Out of space? You are not alone. With increasing SKUs and inventory levels, many warehouse operators are staging products in the aisles, using outside storage, and mixing SKUs in locations. All of this lowers labor productivity and impacts quality. So, where is the hidden capacity in your warehouse?
Finding Hidden Warehouse Capacity
Tags: warehouse, warehouse space savings, space saving
Posted in Space Optimization & Planning|
E-Commerce Propels 2019 Distribution Center Metrics Study
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.
Tags: distribution center, warehouse, e-commerce, ecommerce
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
Shoptalk Interview: Seismic Regulations And Your Warehouse
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: rack, Shoptalk, Pallet Rack, warehouse, Safety & Ergonomics
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Load the Barbell: Heavy Lifting Options
When you need to move heavy loads, you want equipment that offers the flexibility of a CrossFitter with the power of a power-lifting beast. Lifting heavy loads is no small feat, and understanding which option will work best for your facility, plant, or warehouse will keep your lifts in good form without sacrificing strength.
Tags: warehousing, warehouse, manufacturing equipment, hoist, chain hoist, cranes, jib crane, gantry crane
Posted in Lifting & Lift Systems|
Climb Towards Ladder Safety
With OSHA statistics showing that every year more than 100 workers are fatally injured of suffering disabling injuries in ladder-related accidents, it makes sense to take time in your facility to educate and train workers on safe ladder operation procedures. This month, the American Ladder Institute (ALI) is sponsoring its annual National Ladder Safety Month to promote ladder safety at work and home.
Tags: warehouse, plant safety, worker safety, safety training, facility safety, safety issues, warehouse accidents
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
Safety When Installing A Foundationless Jib Crane
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|
The Final Frontier – Using Space Efficiently
In a recent article released by the Wall Street Journal, warehouse space was showcased as being at its tightest since 2000. While this should come as no surprise that this issue of space is consistently growing, the rate at which warehouse vacancy is dwindling is far outpacing the increase in new construction. Â In the second quarter of 2018 alone, industrial real estate availability fell to 7.2%. This creates in a unique predicament for those thriving and looking towards expansion, but also provides opportunities for those who can maximize their available footprint.
Tags: Warehouse Management, warehousing, space savings, storage, warehouse, warehouse productivity
Posted in Space Optimization & Planning|
A Detailed Guide to Pallet Rack Decking Types
Pallet rack is a key storage method for effective warehouses, allowing high-cube storage in vertical space along with organizational advantages. When searching for the right pallet rack, you also must consider what decking you want to use with the pallet rack you chose. Each decking option can provide your rack with even more efficiency and storage potential, but which one will work for your rack?
Tags: warehousing, Pallet Rack, pallet racking, warehouse, Warehouse Management
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
E-Commerce and the 3PL – The Benefits of Teaming Up
E-commerce is the driving force for warehouse and shipping industries, so a focus on efficiency of distribution is paramount to gain competitive advantage. Demand is an ever-growing constant, and the movement to appease that demand can produce a strain on an entity wanting to thrive within the E-Commerce world. Multiple factors can either make or break those that want to dive into these waters, but what is an inexperienced company to do? Enter the 3PL, and what it can bring to E-Commerce.
Third-party logistics service providers (3PLs) design their distribution facilities to be flexible and scalable to serve a wide range of clients—capabilities that align well with the needs of growing
E-Commerce ventures. But the advantages don’t stop there. Here’s a look at some of the potential benefits of teaming up with an experienced 3PL:
Tags: 3PL, warehouse, e-commerce, Third Party Logistics
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
Smarter Space in the E-Commerce Landscape
Online sales will account for 17% of all U.S. retail sales by 2022, up from a projected 12.7% in 2017. As you might imagine, warehouses are suffering from a major capacity crunch. Whereas previously warehouses were organized to handle large volumes of each product, E-commerce orders are characterized by a low quantity of many items or just a singular item. In an e-commerce oriented warehouse, huge quantities of SKUs exist, each needing their own specific storage slots.
Warehouse managers know that inventory levels can fluctuate anytime within a sales season, especially during a holiday when inventory levels are typically at their peak, often double or triple normal levels. Plus, because of the Amazon-effect, consumers are demanding more products with faster and better service, putting additional strain on warehouse space. Because of this growth, many businesses are looking for additional space to distribute and store products, but warehouse real estate is hard to find.
What is a retailer to do? The answer for additional space can be found within the four walls of your current operation.
Tags: Order Picking & Fulfillment, warehouse, e-commerce
Posted in Space Optimization & Planning|