Material Handling Efficiency
Regardless of how much you pay for material handling equipment, the true value is a combination of reduced downtime and increased productivity. When purchasing our Trailer Dolly or other pieces of equipment, spend less time considering the sticker price and more time evaluating the item based on these helpful guidelines.
1. Does it keep material moving?
Maximum efficiency calls for a steady flow of materials from one point to the next, with few stoppages and little to no backtracking.
2. Does it fit within the layout of your facility?
Conduct periodic reviews of your warehouse layout to make sure it’s not hindering workflow. Ask questions such as:
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- Are aisles wide enough to prevent congested traffic?
- Is machinery set up in a logical progression?
- Are potential danger spots clearly marked?
3. Are material sizes standardized?
Variety may be the spice of life, but it’s detrimental to warehouse operations. It’s not feasible to have a single size for equipment such as containers, but it’s best to go with the minimum number needed to accomplish the job. Standardization of equipment also cuts down on the amount of space required to store replacement parts.
4. Does the equipment improve workplace safety?
Liberty Mutual, one of the largest insurance companies in the United States, estimates that employers pay a staggering $1 billion per week in workers compensation costs for non-fatal injuries. Add that to the amount lost in reduced productivity, and it’s easy to see why workplace safety should be a priority. Morale is also improved when employees see that the company values their well-being.
5. Does the equipment accommodate a variety of uses?
As the Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously said, “The only constant in life is change.” Your warehouse often incorporates new products, new methods and other updates. Do you want to purchase new equipment every time you make a change? Look for products that are adaptable to a number of different applications.
Boost Productivity and Worker Safety with the Trailer Dolly
The Trailer Dolly is just one of our electric material handling solutions designed to meet the needs of the warehouse and distribution center industry. Call us at 800.686.2651 to learn more.