Durham Brands Boosts Warehouse Productivity with New WMS

Why It Matters

The upgrade proves that a modern WMS can scale fast‑growing consumer brands without extra labor, delivering cost efficiencies and higher service levels. It signals a shift toward automation‑driven competitiveness in the U.S. retail supply chain.

Key Takeaways

• Inventory accuracy rose to 98.5% with zero audit errors.
• Throughput per employee jumped 90% to 19,000 cases.
• December peak exceeded by 170% without extra labor.
• Continuous cycle counting cut tariffs, saving hundreds of thousands.
• Unified WMS integrated with NetSuite streamlined picking and lot control.

Pulse Analysis

The surge in e‑commerce and omnichannel retail has forced mid‑size manufacturers to rethink warehouse operations. Traditional, manually‑driven systems struggle with rising SKU complexity and volume spikes, leading to errors and bottlenecks. Durham Brands’ decision to adopt Infios’ WMS reflects a broader industry trend where cloud‑native platforms provide real‑time visibility, automated workflows, and seamless ERP integration, allowing firms to keep pace with demand without proportionally expanding headcount.

Since the rollout, Durham Brands has reported a dramatic lift in key performance indicators. Inventory accuracy now sits at 98.5%, eliminating audit discrepancies for the first time. Case throughput per full‑time equivalent surged from 10,000 to 19,000, effectively delivering a 90% productivity gain. By surpassing its December peak by 170% without hiring, the company demonstrated that intelligent software can replace labor‑intensive processes, freeing managers to focus on strategic growth rather than day‑to‑day error correction.

Beyond operational metrics, the new system unlocked financial and talent benefits. Continuous cycle counting and enhanced lot visibility enabled more strategic sourcing, producing hundreds of thousands of dollars in tariff savings. The intuitive interface, coupled with NetSuite integration, empowered a diverse workforce—including a hearing‑impaired, Spanish‑speaking employee—to manage e‑commerce fulfillment independently. For the broader market, Durham Brands’ success underscores how scalable WMS solutions can drive cost reductions, improve employee engagement, and create a competitive edge in an increasingly fast‑moving retail landscape.