ploy | Warehousing Insights | Material Handling Systems - Part 7
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Air Conditioner Protection

July 13, 2023

Facility with industrial AC cages to protect equipment

Recently in Tulsa, where I live, we were in the midst of a large power outage due to a violent thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are not at all uncommon in this part of the country, but power outages associated with them are. What made matters worse was that the heat of the summer was just starting to blanket the city as well. As electrical workers are tirelessly repairing the damage, many residents are battling the heat without their biggest weapon, their air conditioning.

For an industrial facility, keeping your workers comfortable and cool is a top priority as the temperatures rise. But what about protecting those investments made to keep your operations cold?

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Posted in Security|

Conveyors: Optimizing the End of the Line

June 13, 2023

Extendable conveyors feed truck loading docks at a distribution center.

Conveyors are primarily a transport mechanism within a facility: they move products from point A to point B to point C. Value is added at all points along the way. They’re the most efficient way to do that, even if that’s the only task they have. However, that’s rarely the only way they’re used. They’re loaded at point A, then transport the load to points of value down the line. Processes are is executed at point B, and something is finalized at point C — at the end of the line. Let’s dive into the ways you can drive value at the end of the line.

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Posted in Conveyor Optimization|

Ways to Optimize Industrial Labor

June 1, 2023

Manufacturing worker on a production line.

73% of warehouse operators said they can’t find enough workers. The National Association of Manufacturers sees shortfalls today, and more in the future: an astonishing 2.1 million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled by 2030. With labor shortages the norm today and for the foreseeable future, how can you optimize, retain and improve labor in your operation?

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Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|

Damaged Pallet Rack: Repair or Replace?

May 11, 2023

Warehouse managers surveying racks for damage and procedure.

Whether you replace or repair pallet rack, it’s always advisable to evaluate the structural integrity and safety of damaged rack components. When you’re considering a repair strategy, you should be aware of the strength and limitations of your options.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

The Right Caster Can Be a Game Changer

May 4, 2023

Casters in an industrial facility

Casters need a moment! They know you don’t think about them in the grand scheme of a facility’s operations. They know they’re overlooked most of the time….until they’re not for all the wrong reasons.

But, if you take some time to get to the ground level of things, you can see that casters keep your warehouse moving forward. Yes, the task they carry out is a simple one (at least from our perspective), but only if you outfit your operations with the right caster solutions. You don’t want reoccurring problems with your casters, either.

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Posted in Material Handling|

Mezzanine Monthly – Why Choose A Shelf Supported Mezzanine

April 18, 2023

shelf supported mezzanine in an order fulfillment operation
Above: Shelf supported mezzanine in a warehouse facility.

Not all warehouse shelving (or storage) options work for every facility. One operation’s pallet rack solution might not be ideal for a warehouse that wants to not only grow vertically but offer more picking options for items they’re selling and shipping. When you need high density storage, what mezzanine option fits best?  Shelf supported mezzanines checks a lot of boxes.

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Posted in Mezzanines & Industrial Platforms|

Targeted Warehouse Automation: Manual Pallet Handling

April 13, 2023

stacking and wrapping pallets with manual processes
While many companies can benefit from full scale automation, the math isn’t the same for everyone. However, labor shortages continue to drive companies to seek ways to reduce dependence on manual processes in specific, labor-intensive functions. What are some areas you should target for partial automation?

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

Shoptalk: EDC Pick Module Expansion

March 14, 2023

In our latest Shoptalk installment, employee-owner Amanda of our Systems Integration Group discusses how EDC upgraded and expanded its pick module operations.

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Posted in Order Picking & Fulfillment|

Pallet Rack Safety: Policies and Practices

March 7, 2023

warehouse manager inspecting a pallet rack in a warehouse.

Operating a warehouse almost always means using pallet racks to take advantage of vertical space and organization of bulk storage. If they’re specified, installed and loaded correctly, racks are usually one of the most stable, effective and safest pieces of warehouse equipment. Because they carry heavy loads on vertical structures, racks should always be evaluated for safety and effectiveness. They’re stable, but that stability can be compromised by any number of factors.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Mezzanine Monthly – Why Choose A Rack Supported Mezzanine

February 21, 2023

rack supported mezzanine in an order fulfillment operation
Above: Rack supported mezzanine in a warehouse facility. Photo courtesy of Unex.

The typical U.S. distribution center is 31.1 feet tall, according to a survey by Statista.  But when more space is needed for operations, mezzanines can be used to create it. Most facilities aren’t fully using that vertical cube, either. Rather than expanding out, you can expand up.  Vertical storage options have options within as well (whoa, that got deep).

Tall racks are frequently deployed to utilize all if that vertical cube. If you have pallet rack, using part of it in the form of a rack supported mezzanine gains more from your vertical cube is an ideal solution. What could a rack mezzanine do for your facility?

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Posted in Mezzanines & Industrial Platforms|

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