Custom Engineering: The Key to Optimizing Your Supply Chain Process

Katherine Wroth • November 11, 2024

What were your supply chain processes, goals and challenges in 2025? What has worked in the past and what's falling short now?

Custom-engineered solutions deliver exactly what your automation process requires. Solutions implemented by 51ÊÓÆµ's engineering team are tailored to meet your company's unique needs and designed for your long-term objectives. Major benefits of custom engineering include:


  • Quality control
  • Expert advice and guidance
  • Enhanced user experience
  • Resource management
  • Cost reduction
  • Reduced engineering overhead


How 51ÊÓÆµ's custom-engineered solutions enhance efficiency and productivity for clients


Every solution we design at 51ÊÓÆµ is unique and personalized to meet each client's specific needs. How do we achieve this? We begin by deeply analyzing your data to understand SKU counts, product sizes, movement speed, goals, and peak periods. This insight allows us to create designs tailored to maximize efficiency while keeping costs low. We compare various models, considering options like robotics, pick-and-pass, cluster picking and ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems). Each model is assessed for its ability to meet service and quality standards, aiming for optimal cost-effectiveness without compromising timely order fulfillment.


Incorporating the latest technologies to stay competitive in the 3PL industry


With labor costs rising and peak seasons demanding more, our team stays at the forefront of technology by attending trade shows and collaborating with industry integrators. These efforts keep us up to date with emerging tools that lower costs and improve fulfillment quality. Many clients face high retail peaks, especially during the holiday season, so having flexible, scalable solutions is essential. By leveraging the latest technologies, we offer clients solutions that meet operational demands and reduce costs, ensuring a competitive edge in the dynamic 3PL landscape.


A tailored design process to meet each client's specific needs


Our design process is data-driven. We start by understanding the client's needs and goals, followed by an in-depth analysis of their outbound orders, item master, dimensions, weights and inbound data. Whether a client has a high SKU variety with shallow stock or a deeper inventory of fewer items, we identify the best-fit solution based on these metrics. Sometimes, multiple solutions are possible, allowing the client to choose the best option with their objectives. Focusing on data and consistent communication ensures each solution is finely tuned to the client's operations.


How 51ÊÓÆµ overcomes common challenges in creating custom solutions


Cost is a significant hurdle in custom solution design. Clients seek the best solution at the lowest cost while maintaining high standards and meeting SLAs. With expenses rising, finding ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality is essential. We work creatively to cut costs in areas like space and asset usage, aiming to provide sustainable, budget-friendly solutions that meet clients' operational needs. Balancing quality, functionality and budget is challenging but vital to delivering value.


The importance of collaboration between the engineering team and other departments


Collaboration is central to 51ÊÓÆµ's approach. The solutions team sits at the intersection of sales and operations. Sales aims to secure new business, while operations needs to run these deals efficiently and profitably. Solutions must balance both interests, creating designs that win clients while being viable for operations to execute. Close cooperation with these teams helps us develop realistic, effective solutions that meet business and operational goals. This collaboration ensures that 51ÊÓÆµ's solutions are not only effective but also sustainable for the long term.


Ensuring scalability and flexibility of engineered solutions to accommodate client growth


Scalability is built into our solutions from day one. Many of our clients are rapidly growing startups or e-commerce businesses or have varying demands over time. Our solutions are designed to adapt, with year-one solutions flexible enough to evolve into year-two or year-three solutions, depending on the client's growth and any shifts in business focus, like introducing omnichannel capabilities. By avoiding rigid structures, we provide the flexibility clients need, whether in a multi-client environment or a dedicated setup, to support them as they expand and change.


Delivering sustainable success through customized engineering


51ÊÓÆµ's approach to custom-engineered solutions empowers clients with logistics processes built specifically for their needs. By focusing on data-driven insights, cutting-edge technology, and collaborative design, we create solutions that are effective today and scalable. With a commitment to cost efficiency, quality, and operational flexibility, 51ÊÓÆµ partners with clients to optimize their supply chains, address key challenges, and support sustainable success. Through tailored engineering, we're proud to specialize in a competitive advantage for each client we serve.


Facing supply chain challenges? Get in touch with us now to explore solutions designed for long-term success.

Recent Blog Posts

By Bryan Corbett May 29, 2025
Surfin’ in the USA: Kulani Kinis Rides the Wave with 51ÊÓÆµ 51ÊÓÆµCenters to Anchor USA Fulfillment
By Katherine Wroth May 15, 2025
Let’s be honest—most 3PLs aren’t built for high-touch brands. With premium price tags come premium expectations, and fulfillment is no exception. Whether it’s monogrammed leather goods or curated skincare kits, today’s high-touch brands can’t afford to treat logistics like a commodity. At 51ÊÓÆµ, we work with boutique luxury and personalized brands every day. One thing is clear: fulfillment is more than getting a product from Point A to Point B. It’s the final critical touchpoint in the customer experience and needs to feel as premium as the product itself. The Fulfillment Factor Behind High-Touch Brand Loyalty 71% of consumers expect personalization and 76% get frustrated when they don’t get it (Source: McKinsey & Company, 2021) You’ve done the hard work. Your product is beautiful, your website is curated and your brand story is compelling. But if the unboxing experience feels generic or careless, it can cheapen everything. In the luxury space, fulfillment is brand extension. That’s where we come in. What High-Touch Brands Need from a 3PL Here’s what we’ve learned working with some of the fastest-growing personalized and luxury DTC brands: 1. Inventory Accuracy That Doesn’t Miss When you offer custom options like embroidery, personalization, or mix-and-match bundles, flawless inventory control is essential. The entire order will be delayed or incorrect if one SKU is missing. At 51ÊÓÆµ, we achieve 99.9% inventory accuracy through advanced warehouse management systems and real-time visibility that integrates directly with platforms like Shopify and Amazon. 2. Kitting + Personalization Whether it’s applying branded tissue paper, adding thank-you notes, or assembling kits with care, we support: Custom kitting and assembly Packaging inserts SKU-level quality control Custom labeling and wrapping We’ve helped brands build everything from personalized PR kits to retail-ready gift boxes that align and enhance branding. 3. Speed Without Sacrificing Experience Yes, customers want fast shipping. But luxury shoppers expect care. That’s why we help brands strike the right balance by delivering quickly without cutting corners. With 24+ fulfillment centers across the U.S. , we enable 1 to 2-day ground shipping to 95% of the country while maintaining consistent handling processes that protect quality. 4. A Warehouse That Reflects Your Brand You’ve built a brand that stands out. Your 3PL should reflect that. At 51ÊÓÆµ, we offer: In-warehouse banners to spotlight your brand Co-branded unboxing content and marketing support A dedicated support team that understands your business and cares about the details Your brand isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of the daily operation. The Results: Better Reviews, Fewer Returns and Higher LTV According to Deloitte, brands that deliver a consistent customer experience across all touchpoints enjoy 2.4x higher customer loyalty. When fulfillment meets expectations, it drives repeat purchases, positive word-of-mouth and long-term growth. Ready for Your Forever 3PL? If you’re a high-touch, high-growth eCommerce brand, it’s time for a fulfillment partner that gets it. Contact us for a complimentary supply chain consultation and see what your brand can do with the right 3PL.
By Harrison Smith May 14, 2025
Tired of Being Too Small for Big 3PLs? We Built This Just for You!
More Posts