of automation, including why standardization, employee buy-in, knowledge transfer, and "hypercare" can make or break a successful go-live. And the results are already beginning to show, with Southern Glazer's Louisiana operation doubling throughput and reducing delivery frequency from five days a week to four.

From deciding between retrofit and greenfield facilities to designing warehouses that can evolve alongside changing consumer demand, this episode offers a practical look inside what it really takes to modernize a logistics network without designing yourself into the next problem.

Key Topics Covered:

• 00:03:50 - Why Southern Glazer's began reevaluating its logistics network
• 00:05:46 - How to decide between upgrading an existing facility or building new
• 00:09:18 - Why consolidation can reduce complexity and unlock new efficiencies
• 00:11:09 - How to right-size a facility for today's demand and tomorrow's growth
• 00:14:14 - Inside the modular automation system designed for Southern Glazer's
• 00:19:57 - Why warehouse software is the "brain" behind automation
• 00:24:13 - Why software alignment needs to happen before the hardware goes in
• 00:25:18 - How standardization makes new facility rollouts easier over time
• 00:27:54 - The biggest watch-outs when designing and launching an automated facility
• 00:33:53 - Why "hypercare" and employee buy-in are critical to a successful go-live
• 00:35:35 - The results Southern Glazer's is already seeing from its new network
• 00:37:18 - How continuous partnership helps supply chain teams prepare for what's next

Want to learn more about Southern Glazer's automation journey? Check out these additional resources:

• Scalable Beverage Distribution: How Southern Glazer's Modernized Fulfillment with Dematic
• System Report: Perfecting the Automation Mix at Southern Glazer's, Modern Materials Handling

Over 8 years and nearly 200 episodes, the Retail Technology Spotlight Series has featured some of the biggest names and boldest thinkers in retail. Explore the full archive here: https://omnitalk.blog/category/spotlight-series-podcast/

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