Logistics News Archives

Driverless Trucks – Did They Change the Supply Chain as Expected?

It seems surreal to think that we’ve been talking so much about driverless trucks. Most of us probably never thought this could happen. But here we are, in a new day and age, and it is certainly happening whether we like it or not.

But, the question is, what changes have taken place since driverless trucks started being used more often? Has the supply chain been altered at all? These are the questions we’re here to answer today.

Why are Driverless Trucks Necessary?

The reality is that most accidents are caused by human negligence or errors. If you think about it, the number one problem today is distracted driving. When humans are removed from the equation, the number of accidents should go way down.

In addition, our country is facing a truck driver shortage that is unlike anything we’ve seen before. The drivers we do have tend to maintain about a 40% utilization factor within 24 hours. They are not able to drive as long as companies wish they could.

How Will the Supply Chain be Impacted?

Experts believe that the supply chain will be affected in three key areas:

*A Decrease in Distribution Centers – With so many trucks being able to travel much longer miles each day, fewer distribution centers will be necessary. The ones that remain may be further apart and much larger.

*Delivery Speed – Customers will be able to get their orders much faster than they did previously.

*Product Costs – Costs are expected to go down significantly, which is great for the market as a whole.

At DJ Products, we offer the best in terminal tractors and other products to help your company function at its best. If you have questions about our terminal tractors, contact us!

Forbes Predicts a Major Consolidation of Shipping Companies in 2019

Pros and Cons of Shipping Business Consolidation

Shipping companies are expected to form alliances in order to provide high-quality services to their customers in 2019. In addition to these alliances, investing in terminal tractors and other products can help these companies improve productivity and raise morale among their employees. Taking these steps can guarantee being able to provide superior service.

Logistics and Shipping Changes

Logistics companies and shipping consolidation have led to fewer carrier options for shipping companies. This drop in available carriers can make it difficult for shipping companies to ensure that they are able to keep products moving on schedule and get the quality they are looking for. This is especially true for independent shipping companies compared to much larger ones.

Some shipping companies have decided to form alliances, so they can do business with carriers that they can depend on. Making this move will help these companies protect their business.

Pros and Cons of Consolidation

Is consolidation a positive or negative change for shipping companies in general?

Consolidating has pros and cons that shipping companies should take into consideration. These alliances allow shipping companies to thrive and stay on schedule overall. However, shipping companies might find that rates end up increasing due to a lower amount of competition in the market. These rate increases could have a negative impact on shipping companies.

With alliance formations expected to continue this year, it’s important for independent shipping companies to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of consolidating before making any decisions on whether or not to go through with it.

If you need more information on terminal tractors for your warehouse, contact DJ Products. These products can help improve working conditions for your employees, which boosts productivity and saves on time.

Five Important Trends for 2019 in Logistics – Part One

All the major economic shifts and advances in technology are impacting the transportation and logistics industry. Everyone hears about eCommerce, the blockchain, augmented reality – but in logistics, these buzzwords are already impacting our bottom lines. Let’s dive into the logistics trends for 2019 to anticipate and stay ahead of the game.

How are Trends Changing and How Can Your Business Adapt?

Machine-driven processes may have the most direct and immediate impact. From robotic picking to new semi trailer movers that tow freight around the yard, any warehouse can benefit from upgrading its material handling equipment.

Accounting and consulting firm PwC recently released Transport and Logistics Trends 2019.

Logistics and the Economy, 2019

First, let’s consider some of the market forces at play:

– Mergers and acquisitions: 38 percent of CEOs are planning an M&A event in the next year. Would consolidation improve your efficiency? Is a competitor about to get much larger?

– International trade deals and trade wars: Are you ready to pivot when the next political move results in shifting trade routes and priorities?

– Rail traffic and trucking shortages: Logistics firms expect the pressure on freight transport to continue. Can you improve warehouse efficiency to mitigate high delivery costs?

All this drama takes place against a backdrop of a strong economy and optimistic forecasts. Money is being made, and the stakes are high. Smaller firms need to stay agile and invest in improvements to come out on top rather than getting eaten up by the behemoths.

The Next Big Thing in Logistics

In Part Two, we’ll look at software and technology trends in logistics. From augmented reality warehouses to automated material handling and semi trailer movers, 2019 will see plenty of changes on the ground and in the cloud. Contact us at DJ Products for more info about trailer movers.

Five Important Trends for 2019 in Logistics – Part Two

Technology Should Make Working Easier. That is the Future. A more Efficient Workplace.

How should logistics use blockchain? Can technology help businesses make up for a shortage of skilled labor? These are some of the burning questions for logistics in 2019. We’re in a strong business climate, but forecasters like PwC say that two-thirds of T&L CEOs expect technology and other factors to substantially disrupt their business.

Now let’s look at how companies will be using technology to change the game. Yard trucks and other material handling equipment are helping workers of all skill levels. On the digital side, we’re seeing a new generation of logistics tools that use blockchain, Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence.

The Machines Are Taking Over…

While the media likes to cover automation that eliminates jobs, most warehouses are using robotics and smart equipment to empower their employees. In 2019, logistics technology is helping businesses make up for the skill gap.

Trends for more efficient logistics include resources such as:

– Predictive AI for inventory, scheduling, deliveries, etc.

– Blockchain and distributed ledgers for security in the supply chain

– Augmented reality (AR) to design an efficient warehouse, find items quickly, scan for shipping, etc.

But We Still Need Tools for Warehouse Workers

Various forms of electro-mobility are empowering businesses to get more productivity and efficiency out of warehouse workers.

Look at the electric yard trucks from DJ Products for an example. You don’t need to waste a CDL driver by asking them to move trailers around the dock or freight yard. Now, any dock worker can shift a semi-trailer using an easy tow dolly. It’s fast, precise, and less expensive than a shunt truck to own and operate.

Follow the DJ Products blog for logistics industry news, and call 800.686.2651 for more info about our yard trucks and material handling equipment.

For-Hire Truckload Freight Technology is Projected to Crash by 20% in the Next Decade

Profit is Projected to Decrease Soon.

The freight markets for for-hire carriers are expected to begin experiencing a significant decline in the near future. It’s important to understand the reasons behind this prediction and what you should do to protect your freight business.

Cost-Cutting Measures

With a decline expected, it’s important for for-hire carriers to look into cutting costs. Products such as a powered trailer mover can help many companies reduce their expenses in terms of manpower hours and a lower risk of injuries in the workplace. Reducing costs in these areas can make it easier for companies to adjust to any declines that may occur in the near future.

Reasons Behind the Expected Freight Market Decline

Why are the freight markets expected to have a decline? Experts cite competition from Amazon, changes in agricultural practices, and the automotive industry as the main reasons that are driving the markets toward this drop.

Amazon has been moving in the direction of building an internal freight network that they can rely on for transporting products to customers. Experts also warn that Amazon could make arrangements with an airport-to-airport owner-operator network rather than relying on for-hire carriers.

The move toward indoor agriculture in urban and suburban areas is expected to lead to less demand for for-hire carriers to bring produce to these areas from rural farms.

Lower demand and a growing trend of only purchasing one car per household could also impact the freight markets when it comes to transporting automobiles. This could end up resulting in a dramatic decline for for-hire carriers who transport vehicles.

If your warehouse needs a powered trailer mover or similar products, please contact DJ Products. Our company carries several high-quality products for warehouse owners.

Logistics Companies Benefit from New Mobile Weighing Technology

This New Mobile Weighing Technology is the Future for Warehousing.

As online shopping continues to grow, customer expectations increase the need for speed in the supply chain and logistics. Our battery-powered semi trailer movers provide greater efficiency in the truck yard.

Technology is creating tools to streamline operations inside the warehouse. Mobile weighing has become a necessary step in making the loading and unloading process less cumbersome and time-consuming.

Mobile vs. Manual Weighing

In the traditional logistics model, product is transferred via pallet jack or forklift to stationary scales inside the warehouse. As the product is weighed, a worker manually records the data before the load is transported back to the loading/unloading area.

Mobile weighing lets product be loaded or unloaded and weighed simultaneously. In addition, data is captured immediately and transmitted wirelessly to warehouse management systems.

Benefits of Mobile Weighing

– Mobile weighing reduces time and expenses. One medium-sized facility switched to a mobile scale and cut three minutes off each weighment, which calculates out to annual savings of 620 manhours and $21,696 in labor costs.

– Data flows directly into the capturing device, eliminating the risk of human error.

– Locating the weighing mechanism inside a pallet jack or forklift removes the need for a cumbersome assortment of equipment that can cause safety hazards.

What Does the Future Hold?

Mobile weighing systems may ultimately include voice activation and cameras to send visual information down the processing chain. There is also potential for integration with wearables from picking to communicating information to the customer.

Shunting on Demand with Semi Trailer Movers from DJ Products

Why wait for a shunt truck to maneuver trailers around the yard? Our popular Electric Yard Dog can be operated by any worker with no permits or special training required. Contact us for more information.

A Little Whimsy: How Truckers Can Reduce Their Carbon Footprint

With 6.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States being produced by heavy-duty freight transportation, CO₂reduction is a serious goal for the industry. Our battery-powered semi trailer mover is easy on the environment with no sacrifice of power and efficiency.

The promise of electric semis from Tesla, Nikola and other manufacturers is still beyond the horizon, but there is literally a green option truckers can implement to significantly reduce their carbon footprint.

How Big Is a Trucker’s Carbon Footprint?

According to the U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA), each gallon of diesel fuel burned by heavy-duty trucks releases 22.4 pounds of CO₂into the atmosphere. At an average distance per haul of 450 miles, which consumes 64 gallons of diesel, total CO₂emissions amount to 1,442 pounds.

When you consider that for-hire truckers transport an average of 217 loads each year, the number for each works out to 312,914 pounds of CO₂. How can this amount be offset?

Investing in a Cleaner Environment

A tree can actually absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon per year. Planting 6,519 trees equals a 100 percent offset of a truck’s annual emissions. While that number may sound intimidating, a single tree can cost as little as a dime, resulting in a total cost of only $651.90 or $0.006 per mile.

Another option is purchase of carbon offsets, which are credits used to finance carbon absorption projects. Full coverage via carbon offsets would cost approximately $1,420 or $0.013 per mile.

Eco-Friendly Solutions from DJ Products

Our battery-powered semi trailer mover is safe for the environment as well as your workers. Use the handy chat feature on our website to learn more about the benefits of our Electric Yard Dog.

How Some Trucking Companies Are Retaining Drivers with a “Coolness Factor”

Is It Getting Cool to be a Driver?

The trucking industry is actively trying to promote their “coolness factor” in a hurry. As the influx of delivery requests continue to tick upwards, the high demand for willing drivers to fulfill their many tasks is growing as well. There are not enough job takers.

Before when driving semis was considered “cool,” drivers could talk diesel, boast of stellar equipment and a lifestyle that appealed. Now, those in the industry are scrambling to find ways to compensate for the lack of interest and the lack of able-bodied workers. That’s where the motorized trailer dollies factor comes in.

A Fresh Face

Until drivers begin to get behind the steering columns again, warehouses and semi companies will have to work together to find simple solutions. Simple, yet efficient machinery can do the job to pick up the slack. If you are looking for a reliable worker, DJ Products’ motorized trailer dollies, de-stress your hard-working employees and get logistics back on track! An extra mechanical hand makes light the work!

Upping the Cool Factor

Do you want to keep your hardworking team on task and not out of breath? Nothing’s cooler than machinery that protects employees from extra strain. The less human contact with heavy loads the better. DJ Products uses high-grade machines to help you make great delegating choices. How can you make the process of loading/unloading and delivery go smoothly? You keep tireless machines on the job and diligent workers off the injured list!

Our DJ Products Simplify

Our battery operated motorized trailer dollies don’t require any special training to get them to do the job. Anyone can act as a guide/operator of our premium machinery. Visit DJ Products today and discover how we aspire to a higher standard by design!

Driver’s Pay on the Rise with Contract Increases

Keep An Eye Out for Semi Truck Driver’s Pay to Increase.

The flourishing economy is producing opportunities for growth in the trucking and warehouse industries. According to a recent industry article, drivers in the industry are experiencing wage increases and excess opportunities for deliveries.

The lack of drivers in the industry is startling but the uptick in demand is expected to bring about positive change, yet it also brings concerns.The need continues to grow for simple-solution products like battery-operated semi-trailer movers.

Decreasing Concerns

How can you fill the tasks that experienced drivers already can do but don’t have the time to do? The technological advances found in battery-operated semi-trailer movers allow for much-needed task delegation. Any dedicated worker can now play an integral role in the logistics division when they utilize specialized machinery. Can one machine do the work of the middleman? It can and will.

Despite the noticeable decline in able-bodied experienced truck drivers in the industry, everyday warehouse employees and novice drivers can learn new tasks with minimal training.

Battery-powered semi trailer movers can move hundreds of thousands of pounds with precision and at safe speeds. Trailers carrying small or large freight deliveries are easily transferred to the appropriate areas for loading and unloading. If you invest in expertly-designed premium machinery, you can expect a much higher level of efficiency.

Increasing Assurance

DJ Products offers solutions that push beyond previous boundaries. Humans and machinery can work together in a synchronized model of precision and accuracy. The difficult task of moving large loads is easy when battery-propelled semi trailer movers are utilized. They effectively address the complexities and workload problems that seem insurmountable by facilitating safe simple answers.

If your wish is to make your hardworking employees work day a little easier, DJ products has ideal solutions for the job!

UPS Truck Fleet Goes Green

Going Green to Save Energy

Will your semi trailer movers soon be toting cargo for haul on greener tractor trailer models? United Parcel Service (UPS) is expanding its fleet to include 730 new alternative fuel semis. In efforts to trim fuel costs and reduce emissions, compressed natural gas will now power 19% of the shipping giant’s fleet.

How Much Green is Going Into the Investment?
To cover the cost of the 730 compressed natural gas vehicles, UPS is forking out $130-million. It is also adding 5 compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations to the company’s existing framework of fueling stations to accommodate the addition.

Which Truck Manufacturers are Greening-Up their Product Line?
The company’s purchases include 400 big rigs from Freightliner (Daimler North America) and Kenworth (Paccar), as well as 300 semi trailer movers for toting trailers to their new digs.

Why’s the Company Shifting Gears?
The investment is part of a broad, company-wide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ground operations 12% by 2025. It comes alongside a $20-billion investment in facilities technology and automation in efforts to adjust to the household e-commerce boom, a sector which tends to be less profitable than business deliveries. Focusing on fuel, historically the biggest expense for transportation companies, UPS is aiming to keep their business in the black.

Will Others Follow?
Many others are exploring alternatives for their delivery vehicles: Anheuser-Busch has reserved hundreds of Nikola Motor Company’s hydrogen-electric trucks; Walmart and J.B. Hunt Transport are in line to test out Tesla’s all-electric big rigs; and Deutsche Post AG’s DHL supply chain and truck-leasing company Ryder are likewise jumping aboard the green vehicle bandwagon.

Looking for new ways to safeguard your bottom line? Save time, manpower, and prevent injuries with semi trailer movers from DJProducts today.

Tag: Logistics News