Day: September 14, 2015

Ergonomic Equipment Benefits Aging Workforce

America’s workforce is aging. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of workers aged 65 and older increased 101% from 1977 to 2007, nearly twice the rate for total employment — and that doesn’t even reflect the aging Baby Boomer population, the first wave of which is just hitting 65 this year. Slightly more than 50% of older workers now work full-time. From 2006 to 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects older workers aged 55 to 64 to increase by 36% and workers over the age of 65 to increase by 80%.

The graying of America’s workforce means that business and industry will increasingly need to accommodate the physical strength and endurance limitations of older bodies. Ergonomic equipment and practices will become increasingly important, both to protect workers’ health and welfare and to enable workers of variable abilities to perform the same job. Ergonomics allows businesses to fit the job to the person — no matter the worker’s size, age, gender or physical abilities — instead of forcing the worker to torque his body into unnatural and uncomfortable positions to make the equipment work or get the job done.

Manual material handling injuries account for approximately 35% of workers’ compensation claims. Injuries to the back and upper extremities caused by reaching, lifting and carrying result in an estimated 44% of all lost time injuries. As workers age, the risk of injury increases. The bottom line is that without ergonomically-designed equipment and the institution of ergonomic practices at workstations, you can expect your injury rate — and medical/disability costs — to increase as the age of your workforce goes up. However, ergonomic equipment can level the playing field.

Ergonomic equipment that helps to lift, position and move materials and finished products takes the burden off workers, insures worker safety, and increases worker productivity. Ergonomic equipment improves worker safety and productivity when bending, twisting and reaching are required. Ergonomic design can also allow the height and tilt of containers to be adjusted for easier access. Ideally, you should utilize ergonomic principles in every aspect of your workplace operations to promote worker safety and productivity. As a bonus, you’ll build good morale and save money.

DJ Products is the national leader in ergonomically-designed motorized and battery-operated material handling carts and cart movers. We offer a complete line of powerful, compact, ergonomically-designed material handling products for every application. Contact us today for personalized help meeting your material handling needs.

Automated Products Will Lead Future Material Handling Growth

Automation and third world development are expected to drive the 5% annual global growth predicted in the material handling industry, according to a new study released by The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm (see our previous post). Durable goods will continue to lead demand, but opportunities in nondurable goods are also anticipated.

In 2007, durable good manufacturers led global demand for material handling equipment. Over the next five years, material handling growth will be led by a massive worldwide increase in motor vehicle production followed by increased demand for durable consumer goods, particularly electronics. However, rapid scientific and technological advances in nondurable goods, particularly the chemical and food and beverage industries, are also expected to create new demands for material handling products around the world.  

Rapid industrialization in developing countries in Asia, the Pacific, Eastern Europe, Africa, the Mideast and Latin America will increase demand for conventional material handling products such as industrial carts, tugs, trucks, lifts, conveyors, hoists, production line movers, cranes, etc. However, the Freedonia Group expects automated material handling products, including robots and automated guided vehicles (AGV), to post the best gains as industries in the U.S., Western Europe and Japan move to increase automation. Software, systems design, project management and other high-end services to these markets are also expected to post significant increases. Economic and manpower issues will drive the march toward automation and increased productivity in western markets with an emphasis on automated equipment and systems that can be easily integrated into large-scale automated factory and warehouse environments. 

High fuel prices, environmental concerns and worker health and safety issues will also play an increasing roll in shaping material handling demand, particularly in U.S. markets. The current shift away from fuel-intense gas-powered trucks to more energy-efficient battery-operated material handling movers and tugs that was sparked by high fuel prices is expected to accelerate. Escalating medical, insurance and workers’ compensation costs will likewise drive a move toward ergonomically designed material handling equipment and systems.

Global Competition Requires New Strategies

Not so long ago some were predicting the death knell of U.S. manufacturing. As the recession brought Detroit’s Big Three to their knees, put the brakes on consumer spending, forced massive layoffs and shuttered cash-strapped plants across the country, American manufacturing seemed to be in its death throes. But as they say, what doesn’t kill us makes us strong. Strong competitors assimilated weak ones. Loose financial and operational practices were tightened. Costs and expenses were pared down. From the assembly line to the board room, American manufacturers are running a tighter ship — and it seems to be paying off. Manufacturing declines have been slowing since December. In July new orders resulted in the biggest production jump in more than two years. Customers are beginning to restock and assembly lines are running again. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter; but there is concern that unless U.S. manufacturers make major changes to their business model, the light could still go out. 

A recent national study found U.S. manufacturers distressingly unprepared to compete in an increasingly global economy. Conducted by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition in conjunction with Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Next Generation Manufacturing Survey polled more than 2,500 U.S. manufacturers. The report identified six essential next generation strategies manufacturers must adopt to compete successfully in global markets:

  • Customer-focused innovation
  • Talent recruitment, development and retention
  • Systemic continuous improvement
  • Supply chain management and collaboration
  • Sustainable product and process development
  • Global engagement

More than 25% of American manufacturers — over 90,000 firms — were considered at risk because of their inability to meet world-class achievement levels in any of the six strategies. Unless U.S. manufacturers are able to adopt next generation strategies, America may not be able to compete in global markets.

U.S. Manufacturing Faces Dangerous Crossroads

One of the realities brought home by the worldwide recession is the fact that the economy truly has gone global. Manufacturers who fail to adjust their business models and adapt will be unable to compete. Many believe American manufacturing is at a crossroads. Driven by 282,000 small and midsize manufacturers — the backbone of U.S. industry — many of which lack the resources to meet the demands of global competition, American manufacturing must step up to the plate or find itself struck out by better prepared foreign competitors.

In our August 21 post, we talked about six essential next generation strategies identified by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition from a survey of 2,500 U.S. manufacturers. An online article on the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) website pointed out several of the most challenging threats to the viability of U.S. manufacturing revealed by the Next Generation Manufacturing Survey.

  • Too few manufacturers, only 28%, recognized the importance of global positioning. The days when the U.S. dominated world manufacturing are gone. The torch has passed to China, India and other emerging powerhouses. The reality is that market demand, talent pools and competitive opportunities are growing outside U.S. borders and declining within. The greatest opportunities lay in forming global alliances.
  • Too many U.S. manufacturers failed to recognize the growing importance of green operations and sustainable product and process development. Only 16% of survey respondents considered eco-friendliness important to their success with a like percentage denying its relevance. The reality is that consumer demand for green and sustainable products is increasing. Government regulation will mandate change if manufacturers fail to adapt.
  • U.S. manufacturers are clinging too tightly to the old management from the top down model. Too few manufacturers are taking competitive advantage of the opportunity to partner with employees, suppliers, even competitors. Less than half of survey respondents engaged employees in improvement efforts; less than a quarter sought supplier input. The reality is that productivity and innovation improve when employees, suppliers and customers are fully engaged. Future success will belong to the collaborators, not the mavericks.

The majority of American manufacturers seem to have stuck their heads in the sand rather than face the challenges of the future. Those who deny the future are apt to be buried by it.

Trailer Mover Is RV, Boat Storage Workhorse

Summer is winding down and we’ve already felt the first breath of fall in our neck of the woods. Still time for a few more weekends at the lake, but it won’t be long before folks are hauling their boats out of the water and cleaning out their RVs for winter storage. Getting these expensive mega toys tucked in for the winter used to be a herculean task. All decked out with the latest features, these babies are heavy. It required a couple of burly guys and a lot of muscle and straining to push and pull these vehicles around the storage lot or boat yard and maneuver them into their winter berths. Then the recreational industry discovered DJ Products’ versatile TrailerCaddy trailer mover. 

Originally designed to maneuver large, heavy cargo trailers and trailered equipment short distances around factory lots and storage facilities, DJ Products’ versatile TrailerCaddy trailer mover has found a new fan base in the recreational vehicle and boating industries. Using DJ Products’ motorized trailer mover, a single operator can easily move hefty RVs and boats into place in RV storage lots and boat yards. Tricky maneuvering in tight spaces is effortless with the compact, ergonomically-designed TrailerCaddy. Move forward or backward smoothly from a full stop to 3 mph with a turn of the handy twist-grip control handle. Maximum operator control and compact size minimize potential damage to surrounding vehicles, even in tightly confined areas like stacked storage facilities, dealer showrooms, repair bays and trade show displays. Ergonomic design minimizes the risk of potential muscle strain, making it possible for a single employee of any size, strength or gender to move vehicles with equal ease.

Click here for complete information about DJ Products’ versatile TrailerCaddy trailer mover and to watch a video of the trailer move in action.

Frugality Is New Business Reality

The nation’s economic gurus may have declared the recession over, but they’re warning businesses and consumers alike that recovery could continue for years. And we shouldn’t expect things to get back to the way they were — ever! The country is going through a major reset. After decades of inflated prices, inflated egos and inflated dreams, we’ve had to face the cold, harsh realities of life and — we hope — the experience has left us wiser and a little more wary of falling into the same pit again. The smaller employee pools, tighter resource management and lean production practices developed out of necessity during the recession are here to stay. Frugality is the new reality.

The frugal measures taken to keep American businesses from sinking will help us swim leaner, faster and farther in the post-recession marketplace. Having found that we can function and compete in a frugal environment, businesses are expected to use that new-found frugality to give themselves a competitive edge, using less to produce more. Sure it means that everyone will continue to work harder and do more; but that’s what it’s going to take to compete successfully in the new, tougher post-recession marketplace.

Smart business owners will seek out equipment that allows them to make more productive use of their more limited post-recession workforce. Material handling products like DJ Products ergonomically-designed CartCaddys allow a single worker to perform lifting and transporting tasks that it takes two or more workers to do manually. Because ergonomic design enables multiple workers of any size, shape or physical ability to perform the same task without risk of injury, DJ Products carts, tugs and movers allow employers to maximize use of their workforce. Eco-friendly, battery-operated motorized carts decrease fuel costs while cutting downtime and maintenance costs. And adoption of ergonomic equipment significantly reduces medical and workers compensation costs while letting your workers know you value their health and safety.

Get Ready. Cap and Trade Is Coming

Cap and trade is not going to go away. Seen as a cornerstone of the national movement to cut carbon emissions from greenhouse gases, a cap and trade program is expected to have the greatest impact on manufacturers and supply chain partners but no business or individual will be immune from the drive to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Scientific reports detailing life-threatening scenarios of potential climate disaster and irreparable damage to the planet have spurred President Obama and his team to demand action this year on environmental regulations now moving through Congress.

In June, the U.S. House narrowly passed (219 to 211) the green-energy climate bill HR 2454, referred to by press and public as the Cap and Trade Bill. Heated debate has ensued in the Senate which may or may not bring the matter to a vote before the year ends, despite presidential pressure. Senators, particularly those representing agricultural and coal states, are understandably wary of the potential economic repercussions cap and trade could have on already suffering businesses, particularly manufacturers. Although Congress may drag its feet for another year, most analysts agree that cap and trade will eventually become law.

Savvy businesses are already implementing green programs to curb energy use and switch from gas and diesel-powered equipment to clean energy battery and electric-powered material handling equipment. Even small changes like moving from power-chomping forklifts to green battery-powered motorized carts and powered tugs can add up to a significant plus on your carbon emissions balance sheet. Ergonomically-designed electric material handling equipment like DJ Products’ innovative CartCaddies kills two birds with one stone. They respond to government efforts to reduce carbon emissions and increase worker safety. Win-win! 

2009 Ends on Material Handling High Note

2009 seemed like the year that would never end. For manufacturers, the bad news just kept on coming. But hope seems to have finally struggled above the horizon. From the depths of last winter’s discontent, 2009 has risen to end on a high note for material handling manufacturers and, indeed, most U.S. manufacturers. Reports indicate that U.S. manufacturing has finally turned the corner, and we can expect 2010 to be a far more productive and more profitable year. Break out the champagne!

The fourth quarter of 2009 saw strong manufacturing growth. With the job market showing signs of stabilization and housing prices beginning to climb toward normal, November brought a cautious increase in consumer spending. Manufacturing benefitted from increased orders for durable goods during the fourth quarter as customers started restocking their shelves. While durable goods orders in November were less than robust, they were twice the amount forecast by economists. Overall, the U.S. economic picture looks hopefully optimistic for the first time since the recession hit.

“We are seeing progress in a number of areas, from increases in consumer spending and business spending to growth in exports,” Brian Bethune, an economist at IHS Global Economics told the Associated Press last week. “It all adds up to a recovery that is gaining some momentum.”

Bethune and other economists are predicting a 4% annual rate of economic growth (as measured by gross domestic product) for the final quarter of 2009. In addition to durable goods, particularly a growing increase in high ticket items, industrial growth into the new year is expected to come from increased equipment and software purchases. Ergonomic material handling equipment sales are expected to increase as manufacturers and business owners seek out ways to increase worker productivity and decrease healthcare costs. Expected new regulatory requirements aimed at protecting worker health and safety are also expected to drive up sales of ergonomic carts and tugs.

Working in the Crowd

Some positions require material handling equipment that is powerful enough to tackle heavy loads reliably, but that is small and easily maneuvered to where it can weave in and out of tight corners among crowded areas.

Consider feeding times in places like hospitals, nursing homes and institutions – many of the residents of these environments are incapable of visiting a cafeteria so there food must be delivered.  In buildings that have potentially thousands of residents who are on a tight schedule, feeding time can be a very busy time.  Individually carrying meals to the residents is completely impractical, but large manual carts could be too cumbersome to move throughout hallways where there will be residents/patients and other members of the staff constantly moving.

These aren’t atmospheres where the hallways can be tied up for extended periods of time for food service; meals need to be delivered on schedule, quickly and without blocking access to other areas of the unit.

This is where equipment like the Parts CaddyLite from DJ Products becomes a necessity.  This super efficient, quiet and powerful little cart is easy enough to maneuver that even crowded hospital hallways are easily navigated.  Food and supplies can be easily delivered without interfering with other necessary operations and without causing any excess noise that could potentially disrupt residents or patients.

The Parts CaddyLite is easy to use and designed with both efficiency and safety in mind.  With a variable speed adjustment, the job can be completed as quickly as is necessary, but without putting anyone’s safety at risk and the battery is capable of lasting for two whole shifts on a single charge – so reliability will never be an issue.  If your business requires that your employees be capable of delivering goods on time, without fail in an environment that has close quarters and crowds – the Parts CaddyLite will deliver every time.

Making the Assembly Line Safer and More Efficient with a Vehicle Pusher

Manufacturers of cars, buses trucks and trailers have different assembly line obstacles than most other factories.  With each and every necessary component that gets added on to these large and cumbersome products, the heavier and less manageable they tend to become.  Trying to move an unfinished truck, bus or trailer manually could result in serious injury and trying to move them without a properly designed piece of equipment could result in damage to the vehicle before assembly is even complete – that’s where a vehicle pusher comes in.

DJ Products makes a vehicle pusher for just about every situation, in the assembly line, on the sale lot and the in mechanics’ shop.  DJ Products has a vehicle pusher specifically designed to wheel heavy trailers around a dealership, crowded lot or down the assembly line that will greatly lessens the chances of accidents and injuries.  The trailer pusher allows a single employee to easily handle a camper, RV, boat or just about any other towable piece of equipment weighing thousands of pounds without any undue stress or strain and without any hassle.

An automobile dealership couldn’t succeed if they didn’t have their cars and trucks kept in prime conditions.  DJ Products has vehicle pushers that can handle everything from the smallest compacts to the biggest pick-ups and each vehicle pusher from DJ Products is ergonomically designed for the safest and simplest operation possible.  This equipment can help dealerships keep their lots stocked to full capacity without worrying about any damage to the cars and trucks as they are being moved.

Any damage to a car, truck or camper decreases its value so manufacturers and dealers must make every effort to keep their automobiles in the best possible condition from the beginning of assembly through to their placement on the lot.  The easiest way to prevent possible damage while moving an automobile is with the use of a high quality and properly designed vehicle pusher.