Pick modules are commonly used in distribution operations when companies need to build high-density, high-throughput order fulfillment operations. This typically involves a multi-level platform system integrated with vertical storage options to move finished orders on and off platform levels toward other warehouse destinations.

One overlooked aspect is the addition or removal of empty cartons to picking positions. What are your options?

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In the cold and frozen food sector, tremendous growth combined with a serious shortage of capacity is severely constraining companies today. “The frozen food market is currently experiencing remarkable growth, with its global value soaring to $265 billion. In the U.S. alone, new frozen food sales have impressively surpassed the $72 billion mark,” states Rick Kingery in the Colliers’ article “Capitalizing on the $265 Billion Frozen Food Market: Cold Storage’s Crucial Role.”

Adding to the challenge, “We estimate the U.S. will need up to 100-million-square-feet of additional cold storage space in the coming years,” states Marty Khait in an article posted on the Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Magazine website, “The Cold Reality: Why America’s Cold Storage Capacity is Running Low.”

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Your pallet flow system produces a smooth, orderly process first-in, first out product flow. To ensure it performs, regular inspections and timely repairs are essential. Although pallet flow systems typically require minimal maintenance, proper employee training and consistent checks can help avoid misuse and prolong the life of your equipment. Pallet flow systems are built to flow heavy pallets from infeed to picking, using brakes and dampeners. Over time, these components must be inspected, maintained or even replaced for optimum, safe performance.

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Mezzanines are a tried and true method of increasing space usage in your facility. We’ve all seen a warehouse tap into its vertical cube by adding a mezzanine or pick module solution. The results are increased storage and product movement while gaining more control of unused areas.

Once you’ve got a mezzanine in place, the journey to more efficiency doesn’t end! With an existing mezzanine, you want to consider all avenues of movement when on it or when transporting to it. Enhancing these methods only increases the ROI of your investment, while helping throughput. With this in mind, how your workers access your mezzanine is a prime area for consideration.

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Building a more ergonomic material handling operation almost always equates to building a more efficient one. People who don’t need to bend, strain or lift as often are usually more effective, faster and less prone to injury. If it takes energy or time to turn, lift or maneuver a load, it’s this simple: you’re losing productivity. Many companies use scissor lift tables to help them lift heavy and bulky loads and can make the process even better by understanding what happens when that load reaches its desired height.

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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?

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You’ve seen them pass so close in your facility it stopped you cold. Keeping forklifts and pedestrians from collision (or even close encounters) is a critical element of safety within any facility that uses both. Creating a safe culture that improves these interactions is the goal of any team, and there are many solutions available.

Outfitting your workers and trucks with proximity warning systems is a solution designed to improve these interactions. These systems are a crucial component of occupational safety strategies, significantly diminishing the likelihood of accidents and incidents between pedestrians and vehicles, and effectively fostering a culture of heightened safety awareness among employees

As proximity warning systems evolve, they now boast new features. Notably, some are exploring dual detection zones, with the thought of extra protection. This innovation prompts us to question: does an extra detection zone boost accident prevention effectiveness?

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Beverage handling systems have always been challenging. Cartons of expensive wine and liquor are heavy – and dense. And prone to damage. Sometimes these loads can be perishable and need to move fast through a system from picking to packing. The need to serve both retail and ecommerce customers from the same facility also complicates these design challenges.

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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.

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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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