People who operate industrial facilities have a difficult task. While the world changes around them, they’re dealing with a static operation that can be difficult to change or revitalize. Sunk costs, funding and organizational inertia can paralyze you at the worst moments. But the reality is that from our supply chains to labor to our customer demand profile, things are always in flux.
Warehouse Automation: The Cost of Doing Nothing
Tags: conveyors, labor management, Robotics, AS/RS
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Cisco-Eagle Announces Strategic Acquisition of Trinity Controls
Dallas, Texas – January 15, 2024 – Cisco-Eagle, a leading material handling systems integration company, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Trinity Controls, an innovative controls engineering company located in Birmingham, Alabama.
Tags: Automation, controls, ESOP
Posted in ESOP & Company News|
OSHA’s Top Violations for 2023
Ensuring workplace safety is a continuous pursuit, particularly in manufacturing and warehousing industries, where risks abound. The annual release of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Top 10 list of the most frequently cited workplace safety violations serves as a beacon for operations to navigate potential hazards.
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
How to Specify Dock Area Pallet Racks
Above: pallet racks are installed both to the side and in front of dock doors in tight space. Palletized loads are floor-staged nearby, further squeezing space.
Warehouse shipping docks are one of the busiest areas in any warehouse. You have the buzz of constant activity as shipments are received or processed out the door, with a mixture of people on foot, forklifts, carts, floor scales, pallets and storage areas. There may be extendable conveyors or other equipment in the same relatively compact footprint. During busy times, it gets more congested and less workable.
It’s also a popular area for palletized storage on, near and around the area. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Tags: Receiving, forklift safety, shipping docks, loading dock safety
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Insights: Manufacturing Construction Boom, Product Loss Prevention
As the holiday season roars in, ecommerce and retail fulfillment operations are both pushed to their limits. What should you be looking for over the next year?
Posted in Industry Insights|
5 Ways to Help Prevent Forklift-Pedestrian Accidents
Every company that operates forklifts struggles with pedestrian safety problems. The issues are well-documented; forklifts are often the most problematic safety machinery in any operation that utilizes them.Â
Tags: plant safety, forklift safety, forklift
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|
ROI for Warehouse and Manufacturing Automation: A Panel Discussion
Above: James Murphy moderates a panel discussion on automation return-on-investment with Mitch Smith of Hytrol, Nils Hart of Muratec and Bryan Gauger of Cisco-Eagle
Cisco-Eagle’s Bryan Gauger joined Mitch Smith of Hytrol and Nils Hart of Muratec for a Warehousing Education and Research Council panel on automation projects return-on-investment. The discussion revolved around ROI factors ranging from labor to safety. Because labor and money are both tight, justifying capital expenditures is more important than ever. Here are the panel’s thoughts on critical ROI issues:
Tags: ROI, Video
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
November 2023 Insights: Warehouse & Manufacturing Injury Rates
This month, we delve into the reported high rates of injury and illness among warehouse workers, and the ways federal agencies are working to address it. Also, a dive into employment markets – where manufacturers and warehouse operators are falling short, and where the sector may be able to pull workers. Plus, we discuss automation’s rebound in 2024, shipping issues, and a bit more.
Posted in Industry Insights|
How to Singulate Products on Your Conveyor System
What is singulation?
Singulation separates and single-lines cartons and other loads into lines as they move on a conveyor. Bulk and parcel applications frequently require singulation. Conveyors and control systems use multi-speed belts, dedicated singulators, skewed rollers and side-driven motors to unscramble multiple lines of products into single-file. Think of singulation as the process of organizing cartons or other loads into a single, neat line for future processing.
Singulation is pivotal for in sorting and organizing materials ranging from boxes to fragile electronics to sturdy automotive components on conveyor systems.
Tags: Automation
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
Warehouse Parking Lot Safety – What Are Your Best Protection Options?
Creating a culture of safety is a high priority (and always ongoing) in any facility that values its operations. Whether it is safer forklift/pedestrian interactions, ergonomic improvements, or machine protection, every warehouse is constantly working to improve the conditions within its walls.
But what about the area outside, say, in the parking lot? Sure, it’s not a glamorous area, but you want to keep your workers safe and secure there too!
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|