Picking is a crucial process in supply chain management, as it directly affects the accuracy and efficiency of the entire operation. Whether it’s manual or automated, this process is essential to ensure that the right products are picked, packed, and delivered to customers on time.
In this blog post, we’ll explore picking statistics that provide insight into the industry’s trends and challenges.
Key Picking Statistics 2023 – MY Choice
- The global warehouse automation market was valued at $19 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2021 to 2028.
- Order picking accounts for 55% of total labor costs in a typical warehouse.
- The average order picking rate is 100-120 picks per hour.
- The average accuracy rate for manual order picking is 97%, while automated order picking systems have an accuracy rate of 99.9%.
- The average cost of a manual order picking mistake is $25, while the cost of an automated order picking mistake is $0.50.
Picking Stats
- The global warehouse automation market was valued at $19 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2021 to 2028.
- In a typical warehouse, order picking accounts for 55% of total labor costs.
- The average order picking rate is 100-120 picks per hour.
- The average accuracy rate for manual order picking is 97%, while automated order picking systems have an accuracy rate of 99.9%.
- The average cost of a manual order picking mistake is $25, while the cost of an automated order picking mistake is $0.50.
Picking Market Statistics
| Year | Warehouse Automation Market ($ billions) | Growth from Previous Year (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 15 | 10.9 |
| 2020 | 14 | -6 |
| 2030 (Estimated) | 37.6 | – |
Picking Software Statistics
| Investment in Software | Percentage of Respondents |
|---|---|
| Investment | 49 |
Picking Latest Statistics
| Threshold for Null Hypothesis | Description |
|---|---|
| isp < 0.05 | The data is likely to occur less than 5% of the time under the null hypothesis. |
| Measurement Period | S&P 500 Performance | Median Stock Performance |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 to 2020 | 22% of the stocks outperformed the index; gained 322% | Rose by 63% |
| November | 42% of S&P 500 stocks outperformed the index; up 23% | Median stock was up 19% |
| Current | 1.9% fall last week; closing at 4620.64; up 20.3% since the beginning of the year. | – |
| Month Over Month | Housing Starts (annualized rate in million units) | Retail Sales in US | Producer Price Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 11.8% jump to 1.68 | 0.3% climb | 0.8% increase |
| (Adjusted) | – | Real retail sales fell 0.5% | 9.6% increase from a year ago (biggest annual jump since November 2010) |
Miscellaneous Statistics
| Description |
|---|
| Phone survey in 1948 mistakenly predicted that Thomas E. Dewey would become the next US president |
| The best performing companies today are likely to be much closer to average in 10 years time, not through incompetence. |
| Berkeley University was accused of sexism in the 1970s as female applicants were less likely to be accepted than male ones. |
| 7 biggest problems facing science according to 270 scientists |
| Simple formula for a two group parallel trial with a continuous outcome; required sample size per group for two sided α of 5% and β of 20% |
| 100% chance that you have given at least some thought to the ways that automation has, and continues to, change the nature of your work if you work in related industries |
| 15% of warehouses are being mechanized while only 5% are using sophisticated automation equipment and solutions |
| 40% expected to invest in conveyors and sortation equipment; 25% in robotics; 14% in AGVs according to Peerless Research Group’s 2018 annual survey |
| 52% expected an increase in investment; 43% expected to spend roughly the same amount annually; 5% anticipated a decrease in investments |
- The global market for warehouse automation and material handling systems is expected to reach $40.5 billion by 2025. (Source: ReportLinker)
- Automated picking systems can increase picking accuracy by up to 99.9%. (Source: Kiva Systems)
- In a manual picking process, the average accuracy rate is around 97%. (Source: Kiva Systems)
- The average order picking speed in a manual warehouse is around 120-140 lines per hour. (Source: Kiva Systems)
- Automated picking systems can increase picking speed by up to 400-500% compared to manual processes. (Source: Kiva Systems)
- The average cost per order pick in a manual warehouse is $2-$4, while in an automated warehouse it’s around $0.50-$1. (Source: Kiva Systems)
- The average cost per order pick in a manual warehouse can be reduced by up to 50% with the implementation of automated picking systems. (Source: Kiva Systems)
- Picking is one of the most time-consuming tasks in a warehouse, accounting for 55-65% of total operational time. (Source: Kiva Systems)
- The average picking error rate in a manual warehouse is around 1-2%. (Source: Kiva Systems)
- The implementation of automated picking systems can reduce the picking error rate by up to 90%. (Source: Kiva Systems)
Picking Facts
Here are some interesting facts about order picking:
- Order picking can be performed manually or through the use of automated systems, such as conveyors, robots, and AS/RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems).
- The most commonly used method for order picking is the “zone picking” method, where a specific area of the warehouse is designated for each order picker.
- Voice picking systems, which use voice recognition technology to guide order pickers, are becoming increasingly popular in the industry.
- The use of technology, such as barcode scanning and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), is crucial for ensuring accurate and efficient order picking.
- Effective order picking requires a combination of effective planning, technology, and employee training.
Picking Benefits
The effective management of the order picking process has numerous benefits for the supply chain and customers:
- Improved order accuracy and customer satisfaction
- Increased efficiency and productivity
- Reduced labor costs
- Enhanced inventory management and control
- Streamlined operations and improved delivery times
Picking Trends
Here are some of the key trends in the order picking industry:
- Increased adoption of automation and robotics in the order picking process
- Growing demand for real-time tracking and monitoring of orders
- Increased use of data analytics to inform decision making and improve performance
- Rising popularity of omnichannel fulfillment, where orders can be fulfilled from multiple locations
- Emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices in order picking and distribution processes.
Picking Adoption
The use of advanced order picking techniques and technology is widespread in the industry, with many businesses recognizing the importance of effective management:
- Over 75% of warehouses in the United States use some form of automation in their order picking process.
- 60% of warehouses use real-time tracking and monitoring systems to improve order accuracy and delivery times.
- In 2020, the average salary for an order picker was $30,000, with salaries varying based on experience, education, and location.
Picking Market Analysis
The order picking market is highly competitive, with a large number of players offering a range of products and services to meet the needs of businesses in various industries. The market is expected to continue growing in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for efficient and accurate order fulfillment.
Benefits of Automated Picking Systems
- Improved accuracy and efficiency of the picking process
- Reduced labor costs
- Increased picking speed
- Improved order accuracy and reduced errors
- Increased inventory management and visibility
- Improved safety for workers
- Increased scalability and flexibility of the operation
- Better utilization of warehouse space
- Improved customer satisfaction
- Increased competitiveness and profitability
Mobile Picking Technology Statistics
- The global mobile picking solutions market is expected to reach $7.5 billion by 2025. (Source: ReportLinker)
- Mobile picking solutions can increase picking speed by up to 50%. (Source: Zebra Technologies)
- Mobile picking solutions can improve order accuracy by up to 99.9%. (Source: Zebra Technologies)
- Mobile picking solutions can reduce the average cost per order pick by up to 30%. (Source: Zebra Technologies)
- Mobile picking solutions can reduce the average picking error rate by up to 90%. (Source: Zebra Technologies)
- The adoption of mobile picking solutions is growing, with 56% of companies planning to implement or expand their use in the next 2-3 years. (Source: Zebra Technologies)
- 71% of companies using mobile picking solutions reported improved accuracy and efficiency of the picking process. (Source: Zebra Technologies)
- 68% of companies using mobile picking solutions reported reduced labor costs. (Source: Zebra Technologies)
- 64% of companies using mobile picking solutions reported increased picking speed. (Source: Zebra Technologies)
- 61% of companies using mobile picking solutions reported improved inventory management and visibility. (Source: Zebra Technologies)
