Resources to help keep your world moving

For decades, industries have been perfecting “just-in-time” inventory management models, ordering products and materials on an as-needed basis to prevent unsold stock. On average, United States companies reduced their inventories by two percent every year from 1981 to 2000, according to a study in Management Science. By keeping inventories as lean as possible, businesses could reduce their warehousing presence and significantly cut costs. Then, COVID-19 upended the global supply chain, leaving corporations with massive stockouts, heightened consumer demand and no safety nets. Instead of waiting for the supply chain to straighten out, most companies are increasing their buffer inventories to minimize the effects of ongoing delays on their buying cycles. Nearly 60 percent of companies told McKinsey they had adopted new supply-chain risk management practices over the past year. The new approach is called the “just-in-case” model, a balance between the conventional just-in-time system and the panicked stockpile mentality. Here’s...

The senior living industry is gearing up for explosive growth. In the fourth quarter of 2021, continuing care retirement communities reached 85.7 percent occupancy, according to Ziegler Investment Banking. As the United States population ages, the sector has the potential to reach even higher occupancy rates in the next decade. The NAIOP projected that the 75-and-older age group in the U.S. will increase by 76 percent from 2020 to 2035, creating new demand for senior living. For some senior living communities, renovating or rehabilitating the facilities is critical to preparing for this growth. Roughly 58 percent of senior living communities are more than 20 years old, according to the National Investment Center. Renovations allow property managers to upgrade their facilities, provide better support for current residents, attract new members and signal a change in ownership or services. Here are seven ways to prepare for a successful renovation. Gather feedback from...

Key Takeaways Retail storage solutions help retailers manage inventory more efficiently and reduce operational costs Outsourcing to a 3PL provides flexible storage capacity during seasonal or unexpected demand shifts Armstrong offers advanced security measures to protect inventory and reduce risk A national 3PL network helps minimize delays and improve fulfillment speed Partnering with Armstrong strengthens customer satisfaction and frees retailers to focus on growth Delays at factories, shipping yards and ports are contributing to rising prices and product shortages, forcing the retail industry to get creative to keep up with orders. Brick-and-mortar and e-commerce retailers have fought to maintain some semblance of normalcy in the supply chain by expanding their warehousing footprints. However, today’s tight industrial market makes building, buying and leasing new warehousing space expensive, inefficient and unproductive. Instead, retailers are increasingly turning to third-party logistics providers (3PL) to deliver short- and long-term storage solutions that reduce overhead costs...

Over the past decade, Katy has quietly been moving up the list of Texas’ best places to live.  ABC13 reported that Katy’s population jumped more than 50 percent from 2010 to 2013,  making it one of the Lone Star State’s fastest-growing suburbs. Families have a lot to love about Katy: the ample housing options, high-achieving public schools, accessible entertainment and beautiful weather. Here are seven reasons why relocating to Katy might be the right choice for your family: Hottest Housing Market Katy has some of the most sought-after communities in the state and the country. Recent data from Opendoor found that the 77494 zip code in Katy is currently the third most popular neighborhood in the United States. Though the local market is no doubt competitive, buyers will quickly fall in love with Katy’s lovely homes, picturesque communities and friendly residents. Sunny Skies Year-Round According to Stacker, Florida may have...

With a low cost of living, close communities and sunny skies in every season, Houston is one of the country’s top relocation destinations. Not to mention its impressive presence in the aerospace, technology and medical industries, which consistently draws graduates from some of the country’s most esteemed universities. If you’re considering a move to Houston, here are three neighborhoods in the Downtown vicinity you should consider for the area’s best amenities and sophisticated living. River Oaks Commonly considered Houston’s most “regal” neighborhood, River Oaks is the definition of luxury. River Oaks was the first master-planned community in the Houston area and sits at an ideal location within the 610 Loop. If you want to “see and be seen,” River Oaks is the place to be. It offers many first-class dining experiences and nightlife throughout a vast collection of hot and new restaurants and several prominent social clubs, including the Briar...

Houston, Texas — March 1, 2022 ― Armstrong Commercial Services has finished construction on a new 116,000 square-foot warehouse facility on Gulf Bank Road. The move grows the Memphis-based company’s Gulf-Coast presence by more than 25,000 square feet. As the largest asset-based provider of commercial services in the United States, Armstrong has experienced first-hand Houston’s rapid increase in industrial activity over the past decade. This expansion will allow Armstrong to minimize supply-chain disruptions for clients across the West and Midwest while investing in Houston’s future as a national transportation hub. The new facility is a designated pick-and-pack location, complete with: 150,000 square feet of racked space for pallets and loose assets 30 dock doors, two being drive-up 360-degree security with 40 cameras Driver lounge with restrooms and showers Sliding-gate entrance with code-operated, swing-gate exit State-of-the-art tracking technology for incoming and outgoing assets After the port’s record-breaking year in 2021, Houston...

For decades, Armstrong has been seamlessly moving companies to new locations across the city and the country. But Armstrong recently had the opportunity to experience a move from the perspective of a client. Driven by a growing client base and a changing supply chain, Armstrong – Houston began the process of transitioning into a larger facility that better meets customer needs. As Armstrong faced the unique opportunity to be its own client, the team was appreciative of the fresh perspective — one which makes continuous innovation possible — and reinforced commitment to easing the loads of partners. Here are four takeaways from navigating this relocation process internally. 1. While planning your move far in advance is ideal, sometimes your business has other plans. Though it is recommended that you prepare for your commercial relocations as soon as possible, growing businesses often have urgent needs and tight timelines. Armstrong – Houston...

Third-party logistics providers (3PL) drive growth in many of the country’s top industries. Companies turn to logistics partners when they are preparing to scale their operations. Instead of managing their new warehousing and fulfillment needs in-house, they outsource some or all of their logistics to a 3PL. A successful 3PL partnership gives companies teams of experts, networks of assets and decades of experience, all at their disposal. Though a wide range of businesses depends on 3PL services, outsourcing warehousing and logistics is increasingly necessary in three industries. 1. Manufacturing Downtime is deadly in the manufacturing industry. Without all of the necessary personnel and parts, the whole supply chain can quickly fall apart, causing detrimental losses in revenue and retention. Third-party partners keep production on schedule and budget by ensuring materials and product get from their points of origin to their final destinations. With nationwide footprints and expansive asset-networks, logistics providers...

As working arrangements became more flexible in the wake of COVID-19, so did apartment living. With the new freedom to clock into work from anywhere in the country, people wanted a way to experience new locations without being tied down by extended leases, fees or application processes. Landing provides a modern solution for this emerging lifestyle. With an annual subscription, Landing members gain access to a national network of fully-furnished apartments that they can rent in minutes without long-term commitments. During the pandemic, the demand for Landing’s model exploded. In May 2020, its new-member enrollment increased 210 percent month over month, according to Inman. In order to keep up with the rapid growth, Landing needed a third-party logistics provider (3PL) to help receive, store, deliver and install the furnishings for every booked apartment. Armstrong – Houston had the assets and expertise to help Landing successfully scale. Armstrong’s Role When a...

When COVID-19 struck, e-commerce sales exploded. As people switched from real to virtual shopping carts, companies of all sizes suddenly found themselves struggling to keep up with the new demand. The pandemic accelerated the growth of e-commerce by four to six years, according to an Adobe report. Even companies with already-established warehouses.had to pivot to accommodate the surge in online sales. Luckily, there’s a simple solution for companies that need to efficiently scale their operations. They can outsource their warehousing and distribution. An Armstrong & Associates report found that 90 percent of domestic Fortune 500 companies outsource part of their supply chain to third-party logistics providers. In Texas, industries ranging from apparel to health and more count on third-party partners to handle the logistics of their warehousing and distribution. Outsourcing your warehousing and distribution can be your secret weapon. Here are eight reasons why you should partner with a third-party...