NCET Business Tips: Stepping into the future of material handling and e-order innovation

Tourism and mining are two of the many economic engines driving Nevada’s growth. It’s no secret that Reno has become a highly desirable location for logistics and warehousing operations.

With the number of large warehouses and distribution facilities built in Reno over the past few years, we have entered a new phase of the business. Operational efficiency is needed and required more than ever to drive throughput for distribution and e-commerce businesses.

One of the companies that answered the call is NPSG Global, a leader in the installation, commissioning, manufacturing and contract assembly of material handling equipment. Although NPSG Global is headquartered in Georgia, its metal fabrication and contract assembly facility is located here in Reno.

The NPSG Global story began in 2012. Tad Sely and Eric Obrokta identified an underserved need to help warehousing, distribution, and e-commerce operators achieve critical scale through safe and rapid hardware deployment. NPSG Global was created to meet that need.

Today, NPSG Global is one of the world’s largest installation, design and material handling consulting companies, with more than 2,500 employees in North America, Europe and Australia/Southeast Asia. These employees are deployed to more than 100 locations simultaneously each year. While installation services have been a staple since the beginning, NPSG Global now also offers complete system commissioning, metal fabrication, contract manufacturing services and material handling engineering solutions.

To further break down what NPSG Global brings to the game, think of NPSG as a company that transforms a warehouse from an empty shell to a world-class e-fulfillment center in just three months. This is efficiency.

This is all well and good, but if there are no hard benefits to the client’s business, NPSG Global’s growth will eventually slow down. It didn’t for the following reasons:

• Expertise and experience: NPSG uses best practices and the latest technologies. NPSG has a proven track record to prove this.

• Comprehensive Services: NPSG is a complete solution from initial planning and design to installation and commissioning. There is no need to coordinate and juggle multiple suppliers.

• Quality and reliability: Rigorous standards are maintained. Downtime is minimized.

• Cost-effectiveness. Bundled services can result in significant savings for customers.

• Scalability and flexibility: NPSG Global designs systems with scalability in mind. Solutions can be modified or upgraded as needed.

• Safety and Compliance: All installations meet local and national safety standards and regulations, reducing legal risk and promoting a safe work environment.

Successes?

There are many, although specific companies cannot be named in this article. Successes experienced by NPSG customers include optimized operations, increased efficiency, and improved accuracy, as well as faster time to market due to faster setup and competitive advantage. Complementing these successes are improved on-time delivery by NPSG customers, which leads to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

No company is immune to challenges. While NPSG Global is a leader in comprehensive material design, installation, fabrication and contract assembly, the company faces certain challenges.

• Labor shortages: Finding skilled labor for installation and commissioning tasks is difficult.

• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating local regulations and codes regarding construction, safety and environmental standards can be complex and time-consuming.

• Supply chain disruptions: As consumers, we have all experienced the negative impact of disruptions in the global supply chain. These disruptions, in turn, lead to delays, shortages and increased costs that impact project timelines and budgets.

• Cultural and language barriers: Working in different countries often involves overcoming cultural differences and language barriers, which affects communication and cooperation.

NPSG Global overcomes these challenges in many ways. Investments in training programs, internships and partnerships with technical schools help NPSG maintain a skilled workforce. NPSG compliance officers stay up to date with local laws and regulations. NPSG employs a diversified supply chain strategy that includes multiple suppliers and alternative sourcing options. The company employs local experts to fill gaps and provide employees with training in cultural sensitivity and language skills.

Most importantly, NPSG invests in the latest technologies such as automation and robotics to increase efficiency and throughput and reduce reliance on labor. As pressure increases to adopt sustainable practices and reduce environmental impact, NPSG is adopting green building practices, energy-efficient systems and waste recycling strategies.

Promoting a customer-centric approach is what NPSG Global is all about. Their growth and global success over the last few years is a function of offering flexible and scalable solutions tailored to customer needs.

Reno distribution facilities and other NPSG customers around the world benefit from the company’s innovative next-generation material handling and electronic order fulfillment solutions.

You have the opportunity to learn more about NPSG Global at the NCET Tech conference on Wednesday, July 10.

Register in advance for the NPSG Global presentation, which will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and for networking meetings from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the visit:

• Learn how NPSG adapts production to small and large production runs.

• Learn how NPSG can rapidly prototype from concept sketches and rough sketches.

• Watch the BLM 8.2 pipe laser at work using its 20-foot rod diameter.

• See robotic welding stations.

• Tour of powder coating booths featuring 6 Gema spray systems, a 30′ x 15′ bake and cure oven, and a 30′ sand blast booth.

So don’t be late. Register now by visiting ncet.org.

NCET is a member-supported, not-for-profit organization that organizes educational and networking events to help people discover business and technology.

Bill Leonard is NCET’s Vice President of Communications and a writer of opinion pieces, white papers, and research-based case studies for industry leaders and consultants looking to increase their authority. Connect with Bill from Ghostwriting Ink on LinkedIn. NCET hosts educational and networking events that help people learn about business and technology.