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ROI for Warehouse and Manufacturing Automation: A Panel Discussion

December 5, 2023
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WERC North Texas 2023 Automation Panel Discussion

Above: James Murphy moderates a panel discussion on automation return-on-investment with Mitch Smith of Hytrol, Nils Hart of Muratec and Bryan Gauger of Cisco-Eagle

Cisco-Eagle’s Bryan Gauger joined Mitch Smith of Hytrol and Nils Hart of Muratec for a Warehousing Education and Research Council panel on automation projects return-on-investment. The discussion revolved around ROI factors ranging from labor to safety. Because labor and money are both tight, justifying capital expenditures is more important than ever. Here are the panel’s thoughts on critical ROI issues:

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

Automation: Starting with a Clean Slate

October 10, 2023
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manual and robotic palletizing.

How should your next automation project be evaluated? In many cases, companies try to replicate a manual processes through automation: if a person once rotated a tote, then picked from it and placed the contents into a container, that’s what the automation does. This kind of solution can provide excellent results, but may not be the optimal solution. What if you began with operational goals in mind that imagine a solution without the manual process?

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

Buffers, Conveyors, Robotics and Automation: What Works, What Doesn’t

October 3, 2023
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conveyor system with cartons accumulating as a buffer.

Most every manufacturing or distribution facility builds in storage and handling buffers – and for good reason. Buffers hold product or processes when work flow isn’t balanced. For instance, a conveyor buffer may exist between picking and packing operations. This allows picking to continue even if the packing, quality control or shipping departments are backed up. Buffers maintain balance between functions and ensure continuity.

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

Ways to Optimize Industrial Labor

June 1, 2023
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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
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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|

How to Reduce Conveyor Headaches, Repair Costs and Downtime

June 16, 2022
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conveyor service

We spoke with Tim Harris, our manager of Field Services Group. Tim’s expertise when it comes to conveyors – and how to keep them running tip-top – is unparalleled. Tim and the Field Services group maintains many miles of conveyors from virtually every manufacturer, in just about every environment. Here’s what he had to say.

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Posted in Conveyor Optimization|

When is an ASRS System a Good Fit?

November 18, 2021
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Muratec unit load pallet handling ASRS system in action.

Automated storage and retrieval systems are becoming more commonly deployed in today’s modern distribution, manufacturing and warehousing facilities because they make more sense than ever in an age of escalating demand and declining labor availability. Is space tight? What are the error rates throughout fulfillment? What kind of space issues do you see moving forward? What are the safety and ergonomic concerns?

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

How Simulation Adds Value to Material Handling Systems Specification

November 3, 2020
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screenshot from material handling automation program

As we’ve discussed automating anything as complex as a large scale material handling process has risks, but there are ways understand the outcome better in advance and reduce any risks. It’s always good to have more data, and simulation plays into that scenario by giving you a view of what key systems, technology and process will interact in your system, with your loads.

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

What Is The Cisco-Eagle Difference?

September 10, 2020
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Warehouse

You have plenty of options when searching for an organization to help you build, expand or enhance your facility. These options all have roughly the same products and services. Often, you can buy the same exact equipment and brands from a number of sources. When that’s the case, why would you choose Cisco-Eagle over the alternatives?

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

How to Conduct a Warehouse Audit

March 3, 2020
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warehouse being audited by a manager
Warehouse managers are always interested in ways to optimize and measure their success. Usually these discussions revolve around measuring outcomes–pick rates, errors, ship rates, damage, etc. In any walk of life, it’s good to take some time to reflect on the overall state of your work, and that’s what a warehouse audit should do.

Let’s dive into some things you should measure and how you should get started.

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Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|

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