ploy | Warehousing Insights | Material Handling Systems - Part 17
Cisco-Eagle Logo

Storage Wars: Buying Pallet Rack In The Age Of Tariffs

September 26, 2019

Pallet Rack

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?

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: ,
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Navigating Your Way to Warehouse Savings

September 10, 2019

warehouse

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , ,
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|

E-Commerce Propels 2019 Distribution Center Metrics Study

August 6, 2019

distribution center dock area

The annual DC Velocity/WERC (Warehousing Education and Research Council) DC Metrics Survey is out for 2019. This research is conducted every year and offers us insight into what measurements are most critical according to DC managers. As we know, the only constant is change, and this year showcases how e-commerce pushed accuracy and capacity to the forefront of DC managers’ minds.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|

Hytrol Relationship Focus: EDC’s Order Fulfillment System

August 1, 2019


Cisco-Eagle designed and implemented a modern order fulfillment system for Educational Development Corporation that dramatically increased order picking speed, reduced errors and allowed the company to expand. In this video, EDC’s Randall White, Jimmy Cleveland and Craig White explain why partnership with Cisco-Eagle and Hytrol was so critical to the project’s success.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Conveyor Optimization|

Shoptalk Interview: Seismic Regulations And Your Warehouse

July 18, 2019

ASRS

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

How HVLS Fans Make Warehouse Air Conditioning More Efficient

July 9, 2019

HVLS Big Ass Fan in an industrial facility

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?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|

What to Do When You Can’t Air Condition Your Warehouse

May 14, 2019

hot warehouse with sunlight

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags:
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|

Carousels & Ecommerce

May 8, 2019

Vertical Carousels
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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , ,
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

How to Reduce Warehouse Noise

April 16, 2019

manufacturing worker with earplugs

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: ,
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|

How Heat Saps Warehouse Productivity, Causes Errors and Reduces Retention

April 2, 2019

shop floor in heat
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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: ,
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|

Read our customer reviews