Statistics show that the single largest cause of accident and injury in the work place is human error. People sometimes doing things they know they shouldn’t, sometimes not knowing they shouldn’t, and sometimes not doing things they know they should. These are all classic cases of human error. These are the sins of commission (you did it), ignorance (you didn’t know), and omission (you knew but didn’t do what you should have).

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Warehouse security is sometimes slighted – other than perhaps exterior door locks and perhaps alarms. Security professionals will tell you that security is substantially about access to desirable items. How can you limit it? Let’s take a look at security equipment that can reduce temptation and help to keep vandals away from expensive exterior equipment.

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The question people often have when they design warehouse work flow is, “how much can we lift by hand?” The answer to that question isn’t cut-and-dried. It all depends on the angle, the approach, the frequency, weight and reaching/twisting requirements.

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Since Hytrol rolled out the e24™ 24-volt motor conveyor in 2008 at Pack Expo at the Cisco-Eagle booth, we have implemented many projects with the new technology. In fact, it has become 18% of power roller conveyor sales since then. Many manufacturers have copied the concept as well. Its advantages and cost savings are well documented, but this comparison takes it a step farther for several existing types of conveyors.

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Eight hundred exhibitors from industry, commerce, and government. Three hundred thousand feet of supply chain innovations and solutions. One hundred sessions on manufacturing and supply chain trends, technologies, and innovations. There’s a reason why ProMat is considered the largest expo for manufacturing and supply chain professionals in North America. Attending the show offers access to the latest manufacturing and supply chain solutions as well as the opportunity to engage with industry professionals and build business partnerships.

During the week of March 23 – 26, 2015, we traveled to Chicago to get in on the action at ProMat. When we weren’t touring the show floor or attending breakout sessions, we were connecting with industry partners and customers for their insight on this year’s show, as well as some of the broader trends in manufacturing and the future of the industry.

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Victor Joseph Leonard, our former vice president of systems design–and a giant in the material handling industry–passed away Tuesday March 31, 2015.

To his family he was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. To his Cisco-Eagle family, he was the mentor for a generation of conveyor designers, engineers and salespeople. More importantly, he was a friend, a force for change and class individual who will be sorely missed. His wife, Jan preceded Vic in death by only two weeks. They loved going on cruises and spending time with their extended family together.

Vic came to Eagle Material Handling in 1981. We were a very different company at that time than today’s Cisco-Eagle. It is no stretch to say that he transformed us.

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When companies install vertical storage platforms or mezzanines, the hustle and bustle of a busy working day can turn safety processes “soft” – a kind of soft that might lead to a very hard and very expensive landing. Here are some ways you can reduce issue with work platform falls.

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Facility space is expensive—very expensive—so it’s become increasingly important to utilize it to its full potential in any industrial facility. We’ve seen many companies find ways to expand their crowded operation utilizing mezzanines and other elevated work platforms that help seize the vertical cube. There are multiple methods for moving materials between vertical levels, and  vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs) are one of the best.

With an array of carriage types, drives, designs and power sources available, what vertical lift might meet your needs?

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Everyday functions of most warehouses and industrial operations fall within the realm of manual material handling–constant lifting, bending, stretching, reaching, pushing and otherwise manipulating materials by physical force. People are moving cartons, picking orders, reaching for packing materials and performing other tasks. Manual material handling contributes to musculoskeletal disorders, to the tune of more than 500,000 reported annual reported cases of strains and stress in shoulders, backs, arms and legs.

While you can never eliminate it, you can reduce the worst aspects of it. Let’s dive into some ways.

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