March 14, 2019 - DJ Products

More Warehouse Robots Added at Walmart and Amazon But Not at a Human Cost – Yet

The move toward automation is affecting the retail industry, but is it a threat to employees yet? Retail giants Amazon and Walmart are adding warehouse robots to handle different tasks. While this might seem like a concern for employees, they can still count on being able to do their jobs using warehouse equipment for now.

Amazon Robots

Amazon first made the company’s interest in robotics known in 2012 with the purchase of Kiva Systems. Since that time, Amazon has set up cashierless stores and put robots to work moving items around inside its warehouses. These robots have allowed Amazon to store more inventory and handle customer orders at a quicker pace. This has led to shorter delivery times, making customers happier overall.

Walmart Robots

Walmart also uses robots in warehouses to take care of some tasks and plans to add more. Newer robots will be moving groceries around warehouses at a grocery distribution center in California in 2020, and a New Hampshire location will have automated carts available for moving items that are part of online grocery orders.

Other plans for robots at Walmart include an unloading system that removes items from trucks and sorts them while bringing them to warehouse shelves.

Effects of Robots on Jobs

Adding automation to warehouses is expected to create some jobs, but it could also lead to job losses for some warehouse workers over time. While warehouse workers don’t have to worry about losing their jobs to robots just yet, they should keep an eye on automation news.

If you need warehouse equipment to keep your business running smoothly, visit DJ Products. We have a wide selection of this equipment available to help your employees handle warehouse tasks more efficiently.

Amazon Warehouse Staff Exercise Their Right to Protest

With Amazon’s far-ranging network of facilities, robust infrastructure and labor force of more than 600,000, it’s not far-fetched to compare the retailing giant to a self-contained country. Amazon has begun using its stature to wield influence among governments both here and abroad.

Continuing the parallel, “citizens” of Amazon are seeking to be heard on topics ranging from warehouse equipment to global warming. What issues are causing employees to raise their voices in protest?

Amazon Becomes a Political Force

Last year, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos enjoyed a private summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and it was later announced that Amazon would open a new office in Vancouver employing 3,000 people. In the United States, Amazon caused a frenzy with its search for a city to host its second headquarters.

The “contest” was ultimately won by Washington, D.C. and New York City, although the latter eventually declined. It’s expected that a facility in the nation’s capital will give Amazon a stronghold for increased lobbying as well as efforts to obtain Department of Defense contracts.

Employees Flex Their Muscle

For their part, several Amazon employees are taking an ethical stand against certain products. Workers are joining civil rights groups such as the ACLU in objecting to use of Amazon’s facial recognition software for “authoritarian surveillance.”

In a development that bears watching, some Amazon employees are taking advantage of stock holdings in their compensation packages. As shareholders, they have filed a resolution demanding that Amazon create a plan to deal with climate change.

Warehouse Equipment for All Applications

Your company may not be the size of Amazon, but your employees deserve quality warehouse equipment. Visit our website and chat with our sales engineers about our line of electric tugs, movers and pushers.

What to Know About Inbound vs Outbound Logistics

Logistics is an umbrella term encompassing the process of transporting and storing products. The concept can be broken down into inbound or outbound logistics based on whether items are being received or shipped.

Equipment such as our powered trailer mover can be utilized on both sides, but inbound and outbound logistics also differ in several important ways. Here are factors to consider for optimizing your logistics program in both directions.

Supply Chain Side

Companies develop supply chain partnerships with suppliers on the inbound side and customers on the outbound side. In many cases, companies choose to work with third-party distributors on either or both sides.

Liability

Both inbound and outbound shipments are governed by specific agreements between the relevant parties. Free on Board (FOB) is a commonly-used term in which the inbound recipient covers all shipping costs from when the shipment is loaded on a carrier or when it reaches a particular destination.

Supplies and Equipment

Inbound logistics applies to tools, office equipment and other materials used to operate your business, while outbound logistics refers to inventory only.

Supply Chain Integration

Vertical integration is a strategy in which a company takes control over one or more stages of the supply chain. For example, in the 1920s Ford Motor began manufacturing much of its own steel rather than sourcing from outside suppliers. Implementing vertical integration creates a more cohesive supply chain, thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs.

Improve Yard Efficiency with Our Powered Trailer Mover

Are you frustrated with outside shunting services? Boost productivity and safety with the Electric Yard Dog from DJ Products. Our popular powered trailer mover can handle trailers up to 100,000 pounds and it’s ergonomically designed to help reduce injury risk.

Visit our website for more information.

Five Tips to Improving Your Efficiency as a Fleet Manager

As a fleet manager, it’s up to you to make sure that your team is working as efficiently as possible. That can sometimes be easier said than done. Sometimes adding certain pieces of equipment, such as a semi trailer mover, can make a big difference. But there’s actually a lot more that can be done as well.

Top Tips for Fleet Managers

Keeping everyone safe and keeping your operation running smoothly are your two top priorities. Here are some ways to accomplish both:

– Keep maintainence hassle-free – You expect your drivers to keep up with the maintenance of their vehicles, but it can be easy for them to put it off if you don’t have a good system in place. You may even want to consider using software that gives them timely reminders.

– Create purchasing and disposal plans for vehicles – You don’t want people in other departments to purchase new vehicles on a whim, or keep old ones longer than they should. Make sure you have guidelines in place to help them with these important decisions.

– Set driver performance goals – People tend to do better at their jobs when they know they have goals to reach. Your drivers are no exception to this rule. Don’t be afraid to set standards for them and expect them to reach them. If they don’t, you can then address those areas with them personally.

Being a Proactive Fleet Manager When it Comes to Safety and Efficiency

It’s very important to have the right equipment for your staff. Without it, they can’t do their jobs well. Have you considered adding a semi trailer mover? It might be one of the best decisions you ever made! Contact us at DJ Products to learn how we can help.

What’s Trending? Online Rentals and Sales of Dumpsters.

You can buy a lot of junk online – and you can also rent a dumpster online when you have more junk than usual. That’s the idea behind online platforms like Dumpster Market and Budget Dumpster. Local haulers list themselves online, and customers can easily find what they need at a competitive price.

For commercial use, it’s never been easier to get however many roll-off containers you need at a given moment. In fact, you can even rent dumpster moving equipment to tow waste containers around your property.

The Boom in Online Dumpster Rentals

Dumpster Market opened in January 2018 with a mission to make the waste hauling industry more efficient through technology. Renting a dumpster works similarly to apps like Kayak and Uber.

Software designed just for this purpose allows haulers to list availability for various sizes of dumpsters. Users can book a container with local pickup and drop-off with just a few clicks.

Remodeling an apartment complex? Need extra dumpsters for a business with seasonal peaks? Rent online for a low price and skip the phone calls and quote requests.

Dumpster Moving Equipment for Improved Waste Management

At apartments and other multi-family housing, most injuries occur in the trash room. Don’t ask your maintenance crews to push or pull several tons of weight on those rickety wheels.

Dumpster moving equipment allows virtually any worker to safely move and park roll-off containers. The battery-powered motor makes it easy to tow a dumpster on inclines and over rough ground. It’s even easier to steer than a lawnmower.

Check out the WasteCaddy Dumpster Tow from DJ Products if your staff needs to haul dumpsters to the curb or if you regularly rent dumpsters for construction and remodeling projects.

For more info about our dumpster moving equipment, call 800-686-2651 or contact us online.

Day: March 14, 2019