You don’t build a warehouse every year—but when you do, the decisions you make will either save you millions… or haunt your ops team for decades. In this episode, we go off the beaten path of sales incentives to talk facilities, refrigeration, automation, and how to avoid getting forklift tines through your concrete walls (yep, that happened).

Bud, Ross, and Mike are joined by Mike Pratt, longtime facility planner and project manager, who’s helped wholesalers across the country build smarter, scale better, and save millions in the process. Whether you're looking at a retrofit, a full-blown build, or just leasing overflow space "for a year" (spoiler: it won't be), this episode breaks down what top distributors are getting right—and where most screw it up.

🧱 Topics Covered:

🏗️ Why building early beats waiting for prices to drop

🔁 The hidden cost of touching product multiple times

☀️ Solar deadlines & what the 2027 tax credit window really mean

🤖 ASRS vs. layer pickers vs. full-case automation

🚚 Cross-docking consolidation and inter-company transfer traps

❄️ ROI math on refrigeration systems (and why epoxy isn’t for everyone)

📦 How SKU sprawl is reshaping warehouse design

🧠 The future of humanoid robotics in beverage distribution

🛠️ Key Takeaways:

❌ “Don’t touch it twice.” Every extra move costs you more than you think

📉 Short-term leases aren’t short-term. They quietly bleed cash over years

🏢 Automation only works if your building’s ready. And most aren’t

⏳ You have until 2027 for solar credits. But panel & labor shortages mean act now

💰 Refrigeration upgrades don’t have to cost $1.2M. Unless you wait too long

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup

00:23 Guest Introduction and Background

02:59 Facility Planning and Project Management

05:49 Geothermal and Sustainable Solutions

08:47 Building Materials and Construction Trends

11:16 Challenges in Warehouse Operations

13:57 The Need for Proactive Space Management

17:21 Cost Avoidance and Long-Term Planning

20:30 Operational Consolidation and Cross-Docking

29:35 Automation Trends in Distribution

36:14 Future of Automation and Facility Planning

38:57 Solar Energy and Cost Savings

43:20 Refrigeration Upgrades and Cost Avoidance

🔗 Mentioned:📍 Mike Pratt – facility-planning.com | [email protected]

📍 VXP – vxptech.com | [email protected]🎤 Distributor Productivity Summit (themes: automation, diversification, energy ROI)

👉 Like what you’re hearing? Subscribe, rate, and share the Tapped In Sales Podcast with your team. We’ll see you in Vegas (hopefully not leasing warehouse space next to your actual warehouse).

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About Tapped In Sales:  

Tapped In Sales is a podcast dedicated to beer distributors and beverage industry professionals who are looking to elevate their sales strategies and drive profitability. Hosted by industry experts Bud Dunn and Mike Hall, we dive deep into real-world stories, actionable insights, and the latest trends to help sales teams and managers unlock their full potential. Each episode blends data, strategy, and motivation, making complex topics easy to understand and implement.

This podcast is powered by VXP Tech – the leading Sales Strategy Management system designed for beer distributors. VXP simplifies the complexities of goal setting, variable compensation, and sales team performance, helping you master your market and grow profits, case by case.

Stay tuned for expert advice, fresh perspectives, and tools to sharpen your sales approach!

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