Capstone Logistics attended the IFDA 2025 Solutions Conference in Kansas City last week, where we joined foodservice distribution leaders to discuss the latest challenges and opportunities in food logistics and warehouse management. This timely event provided insightful conversations about pressing concerns in warehouse technology and automation that are reshaping the foodservice distribution industry.

From everyone we talked to, the buzz at the event seemed to unite around a few key themes: workforce turnover, warehouse automation, and the responsible implementation of AI. These challenges are significant in the foodservice distribution industry; but the good news is, they are solvable with the right strategies, workforce solutions, and partnerships in food logistics.

As we delved deeper into these topics, several critical concerns emerged that are shaping the future of food distribution. Addressing them will be key for industry professionals seeking to stay competitive and efficient. Here are some of the major concerns that dominated our conversations at the conference:

• Workforce Turnover and Retention
  Recruiting, retaining, and managing labor — especially the incoming Gen Z workforce — remains a top priority. With turnover rates increasing, particularly in operational roles, food distribution professionals are seeking effective workforce solutions to develop and retain talent while maintaining a productive workforce.
• Automation and Warehouse Modernization
  Inexperienced workers are prone to inefficiency and subpar performance, which can disrupt operations and lead to higher operational costs.
• AI Implementation
  AI is playing an increasing role in warehouse technology, aiding decision-making and improving operational safety. However, integrating AI must focus on driving meaningful results without adding complexity.

As we connected with industry leaders, it became clear that the pressure to adapt is growing across the board. While these challenges are well-known, it’s the ongoing shift in how to approach them that’s driving innovation in food distribution. In our conversations, we found a few themes that our partners in the foodservice industry are using to address these challenges and turn these roadblocks into a new path forward.

Develop a Workforce Strategy

For workforce management, the focus should be on creating development pathways that engage employees, especially younger generations. Workforce solutions that emphasize leadership development and authentic communication are key to keeping employees engaged and aligned with operational goals.

Assess Readiness for Automation

Before implementing warehouse automation, companies should carefully evaluate their current processes. Identifying repetitive tasks that could benefit from warehouse technology will help ensure a seamless integration. The key is not to rush into automation without a proper cost-benefit analysis and a clear understanding of how it will fit into existing workflows.

Leverage AI for Proactive Operations

Utilizing AI to drive predictive analytics and enhance safety in warehouse management can transform food logistics. Implementing scalable AI solutions with clear ROI metrics ensures that AI investments pay off.

At Capstone, we understand that food distribution professionals face immense pressure to balance efficiency with operational challenges. Our approach is data-driven, performance-oriented, and tailored to meet the specific needs of our partners. Here’s how we address these concerns for our partners in the foodservice distribution industry.

1. Workforce Management Solutions
   Our unique pay-for-performance model incentivizes productivity, ensuring a highly engaged workforce. We take the burden off full-time employees, enabling businesses to focus on training and empowering their top performers while we handle the heavy lifting. This helps you reduce turnover, retain focus on your employee engagement, and ensure your warehouse continues running seamlessly even if distractions crop up elsewhere.
   
2. Automation and Technology Integration
   Capstone solutions are technology-agnostic; with over 650 warehouses across the nation, we are adept at helping businesses make upgrades, updates, or evaluations that align with their goals. Our operational assessments can help you determine if automation is the right next step, and our solutions are flexible, scalable, and designed to blend seamlessly with your existing processes — so you can make updates, schedule training, or trial new processes without disruption​ to your operations.
   
3. AI and Data-Driven Insights
   Much like implementing automation, bringing AI into your operation can be risky when not done carefully. Our proprietary technology platform, APEX, provides real-time data and visibility across warehouse and transportation operations, giving you a great baseline to evaluate your processes and make decisions.  Our data-driven insights enable more proactive decision-making, improving efficiency and safety throughout the supply chain​. 

Capstone is committed to being more than just a service provider — we’re your partner. We’ll help you tackle these challenges head-on with the right mix of people, technology, and processes. Together, we’ll build a more resilient and future-ready supply chain. 

Let’s optimize your operations — your way combined with our way creates a better way.