News

We mentioned in an earlier blog that the Fall season is extra meaningful to an eCommerce fulfillment company. It means that the time has come to prepare for Peak Season. What does Peak Season actually mean? It simply means the busiest season of the year. Peak Season requires some very vital planning and preparation. After more than 20 years of growth and expansion, serving clients as a third-party fulfillment service (3PL), AMS does have more than a little experience in preparing for ‘Peak’.

Planning and Forecasting

When approaching the months of Peak Season the first thing an eCommerce fulfillment company will do is to look back at the previous seasons, analyze the data, and establish some expectations based on the data. What were the order volumes last year and in previous years. Have there been significant changes during the year? Based upon history and changes, and based upon market trends, the first task is to do some forecasting.

Experience puts AMS Fulfillment at an advantage. We know that if we examine the data and forecast the season, as well as engage in preparation and planning with each client, that we, and they, will have a successful Peak Season. Of course, we cannot control disruptions in the supply chain due to events taking place around the world, but we can prepare for the season.

Examining Operations

Common sense tells us to look into our operations to see if there is anything that needs to be handled prior to Peak. Is there anything of concern in the warehouses, anything that may need attention? Is all of the equipment in good condition, are any supplies needed, does anything need to be replaced? How about bottlenecks… any concerns there?

How about the technology systems – the warehouse management system, inventory management and order management technology – will the systems handle a heavier load with ease? Everything must be checked out and if any issues are seen, the problem must be handled immediately and thoroughly.

Optimizing Inventory

Having looked into the data from the past years, and having completed the forecasting, the next step is to look into the clients’ inventory and confer with the clients with regard to the forecast. Is there enough inventory to complete the anticipated sales, including any new products being marketed over the season.

Sufficient inventory is a very vital forecast and quite a lot of thought and research will go into answering it. Thought and planning will also go into which warehouse location is closest to the client’s customers, so that the inventory will be in the right amount in the right location to assure customer satisfaction.

Seasonal Staffing

Decisions will need to be made as to how much seasonal staffing is needed. When Peak Season approaches, the hiring and training must begin. Forecasting data should point toward where there are needs as well as the number of additional associates that must be hired.

Managers will then incorporate and train the new team members in the various positions. It is wise as well to cross-train a number of current associates in order that they can be moved about to handle several different positions if needed. The team that handles returns must be fully staffed and prepared in order to efficiently handle the increased volume in returns as well.

Relationships With Carriers

During Peak Season the carriers (companies that transport the packages) are as busy as the eCommerce fulfillment service. The relationship of the fulfillment service with the carrier is extremely important. The AMS Fulfillment shipping team has excellent relationships with all of the carriers and this only intensifies during Peak.

Communication with the carriers is vital and any changes or requirements that the carriers make must be recognized and respected by shippers. It is vital as well to share the fulfillment forecasts with the carriers so that they will be prepared to meet the demands of the season.

Collaborate With Clients

The most important task, from the beginning of Peak Season forward, is to communicate and collaborate with the fulfillment clients. What do they anticipate for the season? Share with them the forecasting based on history and together the client and the fulfillment service will find the very best avenue into a successful Peak Season with lots of satisfied customers.

Last But Not Least

Monitor the results of your planning from day one. Track the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) throughout the entire Peak Season for future use. The point is to learn about the decisions made and use what is learned in the future. Peak Season is a very significant test of the experience, skill, integrity and commitment of the fulfillment company.

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If you want your Peak Season to be all that it can be, we invite you to partner with amsfulfillment.com where we combine our experience and your ideas to bring to life a partnership that will bring success to your organization, your customers and your brand. We’re the Peak Season partner you’ve been looking for!

When the Fall or Autumn season arrives, for the eCommerce fulfillment service it also means that some very busy days are ahead – and coming soon! The first day of Fall is September 22^nd. Halloween is next month, on the 31^st and of course Thanksgiving follows November 27^th. After that we have a whole lot of holiday celebrating. The celebrations include Kwanzaa, Christmas, Bodhi Day, Hanukkah and New Years Eve.

And… on a spectacular Monday, December 21^st, we have the long-awaited Winter Solstice. What makes this date worthy of all of the celebrations? It’s the time when days begin to get longer until the day and night are equal in length – and the next season begins with another equinox!

According to Google the autumnal equinox will happen at 11:19 a.m. PT/2:19 p.m. ET. What does that mean? We asked the Farmer’s Almanac [LINK] and they explain it well:

“For those in the Northern Hemisphere, when the Sun crosses the equator going from north to south, this marks the autumnal equinox; when it crosses from south to north, this marks the vernal equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the reverse.

“After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights as the Sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. This ends with the winter solstice, after which days start to grow longer once again. 

“The word “equinox” comes from Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, “night.” On the equinox, day and night are roughly equal in length.”

The Harvest Moon

OK, we can say goodbye to our long days and welcome our long nights. The Almanac mentions the Harvest Moon, offering us some trivia surrounding the equinox: “The Harvest Moon is one of only two Moon names that are astronomical terms and aren’t tied to one specific month. Because the full Moon nearest to the equinox is always called the Harvest Moon, either September’s or October’s full Moon can take on the name.

According to the article, the light from the full moon helped farmers extend the hours of harvest into the night, and thence the term Harvest Moon.

More About the Season

When Fall comes around, third-party fulfillment services (3PLs) start making their plans and preparing for the entire holiday season, beginning with Halloween. Orders increase, reaching the apex at Christmas. There must be the proper amount of inventory, and sufficient workforce to provide excellent service to the eCommerce fulfillment clients and their customers.

With client sales rocketing, leadership responsibilities increase as well – our team leaders are preparing for ‘Peak’ in order to assist our teams of associates. AMS is a full-service eCommerce fulfillment service, and our teams handle the many different tasks that come with full-service.

‘Peak’ is where our focus will be as the days become shorter, the temperature gets lower, and the plants go through beautiful changes. We will be making the preparations for a super successful holiday season for our clients. One more thing that adds to our smiles… it’s a lot easier to cool the warehouse.

A ’Clock’ Reminder

Checking the Farmer’s Almanac again we see an important reminder:

“And don’t forget about the end of Daylight-Saving Time, when we “fall” back, setting our clocks back one hour and regaining an hour of precious sleep!

“Plants and trees are slowing down to get ready for the colder season ahead as sunlight decreases. In the garden, asters and chrysanthemums bloom beautifully as orange pumpkins and corn mazes abound.

“Football season is warming up, and so is sweater weather.”

Alright! Let’s close with recognition that… Yes!! It’s football season. From the professional leagues to the high school games… all we can say is… Have Fun! Let the worries go for a few hours and Just Have Fun!

Fall is here… the nights are long… the leaves turn to gold… the clock goes back… the celebrations begin… and we will be getting ready for Peak!!!

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Please feel free to visit amsfulfillment.com and learn more about us. We’ve been doing eCommerce fulfillment for more than twenty years and we are a highly respected third-party fulfillment service (3PL) with many satisfied and successful clients.

What does the World Peace Day have to do with AMS Fulfillment? Does the UN establishment of a day of ceasefire and end of conflict affect an American fulfillment service? Well, truthfully, yes it does. Peace affects international businesses, shipping, commerce, tariffs, blockades… and it affects every one of us as persons. Can we imagine a world at peace for one day? Kudos to the UN for its attempt to give the world that gift!

Coming up on Sunday, September 21, 2025, we celebrate the International Day of Peace. This day we join with the United Nations to promote peace, end conflict, and foster global cooperation.

Promoting Peace

Our first search took us to this information from Google: “World Peace Day is important because it provides a global call to action for strengthening peace, a time for a global ceasefire and non-violence, and a platform for promoting peace through education, public awareness, and addressing key drivers of conflict like inequality, racism, and climate change. It also fosters global solidarity by recognizing our shared responsibility to build inclusive, resilient societies and work toward a future where peace, justice, and equality thrive.”

On this date, September 21, the UN calls for a day of non-violence and a ceasefire across the globe. Countries are encouraged to lay down their weapons for this one day.

From the UN website [LINK] we find out the background: “The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.”

Global Participation

We asked the Internet if the governments of the world had ever cooperated with the UN and given the people of the world a day of peace. This was our answer:

“Yes, the countries of the world have officially cooperated with World Peace Day, also known as the International Day of Peace, since it was established by a unanimous United Nations (UN) resolution in 1981. The observance is a global, shared effort with official participation from UN member states.” 

Moving down the page we read… “Many countries and international bodies, including the European Union, actively participate by promoting the day and reaffirming their commitment to peaceful diplomacy. A 2017 survey by the Culture of Peace News Network found reports of celebrations in 127 countries. 

“While many nations actively cooperate and participate, the effectiveness of the global ceasefire on any given year can be limited by ongoing political tensions and conflicts. The day serves as a symbolic and practical platform for advancing the goal of global peace, backed by official international cooperation.” 

Act Now for Peace

The theme of the day for 2025 is “Act Now for a Peaceful World.” How can we act for a peaceful world?

We recently heard that 94% of the people believe company culture is critical to its success. Does company culture contribute to a peaceful world? The answer is absolutely yes. Returning to the article from the United Nations, we find the following language:

“From peacekeepers on the front lines of conflict, to community members, to students in classrooms around the world, everyone has a role to play. We must speak up against violence, hate, discrimination, and inequality; practice respect; and embrace the diversity of our world.”

The article continues with encouragement to not allow discrimination in the workplace, and it encourages people to purchase from brands that promote sustainability and human rights. This language actually describes the culture of AMS Fulfillment.

As our clients and associates know, AMS does not practice or allow discrimination, we are committed to sustainability, and we highly value human rights. We have clients who choose us not only for top-notch full-service eCommerce fulfillment services, but for being a business with integrity: Integrity in the way we do business, integrity in the way we appreciate and support our associates and integrity in the way we protect the environment.

A Harmonious World

Imagine a day where not one person loses their life or sustains injuries in war. Isn’t that an amazing thought! Now imagine a week, or a month of not one death. Now imagine a harmonious world. We invite our associates, our clients and all readers to join us in that vision – where not one weapon of war is fired.

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Please feel free to visit amsfulfillment.com and learn more about us. For businesses looking for third party fulfillment services, please investigate the many services offered by AMS. We’ve been doing eCommerce fulfillment for more than twenty years and we are highly respected with many satisfied and successful clients.

We’re happy to let our readers know that from September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. At AMS we very much appreciate our Hispanic American associates and we celebrate their contributions to AMS, to the AMS clients and to the AMS culture.

The story behind Hispanic Americans is somewhat complex and very expansive. We asked Google about it and got this answer:

“Hispanic Americans are people in the United States with cultural ties to or who are descendants of Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Central and South America, and Spain itself. The term is an ethnicity, not a race, meaning Hispanic Americans can be of any race but share a common cultural or linguistic background. They represent a diverse population with roots in various parts of the world, with many identifying more closely with their family’s country or region of origin.” 

According to Wikipedia, the Hispanic and Latino population is more than 68 million persons, representing the second-largest group, with the larger group being the non-Hispanic White population.

Who Established the Commemoration

We asked Google who started the month of recognition and celebration, and why the date is from mid-September to mid-October. We got this answer:

“Hispanic Heritage Month was created by U.S. Congressman George E. Brown who introduced the legislation for Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 17, 1968. The observance was later expanded from a week to a full month in 1988 by Congressman Esteban Torres and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.

When looking into it further, we see that September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. September 16^th is the Independence Day for Mexico, September 18^th for Chile and September 21 for Belize.

Okay, that information makes sense and independence is definitely worth celebrating. Our next question is about the terms Hispanic and Latino – is there a difference?

Hispanic or Latino

In our search for an answer, we found some excellent information at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino [LINK].

“What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino? Hispanic and Latino are the two most used terms to describe Americans with Latin American and Caribbean ancestry. You may often see these terms used interchangeably, but different people understand and use these terms differently. The National Museum of the American Latino uses the term “Latino” to describe the diverse residents of the United States with cultural or ancestral ties to Latin America or the Caribbean. For many, the term “Latino” also creates room for acknowledging Black, Indigenous, Asian, and other heritages on equal terms with European ancestry. The term “Hispanic” is used to signal a connection to Spain or the Spanish language.”

How Do We Celebrate?

It makes sense to celebrate the culture with cultural events – we love the food, the music, the dancing, the parades and the people, so celebrating this commemorative month is a natural. Our Hispanic associates have been integral to the success of AMS Fulfillment and we thank and appreciate them.

Let’s enjoy the events in celebration of this month, including the parades and the food fairs! Yes, food fairs offer the best in the kitchen!

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Please feel free to visit amsfulfillment.com and learn more about us. We’ve been doing eCommerce fulfillment for more than twenty years and we are a highly respected third party fulfillment service with many satisfied and successful clients.

September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month. There is nothing more heartbreaking than suicide and for that reason, at AMS we must recognize this national commemoration. We care about our associates, their health, their satisfaction, their mental health and the well-being of their families as well.

If we can do nothing else with this writing, we would like to remove the stigma with regard to mental health. Depression is not uncommon, and perhaps the prevalence of depression can be attributed to the challenges of our world at this time. We understand the impact of stress and anxiety. We need to support each other and stay away from judgement.

Employee Assistance Program

At AMS we offer our associates a very helpful free benefit called the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). We mention it in commemoration of those we love, lost to suicide, and those who find themselves currently dealing with a mental health issue or crisis. The EAP provides help. Let’s begin with a google description of the program.

“Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) provide confidential and free support to employees and their families for personal and work-related issues, including mental health counseling, financial guidance, legal advice, caregiving referrals, and stress management.”

If an AMS associate, or someone in the associate’s family experiences a crisis, counsellors at the EAP will help. Their support is confidential. The issue needing support could be a need to deal with health issues, financial issues, legal issues, issues at the job, or the crisis could be related to the prevention of suicide.

Suicide Prevention

In our desire to properly cover this issue, we turned to some helpful advice from the National Today website [LINK].

“Everyone is affected by suicide, not just the victim. Suicide impacts family and friends long after the loss of a loved one. On average, one person commits suicide every 16.2 minutes. Two-thirds of the people who commit suicide suffer from depression.

“One way to help prevent suicide is to increase access to treatment for depression. However, identifying depression can be difficult. Not all people who suffer from depression show signs. The first step in identifying someone who is suffering from depression and contemplating suicide is to see how serious the issue is. Talking to the person involved and asking about their thoughts will decrease the trigger of suicidal action. Suggesting a counselor or treatment for depression might also help. Often, people who are depressed need a caring friend. A common fallacy is that people who talk about suicide never act on it. If a friend or loved one is talking about suicide, it’s time to get help for that person.”

A Caring Friend

As any caring friend will make clear… there is no shame in seeking help. There is also no shame in mental and/or emotional struggle or crisis. We are living in a time of challenges to our emotions and spirit. We encourage AMS associates to remember there is help available through the EAP and it’s free. Simply contact Human Resources for the phone number. Below is one more brief quote from the aforementioned website:

“The mental health of yourself or a loved one can never be taken too seriously. Whether the weight of a long-term struggle or a crisis weighs you down, allow friends, family or a profession to lighten the burden by finding support.” 

How Else Can We Help?

In addition to providing the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), how else can employers help? We found some recommendations at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The first recommendation is to create a supportive and open work culture, fostering an environment where associates feel safe discussing their mental health without fear of judgment or retaliation. The second recommendation is to promote work-life balance and reduce job strain. The third recommendation is to offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).

The article goes on to recommend that the company’s health insurance plan includes high-quality, comprehensive coverage for mental health and that the managers listen to feedback from associates. Also, they wisely recommend that associates receive support during life transitions, such as the loss of a family member. Finally, we must include mention of these essential resources: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) and the Crisis Text Line (text TALK to 741741).

At AMS we do fulfill these recommendations for our associates. As we have said many times, we value our associates highly and we support their health, including their mental and emotional health. Suicide prevention is a subject vital to our well-being as persons and as a company. We not only encourage our associates to utilize the EAP but we also encourage them to talk with the persons in the position of management if feeling stressed, overwhelmed or depressed. We will listen, and we will provide the helping hand if at all possible.

Contact AMS Fulfillment [LINK] for top-notch eCommerce fulfillment services.

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We’re about to enter Labor Day Weekend. This national holiday is the first Monday of September… September 1st!! Honoring the laborers is something we enjoy and fully support. What would AMS Fulfillment be without the men and women who come to work and give their time and energy to bring about our success? We thank them, every single one, whether they labor in the warehouses or in the offices – we thank them for their time, their energy, and their dedication.

We want AMS to be the place where our employees get some enjoyment in their job as well as fair pay, health benefits, and a safe environment.

The History of Labor Day

A quick search tells us that Labor Day was created by the labor movement in the late 19^th century, and it became a federal holiday in 1894. Obviously, there is a story here… what was the labor movement? Why was there a labor movement? We went to history dot com [LINK] for some history.

“In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.

“People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.”

Well, that answers the question of what and why. Apparently when more manufacturing began to be done, labor unions started to form. The article continues with a story about labor unions from that time period:

“As manufacturing increasingly supplanted agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, which had first appeared in the late 18th century, grew more prominent and vocal.

“They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay. Many of these events turned violent during this period, including the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. Others gave rise to longstanding traditions: On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.”

Revolutionary Advancement

Labor Day commemorates a revolutionary and welcome advancement in American culture. Laborers were exploited and the work environments weren’t safe. The inhumane and unfair treatment of labor was confronted and through the unity of laborers, things were eventually made right. Violence sadly occurred, many wrongs were done, and yet here we are today, honoring our laborers. Here is just one story among many:

“On June 26, the American Railroad Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars, crippling railroad traffic nationwide. To break the Pullman strike, the federal government dispatched troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers.

“In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified.”

The Outcome

And there we have it. The story of how laborers fought for fair treatment. These efforts were more than 130 years ago. Has fairness been achieved? There are numerous employers that respect and appreciate the men and women working for the success of their business, so we would answer yes, in many ways fairness has been achieved.

AMS Fulfillment is proof that a business can consider employees stakeholders and still be successful. In other words, a business can do right and benefit from it. AMS considers its clients stakeholders, its employees stakeholders, our beautiful Earth a stakeholder and AMS itself a stakeholder – we have four and we see it as a recipe for success. A stakeholder means that when decisions are made, the well-being of clients, employees, the environment and the business itself are taken into account.

Have a Great Weekend

We asked Google about labor day parades – are there any going on: “Yes, you can find Labor Day parades in many cities across the country, as parades are a traditional part of Labor Day celebrations. To find a parade near you, you should search online for “Labor Day parades in [your city or region]” closer to the holiday, or check community event listings for your area.”

To all readers, we wish you an enjoyable Labor Day and thank you for your labor.

Readers are welcome to contact us at amsfulfillment.com.

There is an important anniversary coming up soon in August, marking a profound historical victory. August 26^th celebrates Women’s Equality Day!! What does that mean? It’s the day that the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was certified – the Women’s Suffrage Amendment. After a long and hard battle, in 1920 women in America achieved the right to vote. From Google we read:

“The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged based on sex. It essentially granted women the right to vote. More specifically, it says, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” 

Young women in today’s world most likely experience and expect equality. On the other hand, women with a few decades of life experience do remember a time when there were few, if any women doctors, lawyers, corporate executives and other professionals. Yes, we, as a culture, have been slowly and surely rising above many hundreds of years of patriarchy.

August 26^th

The efforts that led to the ratification of the Women’s Suffrage Amendment are referred to as the Suffrage Movement. The word ‘suffrage’ simply means the right to vote in political elections. Here is what Google says about the movement:

“The women’s suffrage movement was a decades-long fight to secure voting rights for women. In the United States, it culminated in the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote. This movement involved various strategies, including protests, lobbying, and legal challenges, and was part of a broader global effort to advance women’s rights.” 

The Women’s Suffrage Amendment was certified in 1920, but it was not until 1973 that the date was commemorated with “Women’s Equality Day”. The Congresswoman who fought for and gained the commemorative recognition was Bella Abzug from New York. From Google we read:

“Women’s Equality Day, celebrated annually on August 26th, commemorates the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on sex. The day was officially designated by Congress in 1973, largely due to the efforts of Representative Bella Abzug.”

As we mentioned, chances are there are young women in today’s world who seldom think about the oppression of the past. Yes, once upon a time in the U.S. women could not vote. Sad fact is that women could not own property either, and that was not so long ago. Even if a woman inherited property, she could not own it in her own name or pass it on to heirs. The Fair Housing Act, passed in 1968 said ‘no more’ to discrimination against homebuyers and renters based on sex.

Let’s Look at AMS

AMS Fulfillment is a bi-coastal mid-size 3^rd party fulfillment center, also known as a 3PL (3^rd Party Logistics company). If we had women’s equality issues at AMS, we would avoid covering this commemorative day.

AMS has amazing women in leadership serving in various capacities from our board, senior executive team, and at every level of our leadership in our corporate headquarters, warehouses, and offices. Over the years and most recently we celebrate the promotions of multiple women to positions in the manager, director, and vice president levels. It is also exciting to share that we have highly qualified women representing our brand on the senior team and at our ownership level.

When we describe AMS Fulfillment as a top-notch full-service fulfillment service with integrity… we can thank these women and many more for being a vital part of creating that “top-notch with integrity” reality.

Present Day Issues

We presume there are still companies with inequality issues, but it appears the number is not high. In today’s culture the contributions of women are apparent everywhere. We can choose a woman doctor, or lawyer, or other professional without a second thought. Yet, there are still some issues to be dealt with.

Here’s what Google says: “Women’s Equality Day serves as a reminder of the progress made in achieving gender equality and the continued need to address issues like pay disparity, gender-based violence, and underrepresentation.”

Yes, it is sadly true that with some employers, women are paid less than men when doing comparable work. Also, in some companies women are underrepresented in executive positions. Gender-based violence is a subject worthy of its own blog. It is a sad reality that must come to an end.

Celebrate With Gratitude

A wonderful way to celebrate on August 26^th is to take a moment to think about a woman you admire and write a little note of gratitude. We found this quote at [LINK]: “Women’s Equality Day is all about uplifting and empowering women, and marveling at how far women have progressed, defying all odds and oppression.”

If you’re looking for a top-notch full-service fulfillment company with integrity, please feel free to contact us at amsfulfillment.com. Our clients are very well-served and proud to partner with us.

Happy Women’s Equality Day!!

About three weeks ago we covered the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act in our blog commemorating Disability Pride Month. That was an enjoyable journey. Thinking about living with a disability has led to the realization that we haven’t covered the news about disability employment for some time. In this blog we’ll cover some good things that are happening for individuals who are living with a disability. Good news is always appreciated so let’s look at recent developments in disability employment.

“The first item of interest is the news that the Department of Labor has provided 69$ million in funding to train young adults with disabilities. Here’s what Google tells us: “The Department of Labor is providing significant funding to develop innovative strategies that help young people with disabilities successfully transition into the workforce.” That certainly is good news, and we hope the training is truly beneficial. As we continue to search, we find more good news!

The End of Subminimum Pay

Currently there is a program that lets some employers pay disabled workers less than the minimum wage, and the news is that the Department of Labor is proposing to phase out that program. Currently the law has about 40,000 disabled workers laboring for half the minimum wage (which is $7.25/hr.) or less.

Subminimum pay for employees with disabilities can, should and must become a thing of the past. More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have banned the program and Illinois has passed legislation to end subminimum wage for disabled workers by 2029.

The following is from the National Organization on Disability [LINK]: “Still, even if the proposal is not enacted, subminimum pay for those with disabilities could become a thing of the past, as more than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have already banned the program. The Illinois legislature recently passed legislation to end subminimum wage for disabled workers by 2029. California Nevada and Virginia are also phasing out the program.”

Apparently, the program was started in 1938 as a way to provide jobs for injured military veterans. Currently there are disabled people who work in what are called sheltered workshops where they are paid as little as 25 cents an hour. It’s a sad thought to realize that people are working for pennies because of a disability. This must change. We are very pleased to see the beginning of the end of this inhumane program.

Employment for Disabled Veterans

The previous news brings us to thinking about disabled veterans. What is being done for our veterans with disabilities? The first news that we found is that the Department of Labor has created an online toolkit to help disabled veterans. Here is what the DOL website says about it:

“Developed by the department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service and the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Veterans Accommodations Toolkit offers tips and strategies on ways to enhance workplace supports and accommodations designed to facilitate the recruitment, hiring, training, and retention of disabled American veterans in apprenticeship and other employment settings. The toolkit includes resources that not only help disabled veterans, but also benefit employers, apprenticeship sponsors, and workforce development specialists.”

We encourage a visit to the DOL toolkit at this [LINK]. We certainly hope that the toolkit is helpful to the individuals and employers who utilize it. We owe military veterans our respect and more. Disabled veterans should be given helpful information leading to the employment they are seeking and employers should be given the beneficial DOL information. Below is a quote from the article with some data:

“Currently, more than 5 million American veterans aged 18 or older have service-connected disabilities. Each year, roughly 200,000 service members – including approximately 22,000 who have some type of disability – transition to the private sector and many remain unemployed after transition. The employment rate for working-age veterans with disabilities is 43.5%, compared to 79.8% for nondisabled veterans. The toolkit aims to help close this employment gap and get skilled, capable Americans back into the workforce.”

Good News is Good

In reviewing the disability employment news, we are pleased that young people with disabilities are receiving help from the DOL. That is good news! It’s also good news that a program allowing some employers to pay disabled workers less than the minimum wage is being phased out. Very good news! And, it is good news that resources are being made available to help disabled veterans and their employers.

AMS Fulfillment has hired individuals with disabilities for many years, providing accommodations when needed. Do we pay disabled individuals less than their peers? Of course not. We work with local community organizations that provide job training to disabled individuals and we hire fully qualified individuals from that pool of talent.

Integrity matters to AMS. Our clients know that not only do we handle their product fulfillment expertly, there is a plus – AMS Fulfillment is a values-based organization.

What does that actually mean… values-based? For an answer we went to Jeff Bruce, VP of Human Resources at AMS: “Our number one value is Integrity which means we do the right thing in the face of adversity, we do the right thing even when the road is tough, we do the right thing when others aren’t doing it, and we are willing to stand alone. This is why doing business with AMS is the right thing.”

Please feel free to visit our website, amsfulfillment.com, and get in contact with us.

A quick Google search on warehouse injuries brings up some truly alarming statistics. At AMS we have a strong focus on warehouse safety, so thankfully AMS is not among those with four out of ten workers suffering some sort of injury. There are many months when AMS has no injuries. We obviously can’t prevent them all, but let’s just say that injuries are rare at AMS. In other words, our record in the industry is very good and we are beyond mindful when it comes to safety in the warehouse.

Most Common Injuries

What are the most common injuries in the warehouse? Number one would be slips, trips and falls. We prevent these injuries with careful maintenance of the aisles – nothing to slip on, nothing to trip over, and careful prevention of falls. Maintaining safe aisles is common sense and for us it is a given.

Another area where accidents can happen is in the operation of forklifts. There could be a collision, or the forklift could strike a person. It could overturn as well and the driver or others could be seriously injured. That is why at AMS we very thoroughly train our forklift operators on how to operate the equipment safely, at all times. This training is thorough and our forklift operators know how to handle their tasks safely.

Another injury on the list, related to improper operation of forklifts, is falling objects. If objects are improperly stacked or secured, they can fall, striking an employee and causing injuries that could be severe. Once again, we return to the thorough training of our forklift operators. Operating a forklift is a skill, and we make sure our operators have the skill and training to properly stack items, and make sure they are secured.

A much more common injury can come from lifting or manually handling heavy objects. Improper or unsafe lifting or handling can lead to sprains, strains, hernias – musculoskeletal injuries. At AMS the most frequent injury would be strains. Our employees are carefully and thoroughly trained in how to properly handle heavy objects and avoid these types of injuries. We do our best and yet we do experience an occasional injury.

Now let’s look at the injuries falling into the category of ‘other’. Number one is called repetitive stress. This means injuries that can occur due to repetitive movements like lifting, bending or twisting. Injuries can happen from overextension and overexertion, cuts or lacerations from using tools, handling sharp objects or dealing with machinery. Conveyor belts have their dangers as well. Finally, we’ll mention accidents involving trucks backing up.

As readers can see, working in a fulfillment warehouse has its dangers built in. AMS is well aware of the importance of safety training and we strongly encourage employees to bring any safety concerns to the attention of their supervisor – don’t wait – see something, say something immediately.

We want to have the best safety record in the industry among fulfillment warehouses, and we are definitely doing our best to achieve it. AMS has few lost-time injuries and when we do experience an accident resulting in injury, we learn from it.

Why the Focus on Safety?

Let’s start answering this question with a quote from Mr. Jeff Bruce, VP of Human Resources at AMS Fulfillment.

“We are working on a Safety strategy to ensure all of our practices are in alignment in all of our facilities and we are in full compliance with all of the ever-changing rules and laws. Our main goal is to keep all of our associates safe and have a safe workplace to be at. It’s the right thing to do and we want to be industry leaders. Our desire is to make things safe for every associate through training, supervisor interactions, and promoting good safety habits.”

We could say that the focus on safety comes from actually caring about our employees… and we Do actually care. Our conversations about employees being stakeholders in our business isn’t ‘woke’ propaganda. We live what we believe, and what we believe is… do what’s right by the employees, the clients, the environment and ourselves.

We don’t talk about it often, but AMS has been a very dedicated B Corporation for several years. We do it for ourselves, and we also do it for our other stakeholders. Our clients are proud to do business with a B Corporation, and their customers appreciate it as well. Most customers would prefer to buy a product from a company that cares not only about the quality of the product, but also integrity in the manufacturing and handling of the product.

What Does Safety do for fulfillment Clients?

AMS is proof that a fulfillment company can care about employees and still be a successful business. We encourage all eCommerce businesses looking for the right fulfillment provider to ask about the fulfillment company’s record with regard to warehouse injuries. Respect for employee safety matters, and it leads to excellent service in fulfillment.

How does it lead to excellent service? Fulfillment clients looking for a good safety record, also can take a good look at what a safe warehouse actually means for their business.

#1. First of all, experienced and skilled workers want to work at the safe warehouse, and stay there. So, in the safe warehouse clients get an experienced workforce with skills.

#2. Secondly, a fulfillment service with a low injury rate will be a positive for the brand’s image.

#3. A safe warehouse for employees is also a safe warehouse for the client’s products. No accidents means nothing in the warehouse damaged.

#4. No supply chain disruptions due to equipment malfunctions or accidents, which means timely delivery of the client’s products. When a client partners with a fulfillment company that prioritizes safety, the client protects its investments and enhances its brand image.

Please feel free to contact us at amsfulfillment.com.

What is a full-service fulfillment company? What services are included within full-service? Let’s say that you operate a business where you design and manufacture products for online sales. You enjoy conceptualizing and creating, manufacturing, marketing and selling your product, and you prefer focusing your efforts and expertise on these activities. This allows you to prioritize quality and the growth of your company.

Fortunately, you have a business partner who manages the warehousing of your products, picks and packs your orders, and ships your products while ensuring optimal pricing and timely delivery. This fulfillment company also takes care of customer service inquiries via email and phone, it manages returns processing and repairs, it does the kitting and necessary assembly, and there is even more. Your fulfillment partner provides value-add services like gift wrapping, labels and UPC stickers and Back-Office Support.

Back Office Support

What is back-office support? Allow us to quote from AMS Fulfillment’s website: “At AMS, our definition of Back-office Support as a fulfillment services company is unique in that much of it is client-facing… and it is led by an experienced, proactive, and robust Client Services Team that serves as the conduit to all facets of the business, including information technology (IT), finance and of course warehouse operations!”

Another term for Back Office Support could be client engagement. It’s important for the fulfillment service partner to understand the needs and objectives of the client, and that kind of understanding comes from engaging with the client and responding to the needs. Fulfillment services are complex. The integration of the systems could be an issue, or the client may need the fulfillment service to handle returns, or any one of the other services included in ‘full-service’. As the quote tells us, the Client Services Team is ready to engage with the client, and basically, they provide the Back Office Support.

A Closer Look

The standard offerings of a fulfillment center will include the pick and pack services, eCommerce and B2B fulfillment services, shipping services, warehousing services and inventory management services. Services in addition to these basics will be found in a full-service fulfillment service.

Let’s see what AMS says about additional services: “As a major, high-capacity player in the world of pick pack ship fulfillment, we are also very nimble and accommodating to the brands we serve.  At AMS, we have engineers, equipment, and expertise in a variety of special handling services, including large scale kit assembly, product-relabeling or packaging, B2B routing-based VAS work (e.g. price stickering, hang tags, hanger insertion/removal, compliance labeling), B2C branded pack-outs… and even higher-end product manipulation work such as engraving!” Add to these services Back Office Support, and we have a fairly good idea of what full-service means in fulfillment.

Full-service caters to the growing number of creative and innovative eCommerce businesses that wish to concentrate on product creation, marketing, and sales, while entrusting fulfillment services to a partner who ‘does it all’.

There are four stakeholders that AMS is committed to – our clients, our employees, our Mother Earth and ourselves. Businesses that are thinking about outsourcing fulfillment have a lot of choices. The ideal choice is one that provides all of the services needed (full-service), and one that is able to integrate with the client as would a partner. Integration and communication, both verbally and with data exchange, is vital – not listed as a “service” but perhaps the most important service a client could ask for.

Readers who wish to find out more about AMS Fulfillment, please visit our website at amsfulfillment.com.

Our report this week is on the importance of a positive workplace culture. We are living and raising families in a time where there are quite a few negative things going on in the world; things that create stressors in our minds. Going to work and making a living should not create stress. Instead, our workplace culture should bring about confidence and physical and mental well-being.

People working in the fulfillment industry definitely need their workplace culture to be encouraging, supportive and respectful with regard to benefits and safety. Safety means a lot in fulfillment. Also, creating a positive workplace culture is vital to the physical and mental health of employees.

At AMS Fulfillment we are committed to the well-being of our employees, and this is well known by our clients. AMS is a B Corporation, which means we have made a legal commitment to conduct our business to Benefit four stakeholders. The stakeholders are our clients, our employees, our environment and ourselves.

Our clients truly appreciate partnering with a fulfillment service that has integrity and values its employees and the environment. One benefit for our clients is that they can inform their customers that the product they are considering purchasing will be warehoused, fulfilled and shipped with respect for the environment and employee safety. Shoppers care about that – it’s a big plus.

Here’s what Google says about the workplace culture: “A positive workplace culture is crucial for an organization’s success, impacting employee engagement, productivity, and overall business performance. It fosters a sense of belonging, encourages collaboration, and can be a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent.”

The Benefits of Respect

Benefit #1 of a positive workplace culture is that we attract and retain talented individuals. AMS has more than a few talented employees that have been with the company for many years. What Google says on the subject is true: “When employees feel valued, respected, and connected to their work, they are more likely to stay with the company long-term, reducing turnover costs and maintaining institutional knowledge.” 

Reducing turnover and maintaining knowledge is so beneficial to AMS and our clients. We encourage our employees to share their good ideas, and when they do, we listen. Google goes on to say that a positive environment… “…can lead to reduced stress, improved morale, and a greater sense of job satisfaction.” Yes, we agree – a positive environment can reduce stress.

The Workplace

Working in a warehouse, our employees are exposed to and operating machinery, making repetitive movements and moving heavy packages and items. Therefore, there is risk – injuries can happen. Statistically we have a very good record, with very few lost-time injuries. The reason for our exceptional record is our training. It is extensive. We adhere to OSHA standards, and go above and beyond, taking safety walks every month. Employees should be able to trust in the efforts to provide a safe environment. We do our best to provide workplace safety, and that is definitely part of a positive culture.

Google actually has some pretty wise conclusions on a positive workplace culture. We’ll conclude with Google’s opinion!

“In essence, a strong workplace culture acts as a foundation for success, impacting everything from employee engagement and productivity to attracting talent and shaping the company’s reputation. It’s not just about having a list of values on the wall; it’s about consistently living those values through actions, policies, and behaviors.” 

How true!! At AMS Fulfillment we actually do live our values. It matters to us, our clients, and our employees… and maybe even our Mother Earth.

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With regard to the environment, at AMS we do everything we can to protect our beautiful Earth. When we saw that from July 25 to August 3^rd is “Love Parks Week,” it seemed a good idea to talk about our families and our beautiful Earth.

As our readers know, at AMS we highly value our employees and we also highly value our Mother Earth. We know that it is our employees who create client success, and we value them for that reason… and much more. We value them as human beings, with families and home lives as well as work lives. And one more thing that matters… our clients appreciate doing business with a fulfillment company that values its employees and protects the environment.

Volunteer and Enjoy

According to Google, the commemoration is about volunteering and enjoying our parks. “Love Parks Week in the USA is celebrated annually at the end of July, with specific dates varying by location and organization. This week-long event is dedicated to appreciating and enjoying the beauty and benefits of local parks and green spaces. It’s a time for communities to come together, participate in volunteer activities, and enjoy various park-related events and programs.”

As our readers know, our AMS Fulfillment employees do volunteer in cleaning up outdoor spaces, and we sincerely appreciate their dedication to environmentalism. For this special week, we hope that our families find time to enjoy the parks in their neighborhood and volunteer if there is a clean-up in which they want to participate.

History of “Love Parks Week”

We went to National Today [LINK] for the story of this commemorative week. National Today goes into the history, and they offer some inspiring words about the value of our parks and natural spaces:

“Throughout history, civilization has used the land for different purposes other than agricultural ones. In Egypt, they had gardens for their homes and temples, and hunting parks were also built by the Assyrians. The gardens built by the Greeks, on the other hand, served as a meeting and market location, safe from attacks by the city’s enemies. The Romans continued to build public gathering spaces, but the other three types of parks were incorporated into the imperial villa and its descendants. The park-making goals of Hadrian and Diocletian’s palace gardens were combined in the Roman era.

“Parks were built for family enjoyment, exercise, hunting, the fine arts, and the celebration of the emperor’s godlike status, among other purposes. Because of this, Renaissance villas in Italy and Europe from the 15th to 17th centuries were based on these properties. North European park and garden designers paid homage to their Greek and Roman roots by incorporating statues from those cultures into their work.

“Persia’s royal hunting preserves, which had been established over hundreds of square feet by the kings of Persia, evolved as riding trails and shelters were built into the landscape. Another sort of park developed from ancient Athens’ open-air public gathering spaces, where the functions of an exercise ground, a social concourse, and an athletes’ training ground were merged with features of a sculpture gallery and religious center.”

At AMS we Love Our Earth

We have talked many times about the very extensive recycling efforts at AMS as well as energy-saving efforts. We have also talked about our efforts to support employee health, including physical, mental and social health. AMS is a certified B Corporation and we gratefully operate with high moral standards. In fact, let’s close with the AMS Mission Statement and wish every reader a wonderful “Love Parks Week.” Here below is the Mission of AMS Fulfillment:

“We will provide our service in a manner that recognizes that profit and growth are not goals unto themselves, but merely outcomes of uncompromised attention to our customer, our organization, our community, our planet, and ourselves.”

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