Distribution Center Equipment Archives

Is Your Supply Chain Keeping Step? Smaller, Digital and Nimble are Key.

Connecting Your Fleet Digitally to Quickly Relay Information is a Smart Business Tip.

Supply chains have embraced tools such as our battery-powered yard trucks that make physical tasks easier. But when it comes to adapting digital technology, the industry has remained behind the curve.

This attitude has been showing signs of changing, as factors including a labor shortage and rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) are driving supply chain managers toward smaller, digital and more nimble operations. Here’s a look at some of the ways technology is changing the supply chain industry.

Move to the Cloud

Experts predict that by 2020, planning systems will remain on premises while 90 percent of spending for execution systems will be for cloud-based applications. The IoT will provide the means to create a digital network allowing for data flow from start to finish of operations.

Improved Forecasting

Another benefit of the IoT is the ability to replace short-term forecasting with demand sensing, which uses advanced math techniques and near real-time data for more accurate forecasting.

Preventing Disruptions

Shippers with a more resilient supply chain will be better equipped to identify and manage risks, making them less vulnerable to reduced capacity and inventory problems.

Shift to Micro-Logistics

Following Amazon’s lead, many manufacturers are evaluating a transition to micro-logistics, which entails a group of small, localized warehouses rather than the traditional DC model.

Less Is More

Whether due to financial struggles or strategic purposes, consolidation among transoceanic shipping companies, third-party distribution services, and over-the-road carriers will likely increase. As a result, 3PL agreements will center on value rather than price.

Move Trailers Safely and Quickly with Yard Trucks from DJ Products

Our Electric Yard Dog is less expensive than a new yard truck or shunting service and reduces risk of damage and injuries. Call 800.686.2651 for more information.

Pending Federal Drive-Safe Act Allows Under 21 Year Age CDL Licensing

Young CDL Drivers May Soon Be On The Road

Your motorized trailer dollies may soon be toting goods for haul by underage drivers. With an industry shortage on labor, officials are looking to up the ante with a bill aimed at expanding the labor pool to include drivers under 21 years old.

License to Drive

Currently, federal law prohibits drivers age 21 and younger from interstate operations. However, following the U.S. House, a recently introduced bill has now been filed in the U.S. Senate that could allow drivers under the age of 21 to hold a CDL license to cross state lines.

Summer School

The Drive-Safe Act, filed by the House in March, would require extra training tasks for 18 to 20 year old drivers before permitting them to operate on the interstate, including at least 400 hours of on-duty time and 240 hours of driving time, logging hundreds of hours behind the wheel riding along with more experienced CDL drivers before they can drive on the interstate.

Move Over

While backed by the American Trucking Associations, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and safety other groups have opposed expanding interstate hauling to under-21 drivers. Proponents of the bill, however, argue that in large states, underage operators are already taking trips hundreds of miles long, yet aren’t allowed to make shorter trips across state lines. They also point to the fact bringing in younger drivers could help address the industry’s driver shortage, expanding their ability to attract career drivers.

Tired of dealing with special licensing requirements? Skip the CDL. Safe and easy to operate, motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products require no CDL, certification, or health card. Reduce your training tasks and increase safety and productivity. Get things moving with the help of DJ Products today.

Cut Your Shipping Costs with Our LTL (Less-than-Truckload) Tips

Thinking Smarter About How We Travel and Transport Never Hurts to Think About.

Are you being penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to an investment in cart caddies and motorized trailer dollies? While many shippers rely on eking the lowest possible transportation rates out of carriers, there are other more effective ways of cutting shipping expenses, especially when handling less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments.

Secrets to Cutting Shipping Costs

As the LTL segment increases, shipping logistics plays an integral role in cost. Focusing on process improvements sidesteps shipping dilemmas and safeguards rates. These can be accomplished by watching…

1. Pricing:

Avoid Surprises

Knowing true shipping weights is essential to avoiding admin correction fees and fees for overweight/overlarge shipments.

Looking to Net Cost

Don’t overlook fees that factor into total expenditures. Discount rates can be misleading.

Shopping for Simple Pricing

Pricing complexity leads to confusion and excess costs. Perhaps a simplified flat weight/space rate may be better.

Understanding Shipping Rules

Look to cost as a measure of what companies don’t like/specialize in. Choose the right carrier for your needs, looking to predictability in rate structure. Less variability reduces costs.

2. Packaging:

Protect Shipments from Stacking

Shipment condition at its destination is a prime concern in regards to expense. Mark packaged pallets as ‘FRAGILE’ to inform dock workers (not the bill-of-lading). Place a protective layer atop pallets devised to support stacked weight.

Shrink Wrap

To safeguard structural integrity.

Maximize Space

Pack to the maximum height requirement and pallet’s edge – but not beyond. This ensure maximum bang-for-the-buck and circumvent fees.

3. Carrier Choice:

Carrier Specialties

Selecting carriers that specialize in the services you need (national/regional/economy/commercial/residential) saves money.

Shipping Speed

Not everyone needs it yesterday.

Looking for ways to speed processes and reduce labor? Learn more about cart caddies and motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products today.

Self-Driving Trucks Hit the “Big Slab” Starting in Arizona

DJ Products Supplies Equipment for Moving Semi Trailers in Your Yard

Self-driving trucks sound like the things that futuristic movies are made of. However, it might not be long before they’re as commonplace as tractor trailers are on our nation’s highways.

Uber now has self-driving commercial trucks that are moving freight in Arizona through the Uber Freight network. These trucks can be seen traveling along Interstate 40 in both directions. They’re using dry van trailers, although the companies that are using their services have not yet been named.

Are Self-Driving Trucks the Start of a New Industry?

The goal is for long haul self-driving trucks to work with conventional trucks to improve the efficiency of the trucking industry. Experts believe that the use of this technology may save lives and improve the quality of life for our country’s truck drivers.

Currently, these self-driving vehicles will remain on the highway. They’ll still rely on drivers to complete the start and the end of each trip, which keeps humans behind the wheel for the more complex work.

The Role of Motorized Trailer Dollies

Motorized trailer dollies can be very useful in Uber’s new venture. The trailers have to be swapped at some point once the highway travel has been completed. Using manpower to do this can be time-consuming, but it can also be dangerous for the driver. With the right tools, trailers can be moved easily and quickly, getting both vehicles back on the road in no time.

The Future of Automated Trucks

Right now, every Uber self-driving truck has a driver in it at all times. They’re working toward making them completely driverless. There’s no telling what the future holds.

Will you be a part of it? If you are, DJ products can help make it happen. Contact us to learn more!

Could Your Fleet Qualify for an ELD (Electronic Logging Device) Exemption?

Check to See if Your Fleet May Be Eligible

The electronic logging device mandate has stirred up a polarizing debate. Some call the rule “Orwellian,” while others insist only those guilty of fudging paper records are upset. Many fleets are happily incorporating ELDs by using terminal tractors to reduce wait times with faster trailer towing around the docks. Still, you may be wondering if you qualify for an ELD exemption.

An owner-operator exemption request has not prevailed thus far. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has only granted a handful of ELD exemptions and waivers. These apply to old vehicles and situations where other safety measures are deemed sufficient:

– Vehicles manufactured before 2000

– Drivers who don’t use paper logs more than 8 days a month

– Trucks rented for 30 days or less; waiver through April 19, 2018

– Trucks rented for 8 days or less; exempt through October 11, 2022

– Agricultural commodities; waiver through June 18, 2018

– UPS drivers; exempt through January 19, 2022

– MPAA commercial drivers; exempt through January 19, 2023

Additionally, vehicles with the old AOBRDs are enjoying a two-year grandfathering period before a required upgrade by December 16, 2019.

Satisfy ELD and HOS Rules with Terminal Tractors

DJ Products can help your fleet comply with ELD mandates by using our TrailerCaddy Terminal Tractor. These replace your shunt trucks and any employee can operate them, so your CDL drivers don’t need to waste time moving trailers in and out of docks.

Terminal tractors save time and money. A TrailerCaddy costs less than 25 percent as much as a shunt truck, yet easily moves trailers up to 100,000 pounds and provides a long battery life.

For more info about how our terminal tractors can help ease the burden of ELD and hours-of-service rules, contact DJ Products today.

Why Would Amazon Want to Start Its Own Shipping Network?

Check Out Our Yard Truck Products

Amazon will soon be adding a yard truck to its extensive assortment of warehouse equipment at its distribution centers. The online giant is preparing to launch a delivery service for businesses that will pit them head-to-head with established companies FedEx and UPS.

Shipping with Amazon

Amazon’s announcement of the new service initially caused stock prices for both FedEx and UPS to dip. While the current partnership between Amazon and UPS is expected to continue short-term, it’s unclear how it will be affected down the road.

The service, to be known as Shipping with Amazon, will begin by delivering shipments from the company’s third-party suppliers. Shipping with Amazon will kick off in the Los Angeles area before branching out.

Why Expand into Delivery?

Experts speculate that there are several reasons why Amazon is pursuing this new venture:

– Amazon’s lucrative Prime membership service offers free two-day shipping on specific items, but that perk is lost when customers order from a third-party supplier. By assuming more control, Amazon is hoping to drive additional customers to purchase a Prime membership.

– With the massive size of its operations, Amazon prefers to be as self-contained as possible. Taking charge of delivery service will minimize problems, such as delayed shipments during the last holiday season.

– Shipping causes a lot of red ink on Amazon’s books. In 2017, the company spent $20 billion getting orders to customers. That figure can be sharply reduced with in-house delivery.

– UPS recently reported quarterly revenues of $18.83 billion. Even for Amazon, it’s hard to resist the lure of that kind of money in their coffers.

Move Trailers with the Electric Yard Dog from DJ Products

Our battery-powered yard truck allows any employee to safely move trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds. Call 800.686.2651 to learn more.

Investing in Supply Chain and Terminal Management Technology Starts with Staff Training

Innovation to Drive Future Production

Has your supply chain company fully committed to the high-tech advancements that are revolutionizing the industry? Embracing technology like data capture and terminal tractors is the most strategic way to attract a talented workforce.

Solving the Supply Chain Employment Crisis

The supply chain sector is facing a dire shortage of qualified workers. According to the 2016 MHI Annual Industry Report, approximately 600,000 manufacturing positions in the United States go unfilled and 58 percent of survey respondents reported major difficulties in hiring and retaining skilled workers.

Rather than continuing to search within the same talent pool, why not target the next generation that’s preparing to enter the workforce? The challenge is making an older-skewing industry appealing to younger workers.

Changing the Perception of Supply Chain for a New Generation

Today’s twenty-somethings have grown up with technology, so it’s an integral part of their lives. Incorporating technology in your company makes the business more relevant to them and offers a way for younger workers to express their ingenuity and creativity.

Technology was once seen as merely a way to automate and simplify repetitive tasks. Younger employees, who are familiar with the range and application of technology, want to use these methods to manage and grow a business.

Do you need another reason to invest in technological solutions for your company? In addition to making your workplace attractive to younger generations, technology cuts costs in the long run by improving productivity.

State-of-the-Art Technology for Material Handling Solutions from DJ Products

Our Electric Yard Dog easily moves loads up to 100,000 pounds and includes the latest safety features to reduce risk of accidents and repetitive motion injuries. Contact us for more information about our electric terminal tractors and other pushers, tugs and movers.

Should You Consider Cloud Services for Logistics Management?

Still using local software for logistics management? Cloud-based services have taken hold in this industry like so many others. Perhaps you like your current solution and live by the motto, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” On the other hand, sitting still can be dangerous. Logistics in the cloud can be more efficient and scalable—and perhaps surprisingly, also more secure.

Cloud services help you know exactly where your inventory is and where it needs to be. As the makers of TrailerCaddy yard dog trucks, we know how much agility and safety matter at a warehouse or distribution center and how they can benefit your bottom line. Terminal tractors keep each trailer positioned exactly where it needs to be.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Logistics Management

The experts at Inbound Logistics recently offered a rundown of why warehouse and transportation firms should be using cloud-based WMS or TMS for logistics:

– Reduced IT costs

– Scalable for growth or seasonal fluctuation

– Enhanced data security (more redundancy)

– Business continuity and backup disaster recovery

– Internet of Things for labels, tags, sensors, etc.

In practical terms, moving to the cloud means your data is always backed up. Services have a predictable monthly cost and software updates occur automatically. When technology changes, your cloud services provider will already be a step ahead. Cloud storage is a great way to improve distribution efficiency.

DJ Products Electric Yard Dog Trucks

What happens on the ground matters as much as what’s in the cloud. Our TrailerCaddy Terminal Tractors are high-performance, low-cost yard dog trucks that don’t require a CDL driver. Move any trailer up to 100,000 pounds with tight maneuvering and better safety.

Ask DJ Products how our yard dog trucks can improve logistics and supply chain management.

Tips for Helping Your Long Haul Drivers Manage Fatigue Enroute

Yard Trucks Can Lighten Loads for Drivers and Staff

Tired truckers are a huge problem. One that log books seek to prevent. However, like traffic rule books handed out to green drivers pre-licensure, log books are only as effective as those who follow their tenets. Luckily, CDL drivers can learn how to manage sleep without relying on them.

Get to Know Contributing Factors
Lack of oxygen, bright lights, noise and stress can all fuel fatigue, reducing the capacity to remain alert. While stress is tougher to tackle, oxygen is obvious and easy to address. Cool, fresh air is a fantastic fatigue-buster.

Monotonous, loud noise also has a prolonged fatiguing effect, making tasks difficult to perform. Luckily there’s fantastic tech these days, capable of providing both ear protection and entertainment.

Bright lights can seriously disrupt your concentration at night. Dim those interior lights and look at the fog line – and away from oncoming traffic.

Other Strategies for Managing Fatigue
From navigating yard trucks to planning a long-haul freight route, route planning will quickly show itself an ideal way to combat fatigue: Mapping routes and planning stops for rest in advance assures adequate down time, robbing your ego of “I’ll just try to make the next stop” syndrome and the dreaded ‘full’ rest stop.

Exercise tips from “Trucker Fitness” also don’t disappoint, helping you boost fatigue-busting endorphins and improving sleep quality. You cannot bank good sleep. Avoiding sleep debt/lousy rests actually safeguards sleep quality on-the-road. For those with the means, investing in a more comfortable sleeper unit can net amazing returns.

Are you protecting your employees from the fatigue and strain of shunting semi-trailers? Yard trucks can prevent muscle fatigue, injury, and other risks of moving heavy trailers. Safeguard against worker injury and boost productivity with the help of DJProducts today.

Diabetes is a Real Problem for Your Long Haul Drivers

Shunting trailers without the help of terminal tractors can be dangerous. And so can hauling those trailers. In recent studies, long-haul drivers have been shown to be exceptionally at-risk of Type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle, a main risk factor in this chronic condition across the board, is to blame.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Common in the United States, Type 2 diabetes has experienced a four-fold increase from 1980-2014. Growing in prevalence, this condition affects the way the body produces insulin, limiting its effectiveness in metabolizing sugar.

Drivers Have a Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes than Others
A 2010 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study revealed keen insight into long-haul driver behavior and health. Truck drivers have a significantly higher risk of Type 2 diabetes than the average American: 14% of drivers suffer Type 2 diabetes, versus 9.4% of the general population.

What Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices Put Long-Haul Drivers At Risk?
The lonely, sedentary nature of long-haul runs are not conducive to healthy living, nor is eating outside of the home – the only option for drivers on long freight routes. Frequent sleeping away means no or minimal access to healthy, fresh, home-cooked fare.

Tight schedules combined with lackluster rest in strange hotels often increase fatigue and stress, limiting opportunities for exercise. In fact, more than one-quarter of study respondents reported no exercise in the past 7 days. Fifty-one-percent smoked. Sixty-nine-percent were obese (versus 33% of the general population); 17% morbidly obese – 10% higher than the general public. All of these are known risk factors for poor health and diabetes.

Are you safeguarding employees from health issues? Prevent injuries, save time and boost productivity with terminal tractors, the electric yard dog, from DJ Products today.

Tag: Distribution Center Equipment