A few years ago, I looked out a Chicago hotel room window at the sub-roof of a skyscraper hotel. A long run of pipes and air ducts cut the roof in half, so that anyone who needed to work on it would have to walk a long way around or climb over. Since there were obvious points of maintenance and other equipment on both sides of the obstructions, I’m guessing that maintenance workers were doing exactly that. They needed a crossover, and a roof top isn’t the easiest place to install one, particularly post-construction.
How to Position Crossovers on Rooftops
June 9, 2020
by Scott Stone
Tags: Space Optimization
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
How to Add Carton Flow to Pallet Racks
May 21, 2020
by Scott Stone
Above: flow storage installed on pallet rack beams in a distribution center
To increase warehouse productivity, reducing the time it takes for people to execute a task is always going to pay off. One way to do that is to concentrate on picking areas so that people are able to get what they need faster and more efficiently. A common gravity flow application is to mount shelves of flow storage on pallet rack so you can mix & match gravity flow and bulk pallet storage in the same structure for both existing and new rack systems.
Whether you’re adding flow storage to an existing rack system or building it from new, this guide should help you get started.
Tags: order fulfillment, picking
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
The Effect of Work Position on Picking, Assembly, Packing and Shipping
May 14, 2020
by Scott Stone
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a common reported source of missed or restricted work in America. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, WMSDs account for over 33% of all worker compensation costs.
Tags: workstations, ergonomics
Posted in Storage, Organization & Workstations|
First-In, First-Out Storage Considerations
May 5, 2020
by Scott Stone
Above: a distribution center pallet flow application enforces FIFO picking protocol
In the age of eCommerce, fast shipping and obsolescence, first-in/first-out (FIFO) storage strategies are critical tools. Some products fit the mold (food, perishables, some electronics, medicines and many other retail goods), while other types of inventory are more about storage density and efficiency. The question is, what type of storage strategy works best for you? And what types of storage systems should you use?
Posted in Order Picking & Fulfillment|
A Salute to Warehouse Workers
April 7, 2020
by Scott Stone
During the Covid-19 crisis, many office workers are sheltering in place. They’re working through conference calls, web meetings and mobile technology. They are also ordering groceries and other staples and having it delivered to their doors to help prevent the spread of the virus. They’re hitting retail stores. All of this is helping reduce future cases of the virus.
It’s also straining the retail and eCommerce supply chains, and someone has to fill those orders: The warehouse worker.
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
How Will Covid-19 Change Distribution?
March 24, 2020
by Scott Stone
We don’t know what the next month holds, much less the rest of 2020 and beyond when it comes to Covid-19, but we know changes are coming. However, several things are known in the current situation.
- The supply chain must function. Food and medical chains are the priority, but all types of other products must still reach Americans.
- This work can’t be done remotely. People must staff warehouses and factories.
- Like other facilities, the warehouse requires social distance to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and make their workers safe.
- The supply chain must be safe for its workers and its consumers.
We’ve put together some ideas that may help you as the situation evolves.
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
5 Pallet Rack Accessories that Make Your Racks Safer and More Efficient
March 17, 2020
by Scott Stone
How can you turn part of your rack into a different type of storage? What kinds of safety equipment can you install to prevent damage, maintain flue space or eliminate falling items? Let’s take a look at some options.
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
When to Transport Loads with Overhead Conveyor Systems
March 10, 2020
by Scott Stone
Overhead conveyors are an efficient way to transport products on an assembly line or in a distribution facility. For the right load in the right situation, they’re the most economical and efficient way to convey products. What are some of the characteristics of a good overhead load?
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
How to Conduct a Warehouse Audit
March 3, 2020
by Scott Stone
Warehouse managers are always interested in ways to optimize and measure their success. Usually these discussions revolve around measuring outcomes–pick rates, errors, ship rates, damage, etc. In any walk of life, it’s good to take some time to reflect on the overall state of your work, and that’s what a warehouse audit should do.
Let’s dive into some things you should measure and how you should get started.
Tags: ROI
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
Protecting Forklift Loads & Pallets
February 11, 2020
by Scott Stone
Companies spend a great deal of time and energy protecting people and assets in their warehousing operations, but one aspect of it that can be difficult is forklift load protection. Once a load is on the forklift, what can you do to reduce the chances of forklifts damaging your product?
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|