In this month’s employee spotlight, we talk to Markus Green, a safety specialist in our Dallas office. Markus leads our safety automation group in solving forklift/pedestrian interaction issues with advanced solutions. With June being National Safety Month, we talked with him about how he approaches safety for his customers.
Posted in ESOP & Company News|
Palletizers are great for higher-volume operations. They increase palletizing speed, increase safety, and build solid, consistent pallets without human intervention. In today’s tough labor market, palletizing is one of the best places to automate and reduce manual involvement. Fully-automated systems come in two basic varieties: conventional and robotic, either of which could be the right fit for your operation.
Tags: Palletizers, Safety & Ergonomics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
There are many ways to transport products vertically in a warehouse or manufacturing operation, each with its distinctive advantages and limitations. These methods can range from extremely basic – a forklift and a pallet – to fully-integrated, automated systems. Vertical conveyors are one of the most common methods for certain loads and situations. What are some of the integration factors for these conveyors, and how can you handle them?
Tags: mezzanine, work platforms, conveyors
Posted in Lifting & Lift Systems|
Insufficient safety measures in warehouse and distribution centers can have severe repercussions, including injuries, operational downtime, product losses, property damages, and potential legal actions. Of particular concern are accidents involving collisions between forklifts or other vehicles and employees or visitors.
Within busy operations, a forklift or other vehicle may eventually run into existing rack. While the rack may not require immediate replacement, storage capacity and product throughput may be compromised for some time. If overloaded, or loaded incorrectly, a rack can also collapse, spilling the inventory to the ground. Employees and visitors must also be protected from vehicle traffic.
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
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.
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
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?
Tags: Manufacturing
Posted in Industry Insights|
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: forklift safety, shipping docks, loading dock safety, Receiving
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
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|
The new age of material handling solutions is bringing many products once unheard of. Whether it’s an automated process designed to ease the burden on employees and improve throughput, or new safety features that increase awareness while removing danger, futuristic improvements are being adopted at an incredible rate.
There are, however, some tried and true methods of ferrying items from one area to another in a facility. Take the pallet dolly….a solution that’s been around forever and stood the test of time (and movement!).
Posted in Material Handling|
Conveyors and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are both used in logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing, but have critical differences in terms of functionality, flexibility, and applications. Neither system is inherently superior to the other based on the use case, situation, load and operational goals. When you need to build a product transport system, they can often work in tandem to create the best solution.
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
