An Overview of the Warehousing Industry
Warehouse workers typically load and unload freight and move it around in
warehouses and terminals. Workers may also use powered industrial fork trucks, pallet
jacks, carts and other equipment to move freight and may place heavy or bulky items on
wooden skids or pallets. Experienced warehouse workers also can move into other
related jobs such as installation, maintenance, and repair occupations, but generally only
enter these jobs after acquiring experience in related jobs or after receiving specialized
training.
Warehouse workers are one of the fastest growing occupations in the country.
“Employment within the industry is expected to grow twenty three percent from 2002
through 2012, compared with projected growth of sixteen percent for all industries
combined.”
i
This growth is attributable to normal employment growth and also to a
larger number of expected retirements, and the expectation that more and more
manufacturers will outsource their distribution and warehousing functions to trucking and
warehousing companies.
“Because the industry is large, many job openings will result – not only from
employment growth, but also from the need to replace the large number of workers who
transfer to other industries or retire. Competition in this industry is intense and additional
employment growth is anticipated due to manufacturers’ willingness to concentrate more
on their core competencies – producing goods – and outsource their distribution
functions to trucking and warehousing companies. As firms in other industries
increasingly employ this industry’s logistical services, such as inventory management
and just in time shipping, many new jobs will be created. Also, the expansion of
electronic commerce, as more consumers and businesses make purchases over the
Internet, will continue to increase demand for workers in this industry.”
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