Coverage of issues relating to automation, labor management, material handling, inventory shrinkage, and labor issues for industrial facilities and the people who operate them.
October Insights: The “Robot Tax”, Worker Concerns with Automation
October 26, 2023
by Scott Stone
Tags: Automation, Manufacturing, labor, Robotics, Inventory Management
Posted in Industry Insights|
Insights: Tips from ProMat 2023 on Automation, Storage Strategies
May 30, 2023
by Scott Stone
This month, we dive into some of the best presentations presented at ProMat 2023, where our own Bryan Gauger and Steel King’s Ryan Wachsmuth teamed up to present tips for storage and practical automation. Muratec’s Scott Matlock dove deep on automation and humanization principles. Also, more on Texas Manufacturing, digital warehousing and more.
Tags: warehousing, Manufacturing, AS/RS
Posted in Industry Insights|
Insights: Expectations for Automation; Industrial Production Statistics
April 27, 2023
by Scott Stone
This month, we dive into supply chain and the ongoing impact of labor shortages in the sector from Supply Chain Executive. If you’re interested in evaluating your warehouse, WERC has a program we cover, as well as a dive into American industrial output in early 2023.
Tags: Manufacturing, Dallas, industrial
Posted in Industry Insights|
Insights: Automated Systems & Machine Guards, Deep Lane Flow Testing
February 28, 2023
by Scott Stone
This month, we’re covering the need to protect workers against increasingly common accidents involving automated machinery, the design of deep lane pallet flow, the “tipping point” for automation and more in the world of manufacturing, distribution and warehousing.
Tags: Pallet Rack, Manufacturing, Automation
Posted in Industry Insights|
Download Our Guide To Warehouse Security
March 4, 2021
Every facility fights a constant battle to keep its equipment and product safe and secure from theft. You want to maintain access for high-value items while also limiting availability to only those that really need to handle them. Our new guide to industrial security is here to help you find the right security options to fit your operations.
Tags: warehousing, Manufacturing
Posted in Security|
Conveyors in Difficult Environments
May 2, 2019
by Scott Stone
Conveyors are essential for manufacturing operations, but in some areas where they are exposed to dust, airborne debris, moisture or chemicals, there may be issues with their mechanical components. These environmental factors impact performance, equipment lifespan, maintenance burdens and safety, but can be dealt with if the conveyor is properly designed, used and maintained. Let’s dive into these issues.
Tags: Manufacturing, ergonomics
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
Safety When Installing A Foundationless Jib Crane
January 17, 2019
You want to move heavy loads safely and effectively while also keeping your solution economical and efficient. Consider the Jib Crane, and effective tool in your warehouse arsenal that will hold its own and can interface with a wide variety of workstations and functions.
Foundationless Jib cranes offer versatility and economic savings, as they are bolted directly to an existing concrete floor and don’t require a concrete foundation. Using the existing floor means that you don’t need to install a costly special foundation, plus you can install and use the system sooner because you don’t need to wait for concrete to cure. Existing floor use also makes sense for smaller capacity and shorter span jib cranes. With that said, there are multiple concrete considerations before you install a foundationless jib crane. The key, is your installation.
Tags: warehousing, Manufacturing, industrial safety, warehouse, Safety & Ergonomics, cranes, jib crane
Posted in Lifting & Lift Systems|
Warehouse Robotics – How to Apply Them to Your Needs
May 3, 2018
While warehouse robotics can be thought of as too futuristic, there are many e-commerce fulfillment applications being installed today that are set up to take full advantage of all they have to offer a facility. Some may be leery of this technology, but it would be a mistake to say that robotics would never apply to your warehouse.
Today’s robotic applications are all based on existing applications and technology, not uncharted research, and each generation of technology gets cheaper. Here are some important considerations when looking at applying warehouse robotics today.
Tags: e-commerce, Robotics, warehouse flow, Manufacturing
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
So You’ve Decided To Automate Your Facility. What Next?
February 22, 2018
With the rapid increase of the pace of manufacturing and distribution, facilities that automate manual processes will increase their ROI and grow their bottom line. Customer demand is ever increasing, right along with the costs to service that demand. You want your warehouse to deliver faster and more efficient results without sacrificing production. You’re looking at automating components within your facility to produce this change. But how can you really get started?
Tags: warehouse productivity, Warehouse Management, warehousing, Material Handling, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, distribution center, e-commerce
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Digital OSHA Incident Reporting: Mandatory and Coming Soon
December 5, 2016
by Scott Stone
If you are a safety or EHS director, you probably knew this was coming: starting January 21, 2017 certain companies will be required to electronically submit their injury and illness data. This is data these companies should already be keeping, so the requirement isn’t so much about new record keeping as it is updated methodology.
Tags: regulations, warehousing, sospes, ecommerce, OSHA, 3PL, Manufacturing, software, Third Party Logistics, construction, safety issues, compliance
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|