Ergonomic and economic optimization of layout and item assignment of a U-shaped order picking zone

Order picking is considered one of the most labor- and cost-intensive warehouse operating processes. Regularly, order pickers are exposed to severe physical demands, which increase the likelihood for developing muscular-skeletal disorders, such as lower back pain. Muscular-skeletal disorders cause significant compensation, recovery and deficiency costs and are expected to gain further importance in the future due to an aging workforce. Both...