industrial tugs Archives - Page 2 of 4

Start 2019 Out Strong with Our Top Warehouse Efficiency Tips

Start the Year off on the Right Foot in the Workplace!

Is increased efficiency on your list of New Year’s resolutions for your warehouse? Our electric industrial tugs are a safe and cost-effective way to accomplish this goal.

Supplement your efforts with a number of easy-to-implement methods that improve all factors of warehouse performance. Here are tested tips to increase efficiency and boost productivity in 2019:

Communicate Openly and Often

No matter how well everyone knows their job, nothing should be taken for granted. Share all relevant information required to prevent problems and keep order processing moving smoothly.

Embrace Metrics

Metrics provide specific measurements of performance in a straightforward and objective manner. Today there are more tools than ever before to collect and share data in a user-friendly format.

Maximize Vertical Space and Optimize Slots

Expanding vertically is a quick way to add space without expensive renovations. Warehouse management systems (WMS) let you assign slots for maximum productivity based on seasons, inventory levels, SKU movement and other relevant factors.

Reduce Travel Time

Labor is a significant expense, and much of it is taken up with travel time while picking, packing and shipping orders. Analyze your warehouse layout and make sure work stations are set up in a logical order.

Implement Effective Training Programs

As technology becomes more integrated in warehouse management, workers can’t afford to be left out of the loop. Design robust and ongoing training programs that allow employees to be comfortable with new systems and solicit feedback to find areas for improvement.

Industrial Tugs for Every Application from DJ Products

Whatever your need, we have battery-powered industrial tugs, movers and pushers that handle it. Use the handy chat feature on our website and let our friendly sales engineers find the solution that’s right for you.

Our January Tips to Reduce Costs in Your Warehouse Operation

How Can You Make it More Efficient For Your Warehouse Employees in 2019?

Does your warehouse staff finish the year in a scramble to bring expenses in under budget? Our industrial tugs maximize labor and reduce costly injuries to provide savings all year long.

In 2019, resolve to make reducing costs a year-round priority. Implement these measures in January to make financial awareness and expense-cutting part of the workplace culture.

Optimize Storage Space

Expansion is costly and time-consuming, especially today with warehouse space at a premium. Review the warehouse layout and inventory storage system to find wasted space and make changes where necessary.

Institute Cross-Docking

The more time product spends in your warehouse, the faster costs add up. Cross-docking, by which incoming products are immediately loaded onto outbound trucks for delivery, dramatically reduces storage, shipping and labor expenses.

Buy Used Containers

Used containers in good condition are often available at significant savings from reputable vendors. Purchasing used containers is a good practice to demonstrate eco-awareness and green workplace policies.

Reduce Energy Usage

Conscientious energy usage is another way to save money as well as the environment. High-quality building insulation, motion-sensitive lighting systems and hands-free faucets are just a few of the methods to cut back on excessive energy use.

Improve Labor Productivity

Labor is often the single largest element of any company’s operating costs. Hiring and training new workers is expensive and disruptive, so start a plan to improve employee retention. In addition, cross-training makes workers feel more accomplished and ensures that absences or temporary shortages won’t impact productivity.

Industrial Tugs from DJ Products: “Like Adding Another Staff Member”

Why assign two workers to handle heavy loads when one can easily complete the job with the help of one of our battery-powered industrial tugs? Learn more by calling 800.686.2651.

The Airbnb Concept Arrives in the Warehouse Space

Companies can scale warehouse equipment and other assets up and down to accommodate changing needs. But a warehouse itself is a fixed property that involves major financial commitments, which can become detrimental to a company’s bottom line.

The warehouse industry is now on the cusp of a major disruption that could put the traditional model in the past. Some innovative companies are taking a page from the Airbnb book to create a warehouse sharing model.

Matching Supply with Demand

One such company is Stowga, a startup in the UK. According to CEO Charlie Pool, they realized that many warehouses had spare capacity while demand for warehouse space was increasing, so why not match up the two sides?

Stowga and US competitor Flexe offer high-tech platforms for companies to rent their unused warehouse space to other companies for variable lengths of time. Germany, Australia, Hong Kong and other industrialized countries are now scrambling to develop their own warehouse sharing services.

Benefits of Warehouse Sharing

– Warehouses are transformed from long-term, static assets to short-term, variable ones.

– Companies can be more agile in terms of expanding into new markets and pulling out of unprofitable ones.

– Warehouse sharing fits perfectly into the PAL (personalized, automated, localized) supply chain concept.

– Costs will be lower when companies can obtain warehouse space in proximity to their customer bases rather than remaining locked into cumbersome, far-away distribution chains.

– Fewer companies will need to rely on outdated, expensive and rigid solutions such as offshore manufacturing and global supply chains.

Warehouse Equipment for All Applications

Battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers from DJ Products are well-suited to carry your company from today’s warehouse models through future innovations. Visit our website where our friendly sales engineers are ready to assist you.

Tips for Hiring Seasonal Warehouse Staff

According to CNBC, experts are predicting a prosperous holiday season for retailers this year. That translates to a greater need for temporary employees to pack orders, handle industrial tugs and fill other positions in your warehouse.

Unfortunately, low unemployment rates are likely to make qualified workers even harder to find. Use these tips to fill your seasonal hiring needs while maintaining high productivity.

Start Early

You have only one chance to take advantage of robust holiday business, so don’t put off the hiring process until the last minute. Create a game plan with timelines and required qualifications that allows you to bring in temporary workers at least three weeks before the big push starts.

Contact Previous Temporary Employees

Previous employees will already be familiar with your operations and procedures. When you can bring in experienced help that’s work-ready from day one, it’s a win-win for both of you.

Crunch the Numbers

With high-tech tools such as warehouse management systems, it’s easier than ever to analyze past years’ business and project this year’s trends. Pay particular attention to times when you may have been understaffed.

Maintain High Standards

Companies sometimes sacrifice quality for convenience when adding seasonal staff. Don’t let the temptation to cut corners keep you from using the same hiring criteria for permanent and temporary employees.

Be Honest

Some job-seekers accept seasonal employment hoping to get a foot in the door for a permanent position. Be specific about the time frame of the job and don’t discuss the possibility of full-time employment unless it truly exists.

Industrial Tugs Improve Year-Round Safety and Productivity

Electric industrial tugs from DJ Products can be used effectively by a single worker and don’t involve a complicated learning curve. Contact us for more information.

Top Safety Tips for Your Warehouse – A Great Review

As the warehouse industry gains new facilities in response to the demands of online retailing, companies are taking on inexperienced workers to fill their staffs. Employee onboarding should include training on warehouse equipment as well as appropriate safety tips.

There are basic safety procedures that apply to all warehouses regardless of size and products handled. Protect new and experienced employees by incorporating these safety tips in your company culture.

Top Tips to Prioritize Warehouse Safety

– Safety training is essential for all new hires, but it should also be ongoing to ensure that workers stay current with policies and protocol. Specific areas of focus include warehouse equipment operation, handling of hazardous materials and emergency procedures.

– Is your warehouse organized for optimum safety? Review workflows periodically and make any necessary adjustments to maintain a logical layout.

– Cluttered aisles, dirty warehouse equipment and liquid spills are unsightly and pose serious injury risks. In addition, a sloppy warehouse affects morale and leads to decreased efficiency. Establish cleaning checklists and schedules for all workstations.

– Fire detection and extinguishing systems are set by building codes, but additional measures may be required if hazardous or flammable materials are stored in your warehouse. All fire escape routes should be clearly marked and kept free of obstructions.

– Employees are involved in the day-to-day operations of the warehouse, putting them in a good position to identify hazards that may develop over time. Instruct supervisors to maintain transparent channels of communication with workers so they feel comfortable reporting any problems.

Reduce Workplace Injuries with Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

We have a battery-powered tug, mover or pusher to accommodate any application in your warehouse. Our friendly sales engineers are available to help you via our convenient online chat feature.

Tips for Removing Grease from Concrete Floors in Your Warehouse

Have you ever struggled to remove stubborn grease stains from laundry? Oil and other fluids from warehouse equipment cause the same problem in porous concrete floors. The difference is that greasy floors in the workplace are a serious safety hazard.

Fortunately, the floor isn’t doomed. Protect your workers from slip-and-fall accidents by using these tips to remove grease from concrete warehouse floors.

Removing Grease from Sealer

A sealer is often applied to the surface of concrete floors to help prevent liquids from penetrating. If there is a sealer on the warehouse floor, it’s difficult to tell just by sight whether the grease is trapped in the sealer or it’s actually seeped through into the concrete.

Remove the sealer with a citrus and soy oil-based stripper, taking care to ventilate the area and use personal protective equipment. If the underlying surface is clean, simply reseal the floor.

Removing Grease from Concrete

You may find that the grease stain has migrated into the concrete, or perhaps your warehouse floor doesn’t have a sealer in the first place. In that case, most commercial cleaners and solvents will loosen the grease particles.

Once that’s done, there are a couple of options for removing the stain.

– Wipe the area with cotton rags soaked with solvent.

– Steam-clean the floor and scrub with a degreaser.

After the floor has been thoroughly cleaned, coat with a grease-resistant sealer. Consider adding a top coat of finishing wax for easy maintenance and greater protection.

Top Quality Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

Our electric warehouse equipment lets your workers move heavy loads up and down inclines, around tight corners and through narrow aisles. Request our free demo trial to see why our warehouse equipment is the solution to your specific needs.

Plan Ahead for Cold Weather by Winterizing Your Warehouse Now

Winter is on the way and warehouses are more vulnerable to cold temperatures than most workplaces. Employees and warehouse equipment alike can suffer decreased productivity without appropriate seasonal preparations.

Don’t leave your warehouse “out in the cold” this year. Use this checklist to plan a successful winterizing strategy for all operations.

Winterizing Your Warehouse

• Forewarned is forearmed. Walk through the warehouse from one end to the other looking for potential trouble spots. Pay special attention to areas that have had past problems.

• Stock up on snow shovels, de-icing products, first aid supplies and other necessary winter materials. Store them in a spot that’s readily accessible to all employees.

• Develop a contingency plan to allow for short-handed days due to weather or illness.

• Have the HVAC system inspected to make sure it’s in good working order and head off any unexpected breakdowns.

• Check plumbing for leaks and make sure to properly insulate any exposed pipes.

• Schedule regular cleanings of drains and gutters to prevent overflow.

• Keep docks, walkways, vehicle paths and workspaces clear of snow and ice.

• Check seals on doors to keep the heat in and cold out. Consider installing air curtains or high-speed doors to limit exposure to the elements.

• Compensate for shorter daylight hours by adding light sources as needed.

• Provide cold-weather gear for workers and keep additional sets on hand.

• Designate a heated area for lunches and breaks.

• Have a meeting for all employees to discuss winter safety tips. Review the signs and symptoms of frostbite and other weather-related health concerns.

Warehouse Equipment for Year-Round Needs

All warehouse equipment from DJ Products is designed for maximum safety so your workers can be confident of its performance in cold or hot weather. Visit our website for more information.

Tips to Protect Your Warehouse Employees and Boost Performance

All warehouse managers strive to optimize productivity, but unfortunately some let good safety practices fall to the wayside in pursuit of their goal. Our industrial tugs are one way to increase efficiency without sacrificing safety.

Don’t let costly injuries offset valuable productivity gains in your warehouse. Use these expert tips to help employees be more effective while avoiding common risks of workplace injury.

Conduct Ongoing Safety Training

Regular safety training enables proper procedures to become second nature with employees and demonstrates your commitment to a culture of workplace safety. Include training as part of the onboarding process and hold periodic refresher courses. Test managers and supervisors to make sure they’re setting a good example.

Post Instructions for Safety and Emergency Procedures

Reinforce safety training by posting checklists and visual aids in prominent places around the workplace. Topics can include:

– How to handle hazardous materials

– Recommended lifting techniques

– Machine and equipment operating instructions

Provide Quality Personal Protective Equipment

Have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) on hand and readily available. Establish an inspection schedule and immediately replace any PPE that shows signs of wear and tear.

Invest in Safety Amenities

Supplement PPE use with warehouse features and add-ons that contribute to a safe environment. Industrial tugs, generous lighting, guard rails and ergonomic workstations are just some of the extras that can be easily incorporated in a warehouse for maximum results.

Perform Safety Audits

Create daily, weekly and monthly checklists of items and details to be inspected and verified.

Combine Safety and Productivity with Industrial Tugs

At DJ Products, warehouse safety and efficiency is our main concern. Call 800.686.2651 and let our cheerful sales engineers explain why eco-friendly industrial tugs like our best-selling CartCaddyShorty are the solution to your specific needs.

New Cold Storage Warehouse Construction Focuses on Technology and Regionalization

Changes Are Coming to Warehouse Construction.

While our industrial tugs are sturdy and versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of uses, cold storage warehouses and distribution centers are subject to factors different from those that affect other types of facilities.

What trends are currently shaping cold storage warehouse construction? Here’s a look at six major topics that are influencing the industry today.

1. A Shift to Regional Distribution Centers

Online shopping has expanded the reach of smaller brands, but companies can’t afford to sacrifice freshness of product to meet delivery demands. As a result, many sellers are creating smaller, locally-based distribution centers that are supplied by redistribution services.

2. Upgrades in Employee Amenities

The shrinking labor pool and harsh working conditions make cold storage warehouse jobs difficult to fill. Companies are implementing perks such as onsite meals and recreation to make employment more attractive.

3. Acquisitions

As in many industries, larger cold storage companies with more resources are buying up smaller ones. With more at stake, these companies are prioritizing high standards and streamlined operations.

4. Technology

Improvements in technology allow for better accuracy and efficiency in every stage of cold storage facilities, from design and construction to day-to-day operations.

5. Threat of Steel Tariffs

Steel is used extensively throughout cold storage facilities, so it’s no surprise that tariffs would cause higher costs and delayed construction.

6. Packaged Refrigeration

Packaged refrigeration is a part of a green initiative that many cold storage facilities are incorporating to move away from ozone-depleting refrigerants.

Industrial Tugs for All Uses

What do warehouses, fulfillment centers and cold storage have in common? DJ Products has a variety of industrial tugs to solve any needs. Visit our website or call 800.686.2651 to learn more about our electric pushers and movers.

Innovations in Warehouse Automation Allows Less to Do More

Our battery-powered industrial tugs let a single worker complete tasks that usually take at least two people. What is the fewest number of employees it takes to conduct day-to-day operations in your warehouse?

Amazingly, a warehouse in China is processing 200,000 orders per day with only four human employees, who principally service the robots performing the actual work. Is this wholesale conversion to automation a sign of things to come?

Warehouse Automation from Start to Finish

JD.com is a massive e-commerce company that is China’s largest retailer in terms of revenue. Due to JD.com’s continued growth, the company nearly doubled its warehouse space between Q1 2017 and Q1 2018.

The warehouse in question is located in Kunshan, just outside of Shanghai. A complex, fully automated network including conveyors, image scanners and driverless forklifts handles the entire process from receiving to shipping.

Meeting Expectations of a Demanding Customer Base

While JD.com has a firm foothold in China’s major cities, the company believes its automated fulfillment center will allow it to expand into more remote areas. JD.com expects to provide same-day delivery service anywhere in China when orders are placed by 11 a.m.

In order to satisfy demanding Chinese consumers, JD.com and its closest competitor, Alibaba, are constantly seeking ways to make supply chains faster and more efficient. One solution is moving repetitive tasks from a human workforce to robotic workers.

Save Time and Labor with Electric Industrial Tugs

Are you also looking for ways to optimize the supply chain in your warehouse? With industrial tugs from DJ Products, a single employee can move loads weighing thousands of pounds, freeing others to attend to more important jobs.

Visit our website and chat with one of our helpful sales engineers for more information.

Tag: industrial tugs