Inviscid Consulting

Here's Steve Hopper's latest article, just published in the current issue of 𝘗𝘈𝘙𝘊𝘌𝘓 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 magazine.

At Inviscid, one problem we consistently see in warehouses and DCs is that company leadership and management blame high labor costs and service issues on the workforce, when the real problem is often the lack of an effective system that defines good work, measures it fairly and objectively, coaches workers consistently, and creates a performance culture.

Poor labor performance is usually more of a management problem than a labor problem. In this article, Steve outlines six practical ways to move from firefighting to real performance improvement.

https://issuu.com/rbpublishing/docs/parcel_march_april_2026/26

Parcel March/April 2026 Parcel March/April 2026

A high-performance warehouse layout isn’t born from a sketch. It’s born from due diligence.

A SWAG won’t cut it. And forget Zoltar and your Magic 8-Ball.

In the latest issue of 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒁𝒐𝒏𝒆, we explain why data analysis, planning parameters, functional area sizing, and optimized material flows should drive your layout long before anyone starts drawing boxes on paper.

In other words, warehouse layout is a numbers game, not a sketching game.

https://www.inviscidconsulting.com/post/do-the-math-before-you-do-the-drawing-how-high-performance-warehouse-layouts-are-born

Inviscid Consulting is pleased to share that Steve Hopper has been named to 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 & 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦's 2026 Pros to Know – Leaders in Excellence list.

This recognition highlights supply chain leaders who are helping organizations navigate disruption, improve operations, and create meaningful business results.

At Inviscid Consulting, we help clients strengthen supply chain performance through practical, experience-based consulting in warehousing, fulfillment, distribution, and logistics operations. This recognition reflects the trust our clients place in us and the collaborative work we have been fortunate to do alongside outstanding teams and business partners.

We appreciate 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 & 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 for the recognition.

Too many warehouse improvement projects go sideways for one simple reason: teams start shopping for solutions before they clearly define the problem and the business requirements.

That's backwards.

In this article, we share why being requirements-driven (rather than solutions-driven) leads to better decisions, lower risk, and often more practical, cost-effective outcomes.

If this is a challenge in your operation, we’d love to know.

It’s the Requirements, Stupid: Why So Many Warehouse Improvement Projects Go Sideways Too often, projects in warehouses and DCs go sideways because teams start by shopping for solutions instead of defining the problem. Whether it’s automation, software, equipment, or a 3PL, the right approach is always the same: clearly define the problem and the business requirements first, and th...

Most warehouses don’t “break.” They just quietly bleed.

Costs creep up. Cycle times stretch. Accuracy slips. Returns pile up. And then one day, someone in a cushy corporate office asks, “How the heck did we not see this coming?”

We published a quick piece on why a vendor-neutral “warehouse physical” (operations assessment) is one of the simplest ways to find hidden leaks and build a practical plan to improve costs, speed, accuracy, and capacity.

No stool sample required. 😄

You Need Physical Exams—and So Does Your Warehouse Most warehouses don’t “break.” They just quietly bleed. Costs creep up. Cycle times stretch. Accuracy slips. Returns pile up. And then one day, someone in a cushy corporate office asks, “How the heck did we not see this coming?” A thorough operations assessment is the warehouse equivalent ...

Your warehouse or DC is a lot like your kitchen: the reason your labor productivity is lagging might be the same reason that dinner would take forever if you kept your spatulas in your bedroom closet.

Quite often, warehouses don’t need dramatic investments to improve productivity. Done right, simple steps can pay big dividends.

Is your spice rack organized better than your warehouse? In our latest blog post, Chris Barnes discusses the 7 Deadly Sins of Slotting. He shares a simple self-test, explains "sweet slotting," and offers a practical action plan.

Don't miss it.

https://www.inviscidconsulting.com/post/the-sweet-slot-what-your-kitchen-can-teach-you-about-warehouse-productivity

The Sweet Slot: What Your Kitchen Can Teach You About Warehouse Productivity Your warehouse probably leaks productivity for the same reason your dinner would take forever if you kept your spoons in your garage: stuff isn’t where it should be. This issue explains “sweet slotting” (putting fast movers in the easiest-to-pick locations); why it’s usually one of the lowes...

Automation in warehouses and DCs can be powerful. But it can also be a very expensive distraction.

Too often, we see companies chase the "shiny object" without first asking the hard questions about their processes and their readiness.

In this post, our Founder and Principal, Steve Hopper, shares a sensible, experience-based approach to deciding if, when, and how warehouse automation actually makes sense. And when it doesn’t.

If you’re feeling the pressure to automate (or if you're getting pressure from automation vendors), then this article is worth a few minutes of your time.

https://www.inviscidconsulting.com/post/the-shiny-object-trap-a-sensible-approach-to-adopting-warehouse-automation

Quick question: What’s the biggest warehouse automation “myth” you’ve been hearing?



https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stevehopper_warehousing-warehouse-fulfillment-activity-7414359239265218561-y6_6

#warehousing #warehouse #fulfillment #distribution #logistics #supplychain #automation #materialhandling #ai | Stephen (Steve) T. Hopper, P.E. | 17 comments Automation in warehouses and DCs can be powerful. But it can also be a very expensive distraction. Too often, we see companies chase the "shiny object" without first asking the hard questions about their processes and their readiness. In this post, I share a sensible, experience-based approach to de...

Happy New Year from all of us at Inviscid Consulting. We’re looking forward to helping our clients drive down operating costs and boost service levels in 2026!

Do you think you know where the economy is headed? Prove it! You could win a $200 Amazon gift card from Inviscid.

We’re having a contest to predict inflation in 2026. It takes 15 seconds to enter.

So, pull out that crystal ball, and enter your prediction. Let's see how your guess stacks up against the rest of the prognosticators!

For bragging rights, we’ll share the results and award the prize at the end of the year. And there will be quarterly updates and prizes along the way, too.

Here's the link to enter:

https://www.inviscidconsulting.com/industry-predictions-survey

Industry Predictions Survey | Inviscid Consulting The winner will be determined based on the non-adjusted Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the 12 months ending December 2026, as published in the official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics release. The decision of Inviscid Consulting, LLC, is final.

What can Santa teach us about highly effective warehousing and distribution?

More than you might think.

We had some fun when Inviscid Man interviewed Santa about his North Pole DC operations. Beneath the Holiday theme, we took a playful but practical look at how Santa consistently handles his "big day" every year. After all, he doesn't want to disappoint his customers (good boys and girls) with late or inaccurate deliveries!

Behind the twinkling lights and sleigh bells are real industrial engineering fundamentals that apply to any warehouse, DC, or fulfillment center. The principles and philosophies Santa relies on are what separate high-performing operations from the underperformers.

If your warehouse or DC operation struggles during peak periods—or even average days—take a tip or two from Santa.

https://www.inviscidconsulting.com/post/our-interview-with-santa-how-the-north-pole-dc-sleighs-peak-season

What’s the biggest challenge in your warehousing and distribution operation?

Our Interview with Santa: How the North Pole DC Sleighs Peak Season Inviscid Man recently sat down at the North Pole with everybody’s favorite jolly old elf, Santa Claus, to talk about something even more mysterious than how he fits down chimneys: how the North Pole DC manages to have a perfect peak season, year after year.