Warehousing Insights | Material Handling Systems - Part 22
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How to Add Carton Flow to Pallet Racks

May 21, 2020
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Carton flow tracks set into pallet rack in a distribution center
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.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

The Effect of Work Position on Picking, Assembly, Packing and Shipping

May 14, 2020
by

Lifting boxes in a warehouse

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.

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Posted in Storage, Organization & Workstations|

Into The Unknown – Cold Storage And Covid-19

May 12, 2020
by

cold storage workers

In this new age of Covid-19, many industries are working towards a newer normal for their operations. One industry that is dealing with increased demand and also constant disruption is the food distribution industry. Simply put, there’s just so great of a need as we continue to shelter in place that food production is soaring. With that, storage is key for those online and retail grocers that are trying to satisfy all consumers nationwide.

Cold storage is looking at a massive rise in increased storage space to help those essential businesses keep the food flowing. CBRE Research explored the relationship between e-commerce grocery growth and cold storage warehouse capacity, finding that up to 100 million sq. ft. of industrial freezer/cooler space will be needed to meet the demand generated by online grocery sales in the next five years … but that was before this pandemic started, meaning the additional storage need is greatly accelerated now.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Shoptalk: Choosing the Right Flexible Conveyor Skatewheel

May 7, 2020
by

flexible conveyor steel wheels

In this installment of Cisco-Eagle’s Shoptalk series, Cameron explains how to select the proper skatewheel for your flexible conveyor. You can use flexible conveyors at docks, shipping areas, packing departments and other places where temporary, mobile conveying is needed. You can extend, retract and roll them to fit into spaces where fixed conveyors aren’t practical.

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Posted in Conveyor Optimization|

First-In, First-Out Storage Considerations

May 5, 2020
by

pallet flow system in a distribution center

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?

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Posted in Order Picking & Fulfillment|

Upgrading Automation In The Post Pandemic Era

April 14, 2020
by

automation in action in warehouse

Each day brings new challenges and new considerations for warehousing, distribution and manufacturing operations in the age of Covid-19. One of the chief aspects of this “new normal” is the human element in your business. It’s shut down some operations, and crimped many others. For certain industries, demand has skyrocketed.

Automated solutions have the ability to help you weather the storm — or prepare for the next wave.

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

Keeping Safe Distance With Wire Partitions

April 9, 2020
by

driver cage for safe distancing

Wire partitions are a safe way to provide secure storage for critical inventory, tools and components in any manufacturing or distribution facility. They can be relied upon in a variety of applications to protect inventory and reduce shrinkage.

In the Covid-19 age of social distancing, using cages to enforce distances is a relatively new but critical function. When it comes to protecting your workers, you want to look at all methods. While wire partitions can’t be used in every situation where there’s a need for employee distancing and protection, in some aspects they can certainly help.

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Posted in Security|

A Salute to Warehouse Workers

April 7, 2020
by

orders being packed at a distribution facility

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.

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Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|

How Will Covid-19 Change Distribution?

March 24, 2020
by

packing and scanning area in a distribution facility
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.

  1. The supply chain must function. Food and medical chains are the priority, but all types of other products must still reach Americans.
  2. This work can’t be done remotely. People must staff warehouses and factories.
  3. Like other facilities, the warehouse requires social distance to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and make their workers safe.
  4. 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.

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Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|

Robots and a Safe Environment

March 19, 2020
by

robot worker with safety paneling

In this new age of warehouse or facility labor shortage, more and more companies are turning to automation and robotics to help fill in the gap and increase productivity as well. With e-commerce showing no signs of slowing and innovative supply chains being rewarded, you can bet that companies embracing this new dawn are showing better ROI and efficiency. One aspect of adopting robotic help for your warehouse to review is that of safety. While the overall safe environment you provide to your operations is crucial, when adding robotics or automation to the mix it requires a new set of ideas and priorities to ensure your workers and ‘bots can coexist.

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

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