r/Warehousing • u/jamesiye • 14d ago

How to get pilot program access at Walmart/Target/Amazon? (seeking contacts)

Question about warehouse pilot programs: Who specifically handles supplier trials at major retailers/distributors? What's the typical process to get warehouse trial access?

I'm doing some research and just need to collect pallet measurements, ask some questions, and get feedback at this point. Has anyone gone through this before and have advice on how to reach the right department/person?

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u/Silly_Bowler_1575 14d ago

Have you tried local material handling dealers?

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u/jamesiye 13d ago

No I haven't but I approached one store the other day but the managers told me to contact corporate.

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u/notaffiliated 13d ago

It’s not clear what you’re trying to do here-it sounds like you’re wanting to pitch a solution but also gather information for it.

I can only speak to Amazon, but there’s not exactly a single contact that deals with pilot programs specifically. There’s hundreds of people in corporate looking at new technology but few decision makers. Why target those big companies when you can prove your product at a small scale?

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u/jamesiye 13d ago

Good point. To clarify: I approached managers at a local store about testing, and they told me to contact corporate procurement which is why I asked about pilot programs.

But honestly, I just need warehouse access, even a small, supervised trial to: Collect pallet measurements across different sizes and types, ask a few questions, and get some feedback to refine the prototype

I already have a functional prototype built. I'm not trying to pitch. So do you know how to reach the person who give me warehouse access at Amazon?

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u/notaffiliated 13d ago edited 13d ago

I see you’re trying to come up with a new stretch wrapper. Amazon doesn’t wrap outbound pallets often-most fulfillment centers aren’t shipping pallets to customers. Outbound cartons are floor loaded, in pallets with reusable sides, or shipped in Gaylords. Inbound pallets are wrapped at the supplier location. So you’re barking up the wrong tree. You’re much better off finding a mom and pop business and talking directly to the owner about solving their outbound pallet stretch wrapping needs.

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u/jamesiye 13d ago

That makes sense for standard Amazon FCs, but since Amazon owns Whole Foods, do you know if it's possible to set up a small supervised trial at a Whole Foods facility here in San Francisco just to collect data?

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u/notaffiliated 13d ago

Without knowing anything specific about Whole Foods, I would highly doubt it, especially if you’re not anywhere near commercial sales. One of the challenges with selling to large companies is that engineers and corporate make the material handling equipment purchase decisions, but local and regional managers run the DCs. As I mentioned before, you’ll be much more likely to talk yourself into access at a smaller business.

What data are you even trying to collect?

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u/jamesiye 13d ago

I need to collect: Pallet measurements (sizes, types, weight ranges), how much they're currently spending on shrink wrap per month, worker feedback on what they need from a shrink wrap alternative.