Return-on-investment is critical to automation projects, but justification isn’t straightforward. If you’re trying to convince management to make capital improvements to your operation, a smart, accurate and succinct ROI summary can work wonders. Let’s dive into some methods you can use to understand what to do — and what you can’t quantify.
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How to Calculate Automation ROI
October 10, 2019
by Scott Stone
Tags: Automation, labor, ROI, Robotics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Storage Wars: Buying Pallet Rack In The Age Of Tariffs
September 26, 2019
The only constant is change in today’s global economy. Many companies and operations are waiting with bated breath to see which way the prevailing tariff winds will blow. Warehouses are especially on edge about all of this, considering how international supply chains and manufacturing has become.
One area of concern coming up is that of pallet racks. In the past, a facility could take the chance on a lower-cost imported with the understanding that although the quality isn’t the same, costs may be lower. Now, with tariffs looming, what should you look for in thinking of replacing foreign rack?
Tags: Pallet Rack, ROI
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Navigating Your Way to Warehouse Savings
September 10, 2019
Today’s warehouse managers are fighting growing inventory levels, dealing with increased SKUS, and managing higher frequency of tiny orders. Dealing with this daily grind many often have no time to find or fix operational issues. If your company is not fortunate enough to have a team of industrial engineers, you could be missing many opportunities.
Tags: warehousing, ROI, inventory
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
Shoptalk Interview: Seismic Regulations And Your Warehouse
July 18, 2019
Buying standard storage racks for quick-shipment from a manufacturer used to be the norm. You relied on stocked inventory, but this is occurring less and less as racking becomes more specialized and regulations stricter. Today’s storage rack systems are generally considered a building-like element, and as such must meet a slew of regulations.
While these emerging ordinances are continuing to evolve, they can generate considerable headaches for even the most seasoned warehouse manager. You should seek expert guidance from a qualified design professional whenever the racking, foundation, or warehouse infrastructure must accommodate unusual stress, loading, function, or other non-standard factors.
To help you stay up to date with changing requirements and regulation, we discuss how partnering with an expert can help to ensure durable, cost-effective, compliant storage rack with Arlin Keck, an engineer at Steel King Industries, a designer and manufacturer of warehouse storage racks, pallet racks and material handling/safety products since 1970.
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics, rack, Shoptalk, Pallet Rack, warehouse
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
How HVLS Fans Make Warehouse Air Conditioning More Efficient
July 9, 2019
by Scott Stone
A few weeks ago, we analyzed the reasons it’s sometimes impractical for some facilities to install HVAC. Yet, productivity studies spell out the reasons why cooler work environments reduce errors and increase productivity. If your facility already has air conditioning, why would you need to add HVLS fans?
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
What to Do When You Can’t Air Condition Your Warehouse
May 14, 2019
by Scott Stone
If you run a warehouse, you’re keenly aware of how hot and uncomfortable it can get on a scorching July afternoon—and you also know how much that affects your workforce, their comfort, their error rates and their ability to get things done. Installing air conditioning may not be feasible for every industrial facility, but there are alternatives.
Tags: ROI
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
Carousels & Ecommerce
May 8, 2019
Once an afterthought in the warehouse, vertical carousels are being reborn in the omnichannel age as a fulfillment finish line product. Retailers are eyeing carousels to help them aid in customer retrieval of picked orders shipped to a retail location, which is giving the carousel a “moment” as a new last-mile darling.
Whether located in the back of the store for employees to use, or at the front for customers to pick up themselves, vertical carousels are showing to be a good fit for this new age of sales. But don’t sleep on their value in industrial settings or distribution channels.
Tags: vertical carousel, industrial carousels, ecommerce
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
How to Reduce Warehouse Noise
April 16, 2019
by Scott Stone
Anyone who works in a production facility or distribution center knows how loud these places are. The sound of forklifts, the constant whirr of conveyors, the thrum of generators, and the steady beat of all things mechanized can be overwhelming. There are also specific, distracting noise producers, such as small engines, stampers, and generators. Over time, people adapt to this environment, “tuning out” noise as much as possible.
Research from the National Institutes of Health is clear: sound affects productivity. It’s also unsafe on a number of levels for industrial workers.
Tags: conveyors, labor
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
How Heat Saps Warehouse Productivity, Causes Errors and Reduces Retention
April 2, 2019
by Scott Stone
Warehouses, shop floors, and manufacturing facilities can be difficult environments for workers, and heat makes it even harder. Hot days and hard work conspire to reduce productivity and increase errors. We’ve found some research that spells out exactly how much, and have some recommendations to reduce the issues.
Tags: labor, ROI
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
Crossing Conveyor Lines: The Options
March 19, 2019
by Scott Stone
The extensive conveyor lines that snake through many distribution facilities allow operations to transport, buffer and direct loads in a way that takes the best possible advantage of space. These conveyor systems are essentially the core around which a lean, efficient material handling operation is built, but they also create barriers to people moving around the facility since they can block the flow of foot traffic.
Tags: Shoptalk
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|