Day: January 13, 2019

The “Need for Speed” Hits Supply Chains – What to Know

The "Need for Speed" Hits Supply Chains - What to Know
The “Need for Speed” Hits Supply Chains – What to Know

With Amazon, Target, and the like offering increasingly faster shipping times at little to no additional cost to entice customers, the pressure is on. Those moving goods from the docks via terminal tractors, toting it via tractor trailer, and delivering door-side are all under a time crunch. As the ‘need for speed’ becomes increasingly pressing, how can your business keep up the pace?

Five Supply Chain Logistics Tips for Meeting ‘Instant Gratification’ Needs:

1. Get Closer

Instead of one large distribution center, consider a number of smaller centers to place yourself closer to customers/shippers and speed the flow.

2. Invest in the Right Equipment

Instead of constantly waiting on hostlers, invest in terminal tractors that can be driven by any employee – no CDL or Health Card required. Not only do these motorized trailer dollies offer faster movement, but they improve safety and control, reducing the risk of injury and damage.

3. Make Friends

If you’re a smaller firm, increase your shipping range with the help of a partner, such as local couriers or ShipBob. This nationwide service holds goods in its warehouses, picking, packing and shipping them for small-to-medium sized companies to nearby consumers, shrinking shipping times.

4. Embrace Tech

This includes a number of recent innovations, including:

– Data analytics for better planning.

– Visibility tools that allow you to quickly identify what/where your inventory is.

– Internet of Things (IoT) tools that enable better inventory tracking, segmentation, and placement.

– Predictive analytics to uncover disruptions before they occur.

5. Automate

Sorters, conveyors, and robots are a great way to speed up a range of distribution and fulfillment processes, as are autonomous vehicles.

Running behind? Get your supply chain running a little faster with the help of terminal tractors from DJ Products today.

Beyond the Dumpster: The Interesting Ancient History of Recycling and Garbage, Part Two

Beyond the Dumpster: The Interesting Ancient History of Recycling and Garbage
Beyond the Dumpster: The Interesting Ancient History of Recycling and Garbage

Following the 1940s, as the buildup of waste increased alongside environmental concerns, the need for better dumpster moving equipment and recycling became increasingly apparent.

1950s

Consumers are sold on the idea that single-use items are a necessity of modern life. Ease and convenience trump all restraint and the ‘throwaway era’ is born. Green space and highways become littered with trash.

1960s

Aluminum cans are introduced, with manufacturers quickly identifying opportunities for recycling/reuse, resulting in a massive recycling system. The symbol for ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’, the Mobius Loop, is introduced to raise environmental awareness.

1970s

The first Earth Day brings attention to the overabundance of waste and importance of recycling. The ‘Bottle Bill’ is born, enticing consumers with a refundable nickel deposit as incentive to recycle bottles/cans. The nation’s first recycling mill is erected in Pennsylvania as curbside recycling pickup is introduced in other states. The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act creates disposal and landfill standards for typical/hazardous waste.

1980s

Recycling initiatives (‘blue box’ and curbside projects) increase, with some cities mandating recycling. Curbside recycling programs are 1,050 strong.

1990s

McDonald’s gives Styrofoam the boot. Curbside programs reach 5,404 strong, and recycling centers 10,000+. A record 47.6-billion soft drink containers are recycled in ’95 (63%-U.S./80%-California) alongside 62 billion cans. The U.S. rate of recycling is 25%.

Early 2000s

EPA confirms the global warming/waste connection. In efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions, 5 states require electronics recycling; Dell offers free recycling for their products. SanFran bans plastic grocery bags.

Late 2000s

585 million+ pounds of consumer electronics are recycled in 2012, up 25% from 2011. California bans plastic grocery bags state-wide. China’s recycling import bans force the U.S. to step-up recycling practices.

Dumpster moving equipment dated or non-existent? Contact DJ Products today.

Encouraging Congress to Take Action on “Super Slab” Improvements

Encouraging Congress to Take Action on "Super Slab" Improvements
Encouraging Congress to Take Action on “Super Slab” Improvements

Are your terminal tractors lugging loads destined for a road to nowhere? You don’t have to tell anyone in the shipping logistics industry that America’s roads, highways, tunnels, and bridges are in serious disrepair. Cementing the need for attention, the American Society of Civil Engineer’s 2017 report gave the nation’s transportation infrastructure a D+.

Deteriorating Infrastructure Is Impeding America’s Ability to Compete Globally

To safeguard our country’s future, timely action must be taken. While some progress has been achieved, reversing the trajectory of degradation due to under-investment in infrastructure over decades relies on the actions of the Congress, states, infrastructure owners, and American citizens.

‘Transportation Has Always Been Bi-Partisan’
– Ray LaHood, DOT Secretary Under Barack Obama

Far from a partisan problem, this national issue has not been addressed since 1993, the last time Congress increased the federal fuel tax – the primary funding mechanism for financing the majority of transportation infrastructure projects. Today, the issue remains, and is centered on the need for true long-term legislation able to attain the revenue necessary to finance the infrastructure projects of America’s crumbling highways, roads, bridges, and tunnels.

Bridging the Partisan Divide

A timely solution could help the nation capitalize on the current level of soaring economic momentum. As stated by Mr. LaHood, ‘There are no Democratic or Republican roads or bridges.’ And President Trump agrees, ‘We have a lot in common on infrastructure.’ Rep. Peter DeFazio notes, ‘We can’t pretend. There has to be real money, real investment, and it needs to be done soon.’ However, it’ll cost money at a time money is tight. A challenge that will be hard to surmount without everyone’s support.

Pave the way to a brighter future. Learn more about terminal tractors from DJ Products today.