May 2006 Material Handling Tips & Information Newsletter

Improve your packing and manifesting operation with some simple observations

Because the packer is your last employee to touch a shipment before it reaches customers, it's an especially critical position. The packer's work can be the face of your company, and it warrants special attention in a customer-focused order fulfillment operation. He is the last line of defense for preventing incorrect or damaged shipments. Are you giving him the best support system you can, in terms of the packing area, equipment and processes? Here are some steps you can take...

15 Ways Material Handling Can Make Your Operation Safer

A well designed operation with efficient material handling is inherently safer. It helps you reduce risks without increasing your workload. Material handling isn’t the only answer, but it’s more important than you think. Soundly designed storage and continuous flow of parts, product, and assemblies not only puts things where you need them when you need them—it is safer than disorganized (and dangerous) clutter. Intelligent material handling reduces clutter, costly injuries, fuels productivity and slashes costs. We've designed a free PDF report discussing safety based material handling...

Can effective ‘Military Leadership’ translate into effective ‘Civilian or Business Leadership’?

The answer is ‘Yes.’ The real question is ‘How?’ or possibly ‘Why?’ Cisco-Eagle President, Steve Strifler offers some insights on the topic of leadership...

The basics of gravity conveyor

Gravity conveyor provides an economical means of transporting product where the conveyor does not need to be powered. Gravity conveyor is often used in picking or assembly operations where the product or tote is pushed to the next location as required. It can be an integral part of a larger system, providing an energy and money saving alternative to power conveyor in the right application...

From Operations & Fulfillment Magazine: Cross-Docking - Bypassing Storage

The process of moving material from the receiving dock to the shipping dock, bypassing storage, cross-docking reduces inventory carrying costs, transportation costs, and costs associated with order fulfillment and material handling. Holding inventory, moving it, counting it, picking it, and sometimes losing it costs money. While not a solution for everyone, such as those with strict first-in first-out (FIFO) requirements, cross-docking can lead to significant benefits...