Amazon Fulfillment Center Video Tour

Summary

This Amazon Fulfillment Center tour takes viewers behind the scenes of the company's high-tech operations, from receiving and stowing products to picking, packing, and shipping orders. The video showcases how Amazon combines advanced robotics, cutting-edge technology, and efficient human operations to ensure fast, safe deliveries. Guided by various team members, the tour covers processes at different facilities, including robotics in Dunstable and the packing and shipping systems at various fulfillment centers. The video emphasizes Amazon's continuous innovations aimed at improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Amazon Fulfillment Centers (FCs) are vast operations, with one example being 750,000 square feet—equivalent to 10 football fields.
• 😀 Each fulfillment center is named after the nearest international airport. For example, the center in Rugeley is called BHX1, named after Birmingham Airport.
• 😀 The fulfillment process begins with receiving items, where they are scanned, placed into black totes, and sent through conveyors to different areas.
• 😀 Stowing items involves scanning their barcodes, checking for damages, and placing them onto designated shelves. The system tracks their exact location.
• 😀 Amazon uses a random stow method where popular items are spread across various levels and locations to optimize storage space.
• 😀 Amazon Robotics play a significant role in the fulfillment process by transporting shelves to associates, allowing for more efficient and precise item retrieval.
• 😀 The robots in the fulfillment center are equipped with lifting devices to bring shelves to workstations, where associates scan and place items.
• 😀 Orders placed by customers trigger the outbound process, where robots pick up items and bring them to pickers, who then pack the products for shipping.
• 😀 Items ordered by multiple customers are picked by different associates and packed together into containers for efficiency.
• 😀 The packing process involves associates scanning items, selecting the right-sized box, and using precise packing methods to minimize waste.
• 😀 SLAM (Scan, Label, Apply, Manifest) is a key step in the shipping process where parcels are scanned, labeled, and sorted before being sent out for delivery.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Amazon Fulfillment Center (FC) tour?

The purpose of the tour is to showcase the operations and technology used at Amazon's Fulfillment Centers, explaining how products are received, stored, picked, packed, and shipped to customers.

What is the size of the building in Rugeley, and how is it compared?

The building in Rugeley is 750,000 square feet, which is equivalent to 10 football pitches.

Why are Amazon Fulfillment Centers named after international airports?

Amazon names its fulfillment centers after the nearest international airport to the building to help identify locations easily.

What happens in the 'Receive' area of the Fulfillment Center?

In the 'Receive' area, items are brought in, scanned, and placed into black totes before being moved further into the center for storage and sorting.

How is the stowing process handled in Amazon's Fulfillment Centers?

During stowing, items are scanned for damage, placed onto shelves, and the shelf location is recorded in the system, allowing easy tracking and retrieval.

What is the 'random stow' method and how does it work?

The 'random stow' method involves placing products in any available space on the shelves, ensuring that the most popular items are spread across different levels rather than grouped in one place.

How do Amazon's robots contribute to the Fulfillment Center operations?

Amazon's robots bring yellow shelves to working stations, allowing associates to pick and stow items more efficiently. They are a crucial part of automating the workflow in the Fulfillment Center.

What is the role of the 'palletizer' in Amazon's Fulfillment Centers?

The palletizer is a robotic arm used to move heavy totes quickly and safely, improving efficiency and safety during the fulfillment process.

How does the picking process work in the Fulfillment Center?

In the picking process, robots bring pods with products to associates, who then scan and select the correct items to fill customer orders. Items from different customers may be picked by multiple associates.

What happens during the 'Pack' stage in the Fulfillment Center?

In the Pack stage, items are placed into boxes based on system instructions. The size of the box is determined, and no packaging materials are wasted, as the tape is cut to the exact size required.

How does the SLAM process work in Amazon's Fulfillment Centers?

The SLAM process involves scanning the packed boxes, applying shipping labels, and sorting them into large or small categories. This step helps ensure accurate tracking and fast shipment of orders.

What happens after parcels pass through SLAM?

Once the parcels are scanned and labeled, they are sorted and sent to shipping, where they are loaded onto trucks for delivery to customers.

How does Amazon ensure timely and efficient delivery of parcels?

Amazon uses a combination of advanced technologies, robots, and well-coordinated workflows to ensure that parcels are packed, sorted, and shipped efficiently. Parcels are carefully managed through different areas, from packing to shipping, before being loaded onto trucks for delivery.