Warehousing Insights | Material Handling Systems - Part 7
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Increase Vehicle Access With The Right Loading Dock Lift

February 8, 2024

pit mounted dock lift in warehouse behind dock door

I suspect you’ve heard somewhere that your dock is the “lifeblood” of your facility. Certainly, there’s no denying this reality, given that so much consistently flows in and out of this highly charged area. The name of the game is to create the most efficient movements within your dock while also keeping a watchful eye on the safety and security of those within it.

To move more and reap more from that, you want to allow for any type of delivery vehicle to enter and exit. There’s certainly a wide variety, and enhancing your existing physical dock location and limitations is key.

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Posted in Docks & Shipping|

Warehouse Ergonomics and Productivity: an Inseparable Relationship

February 6, 2024

picking conveyor line in a warehouse with heavy beverage loads at waist height
Improving the ergonomics of any warehouse operation may be the single easiest way to improve productivity – and that’s aside from the obvious safety and labor force protection aspects. Consider all the ways people move and work every day, every week, every year. Those repetitive motions take a toll both on the people doing the work and overall productivity. Ergonomics and productivity are not only related: they’re essential to each other.

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Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|

Manufacturing Expansion: Who, What, Where and How?

January 30, 2024

morning cofee and bagel

As we enter 2024, it’s no secret that manufacturing is growing at a nearly unprecedented rate. This cycle has been on the rise for years, and is now accelerating. Beneath the surface, some regions and sectors are growing faster than others. What are the trends we can anticipate in 2024 and beyond?

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Posted in Industry Insights|

Warehouse Automation: The Cost of Doing Nothing

January 18, 2024

automated facility with AS/RS, conveyors and transport system

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.

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

How to Specify Dock Area Pallet Racks

January 9, 2024

Busy warehouse shipping dock with pallets stored in racks and on the floor

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:

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

5 Ways to Help Prevent Forklift-Pedestrian Accidents

December 12, 2023

Forklift driving fast in a production facility.

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. 

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Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|

ROI for Warehouse and Manufacturing Automation: A Panel Discussion

December 5, 2023

WERC North Texas 2023 Automation 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:

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

How to Singulate Products on Your Conveyor System

November 28, 2023

singulation conveyor systems merge multiple lines into single lanes of products

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.

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Posted in Conveyor Optimization|

Warehouse Parking Lot Safety – What Are Your Best Protection Options?

November 16, 2023

Factory parking lot

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!

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Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|

Pallet Rack: Anchoring, Safety and OSHA Compliance Factors

November 9, 2023

heavy duty die storage rack anchored to a concrete warehouse floor.

Warehouses use pallet racks because they maximize storage space, streamline operations, and organize inventory like no other system. We discuss rack safety in depth because it’s so critical for protecting people, property, inventory and facilities. A rack safety fundamental is anchoring: the right anchors, installed correctly, into a subfloor designed for that purpose. Think of the floor-rack connection as the very basis of your rack’s balance and capacity.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

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