Warehousing Insights | Material Handling Systems
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Automation and Space: Conveyor Layouts

February 4, 2025

Conveyor system extends overhead, above a busy shipping area to conserve floor space.

Above: Belt conveyors hang from the ceiling of a busy e-commerce distribution center, feeding shipping operations from a pick module while leaving the space below for traffic and shipping activities.

Conveyor systems transform picking, transport, assembly, and more, but occupy space in fixed positions. Tight layouts, low ceilings, facility structures and equipment compromise and compete for that square footage.   Don’t worry, though—there are creative ways to work circumvent those limitations–and in some cases make them strengths.

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Posted in Conveyor Optimization|

Package Shipping Fee Increases: How to Cope with Surcharges

January 28, 2025

Morning coffee with Cisco-Eagle photo

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Posted in Industry Insights|

OSHA’s Top Violations for 2024

January 23, 2025

OSHA Top 10 Violations 2024

Ensuring workplace safety is an ongoing challenge, especially in fast-paced manufacturing, warehousing, and material handling operations. Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes its list of the most frequently cited workplace safety violations, a snapshot of the most pressing hazards that can lead to injuries and serious fines.

While the list results don’t have many changes from year to year, it’s important to review annually. Comparing your safety processes and training to what’s included can help to create a more robust system that can save lives and protect what matters.

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Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|

Loading Docks, Security and Truck Drivers

January 14, 2025

Truck drivers at the receiving docks of a busy warehouse

Truck drivers often need to enter warehouses when they deliver or pick up shipments. When they do, many warehouses have installed secure driver cages that let the driver into the facility, but not into the building at large. This can seem “driver-unfriendly” because they contain the driver. However, there are good reasons to install them while ensuring drivers have a good experience at your facility.

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Posted in Docks & Shipping|

Double-Post Pallet Rack Systems: When, Why and How

January 7, 2025

Pallet rack system with two posts used for each rack bay

Most pallet rack systems are installed with a starter-adder design, which shares a common rack upright between consecutive storage bays. The alternative is a double-post rack system, where each bay has two independent uprights. Most of the time, starter-adder is used because it’s more economical and uses space more efficiently.

Given that it’s costlier and uses more space, why–and where–would you use a double-post design?

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Kevin Harwell Retires from Cisco-Eagle

January 3, 2025

Kevin Harwell and Cisco-Eagle president Bryan Gauger.

Above: Kevin Harwell and Bryan Gauger

On December 31, 2024, Kevin Harwell retired from Cisco-Eagle after an incredible 33 years of dedicated service. Kevin joined the company in February 1991 and has been an integral part of our success ever since.

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Posted in ESOP & Company News|

How Many Warehouse and Manufacturing Workers are Retirement Age?

December 19, 2024

Cisco-Eagle Notebooks

This month, we’re looking at the growth of workers 65 or older, who choose to stay on the job. They now make up 22% of all American workers. How does that affect manufacturing and distribution operations? What can you do to accommodate these workers? Also: more on packaging automation, manufacturing in Texas and more.

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Posted in Industry Insights|

All Squared Away: Carton Quality

December 17, 2024

worker stacking cardboard boxes

Cartons affect the full sequence of warehousing operations, but are frequently overlooked.

Besides carton sizes, you must also consider carton construction. One box out of square may not matter much; over a whole shipment, un-squared cartons can cause issues up and down the line. They don’t stack well, may not convey correctly and could result in product damage. In fact, you may pay higher shipping costs due to the size, composition and condition of the simplest thing: the carton.

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Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|

Employee Spotlight – Erika Martin

December 12, 2024

Erika Martin

This edition of our employee spotlight focuses on Erika Martin, Payroll & Benefits Specialist in our Dallas office. Discover Erika’s journey from marketing to HR, her dedication to helping others, and the impact of Cisco-Eagle’s employee-owned culture on her work.

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Posted in ESOP & Company News|

How Carousels and VLMs Optimize Space

December 10, 2024

Comparison of vertical lift module vs. racking or mini-load for storage density.

Above: VLMs condense space more efficiently than conventional storage racks, or even mini load systems. They can use the space more effectively because less “air space” is needed for the storage capacity.

Companies install carousel systems and vertical lift modules for many reasons, including flexibility, storage decentralization, operator access, retrieval times, security consolidation and picking accuracy gains. One of the most important reasons is the way they optimize space.

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Posted in Space Optimization & Planning|

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