material handling equipment Archives - Page 4 of 12

New Trends Appearing in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Trends to Watch

Do you have the right material handling equipment to keep up with industry changes? MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) and WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) are merging. To meet changing operations, such as warehouses taking on manufacturing roles, tighter/leaner order requirements and ever-faster shipping expectations, new trends are emerging, syncing WMS and MES to allow for real-time knowledge of materials flow and finished goods status.

Smaller, More Frequent Work in Progress (WIP) Replenishment

Instead of large production runs and big loads, e-commerce bigwigs are trending toward smaller production runs and more frequent replacement. Since MES governs production, and WMS governs inventory/material movement, these two systems must work in synchronization to ensure accurate inventory levels and safeguard shipping times.

More Value-Added Services

WMS vendors are moving toward increased manufacturing/customization capabilities, completing assembly/customization with key components which are later assembled in manufacturing areas of warehouses. Here, the synchronization of WMS and MES are key, ensuring ‘just in time’ (JIT) replenishment by supplying a dynamic ‘shopping list’ of what needs to move into assembly centers, and when. This JIT replacement cuts WIP inventory space on the warehouse floor as much as 95%, dramatically streamlining operations.

Integrating WCS with WMS

Integrating WMS with Warehouse Control System software, which controls automated materials handling equipment, offers access to real-time data from automation processes. This facilitates material movements into/out-of manufacturing work centers, prevents disruptions/bottlenecks, identifies them, adjusts the movement of material to adapt to the situation, and prevents (and potentially predicts) further issues.

Increased Use of Robotics

The integration of WMS and MES can also help users more precisely manage fleets of autonomous mobile robots, fine-tuning operations and optimizing routes from storage to shipment.

What’s moving your business? Find the material handling equipment you need at DJ Products today.

Dust Can Become Combustible in Warehouse Environments – What to Know

Warehouse Dust Can be Combustible

Avoid the fire and the financial pitfalls by keeping combustible dust out of the equation! A warehouse needs to be clean and safe so owners remain profitable and their employees successful at their assigned tasks.

Combustible Dust is a Fire Hazard

A recent article speaks of the need for simple methods (like incorporating a sealed work place) to be implemented so your employees and their machinery can function properly in a safe environment. The proper material handling equipment is also vital to keep operations running smoothly.

From Dust to DJ Products

Material handling equipment keeps human contact with potential hazards like combustible dust or muscle strain to a minimum. It simplifies tasks so your employees can enjoy their jobs without having to be overly physical. Dust not only affects warehouse processes by exposing humans to respiratory illnesses, it can also lead to more serious illnesses like lung cancer.

Overexposure to safety hazards that should be avoided will eventually lead to safety violations and on-site accidents. That’s why DJ Products material handling equipment plays a vital role in creating a more efficient environment. Precision machinery that can fare well in any environment keep costs down and employees on the job. Investing in battery-operated machines is really a step towards investing in the life and health of your labor force.

Diligence in Action

Stopping dust from infiltrating the environment you live and work in is important. It’s also important to ensure that safe work practices are an integral part in every area of business. We understand that you are responsible for your employees and your financial success. Do you need material handling equipment that is as reliable as those you employ? Stop by DJ Products today and start breathing a little easier!

Key Productivity Goals for Your Warehouse Operations in 2018

What Are Your Key Productivity Goals?

As the fourth quarter of 2018 approaches, it’s time to start creating your business plan for 2019. Once you firm up the budget for labor, material handling equipment and other expenses, turn your attention to establishing key productive goals that are both challenging and realistic.

Past performance is a starting point, but don’t simply recycle measurements from year to year. Use these helpful guidelines to set accurate goals that give employees a clear roadmap for success.

Use the SMART Method

The more precise your goals, the better equipped employees will be to follow them and the easier it will be to track progress. Make sure goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely.

Maintain Open Communication

Workers are more likely to internalize goals when they feel as though they’re part of the process. Solicit input from employees at all levels and remain open to regular feedback throughout the year.

Determine Key Metrics

What metrics will give you the clearest picture of productivity levels? Units per labor hour, or UPLH, is an industry standard that’s straightforward and efficient.

Other metrics to consider include:

– Safety: Workplace injuries affect the number of experienced workers available and impact morale of other employees.

– Quality: Time spent handling quality issues has a direct impact on UPLH.

– Turnover: New employees have to be trained and they require time to develop the necessary skills, resulting in uneven productivity levels.

DJ Products: Material Handling Equipment for Today and the Future

When warehouse employees have access to high-quality material handling equipment, they can focus on performing job duties to the best of their abilities. Visit our website and let our sales engineers help you find the right electric tugs, pushers and movers for your specific applications.

Amazon Automation Moves Into Inventory and Planning

How is Amazon Changing the Face of Logistics?

Thanks to innovations such as our battery-powered tugger carts, supply chain technology has improved the physical efficiency of warehouse and logistics workers. Today, Amazon is once again in front of the industry with using technology to refine inventory management, a job long considered the exclusive domain of human retailing experts.

Amazon Expands Its “Marketplace”

During Amazon’s infancy, when they began to branch out beyond books, the company struggled to convince companies to sell their products through the online platform. Amazon decided to recruit the best and brightest of business-school graduates and retailing veterans to build their own retail team.

Spurred by that success, Amazon started developing their marketplace concept, spearheaded by Fulfillment by Amazon. With independent merchants able to sell their products on a completely self-service basis, the retail team became less valuable.

By 2015, marketplace sales exceeded retail sales while also generating twice the operating profit margin. While retail vendors once enjoyed preferred status, the playing field leveled as marketplace vendors began receiving the same perks and benefits.

Reaching New Heights of Data Accuracy

At the same time, Amazon rolled out an initiative known as “Hands Off the Wheel” in which demand forecasting, ordering and other inventory-related tasks were moved to algorithms. Initially, humans had the power to override the software, but that changed as the system achieved unprecedented levels of precision.

In what seems to be an inevitable move, the retail and marketplace teams are now merging. As customer demands continue to grow, less reliance on humans keeps Amazon far ahead of competitors such as Walmart and Target.

Optimize Manpower with Tugger Carts from DJ Products

Are you allocating your workforce for maximum efficiency? Contact us to learn how our electric tugger carts can save time and money.

Three Tips to Improving the Bottom-Line at Your Warehouse

Improve the Bottom-Line in Your Warehouse Operation

In the highly competitive warehouse and distribution center industry, it’s more important than ever to minimize expenses and maximize profitability. Our electric material handling equipment helps you allocate valuable manpower more efficiently.

But that’s just a start. Here are some expert tips to reduce costs and optimize your bottom line.

Incorporate a Warehouse Management System (WMS)

How much do you really know about the effectiveness of individual employees? If you’re still using time cards and other old-school methods, the answer is, “not much.”

Warehouse management systems with labor management functionality offer reporting at a granular level that provides unprecedented amounts of data. All the information you need to spot problems is right at your fingertips.

Reduce Excess and Obsolete Inventory

– Discounts available with buying in bulk may be tempting, but it can actually be counterproductive due to increased storage costs. Review the warehouse layout and make any necessary changes to improve space utilization.

– Obsolete inventory also ties up capital and renders warehouse space unprofitable. Slow-moving items can be donated to charity, sold at a discount or disposed of in other creative ways that don’t result in a total loss.

Conduct Ongoing Tech Training

Access to technology isn’t enough. Workers need adequate training to ensure that they’re getting full functionality from tablets, scanners and other devices.

Establish a training program for both current and new employees. Online learning systems allow hands-on training and reduce costs of live training sessions.

DJ Products: Your Top Choice for Material Handling Equipment

Labor is your number one expense. Our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers offer two-fold savings with more efficient manpower allocation and reduced workplace injuries.

Visit our website and chat with our friendly sales engineers to find the best solution for your specific needs.

Material Handling Industry Trends to Watch for 2018

As your preferred material handling equipment supplier, we stay on top of the latest supply chain news and information. Here are five trends to watch for in the upcoming year concerning forklifts and other essential warehouse equipment.

Energy-Efficient Equipment

Electrically-powered material handling equipment is becoming increasingly popular in warehouses and distribution centers. Battery life under optimum conditions is approximately eight hours, which is enough to carry through a full shift. Top efficiency prevents costly downtime due to charging batteries.

Non-Marking Tires

Customer service is one of the biggest selling points for any warehouse. Black rubber dust that settles onto products is cause for dissatisfaction. Non-marking tires also help maintain clean warehouses, which in turn improves worker safety.

Compact Equipment Size

As business increases, more material moves through your warehouse. Demand is increasing for forklifts and other equipment that combine superior lifting and moving capacity with a less bulky profile.

Worker Safety

When you’re looking for ways to reduce costs, workplace injury claims rise to the top of the list. Modern material handling equipment incorporates ergonomic controls and other safety features to reduce the risk of on-site injuries.

Equipment Management

Maximizing equipment life is another way to control costs. Warehouses are using sophisticated systems to compile and analyze data in order to determine maintenance schedules that get the most out of equipment.

DJ Products: Your First Choice for a Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Want to keep up with the latest trends in material handling equipment? Battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers from DJ Products, such as our best-selling CartCaddyLite, check all these boxes and more.

Visit our website and use the handy on-line chat feature, where our sales engineers are standing by to help you find the right solution for your application.

Amazon Warehousing Contractor Pays Out $1.9 Million in Wage Settlement

Amazon Contractor Pays Large Settlement

As your preferred material handling equipment supplier, DJ Products recognizes the importance of providing warehouse employees with good working conditions. Cities and states have specific laws to ensure that workers are treated fairly and honestly.

Unfortunately, such was not the case with a SoCal-based logistics contractor and a group of staffing companies who were faced with allegations of labor law violations. What led to their recent proposed settlement totaling nearly $2 million?

Dodging Regulations to Cut Expenses?

In 2014, a group of workers at a Los Angeles-owned storage facility filed a class action lawsuit against California Cartage Co., which includes Amazon among its clients, as well as several staffing firms. Allegations included:

– Violations of the state’s minimum wage law and L.A.’s “living wage” statute

– Insufficient break periods during times of exceedingly hot weather

– Retaliatory measures against employees who raised objections

While Amazon was not a party to this action, the company has had to answer several lawsuits alleging violations ranging from inadequate safety precautions to non-payment of overtime wages.

Seeking Justice for Wronged Workers

The California Cartage case involved a question of whether workers who filed suit were covered by a policy that applies the “living wage” statute to companies leasing municipal property. In 2016, a judge ruled that the defendant companies were exempt from the policy.

The judge did allow the retaliation suit to move forward, and the defendants were found to have conducted illegal interrogations and threatened employees who took action. A final approval hearing for the $1.9 million settlement is scheduled for October 25.

Eco-Friendly Tugs, Movers and Pushers from DJ Products

Are you looking for a material handling equipment supplier that can provide solutions to your specific productivity and safety needs? Call 800.686.2651 for more information.

Hotel Housekeeping Embraces High Tech Software to Prevent Bottlenecks in Service

Trouble between the front office and housekeeping staff of your hotel? Smart-tech and powered linen carts are driving a revolution, increasing the quality of communication between these two, often rival, staff subsets.

Beating Bottlenecks & Banishing Battles

Smart property management software, or ‘smart PMS,’ paired with powered linen carts, are revolutionizing the hotel industry, allowing for real-time, dynamic status updates that equal unprecedented hotel cost management.

Automatically alerting housekeeping staff via smartphone or mobile device of guest checkouts, smart PMS is reducing tension between housekeeping and front office staff, preventing the need for housekeeping to loiter while awaiting guest checkout, boosting efficiency and room prep times.

The Battle on the Frontline

As guests continue to look to ‘experience’ as a barometer, housekeeping is increasingly on the front line of exceptional service, relied upon to provide spotless rooms that are ready on-time, alongside providing a rapid response to hotel guest requests.

Improve operations with less resources and ensure a higher quality experience for guests by providing them a timely and tidy hotel stay. The future of housekeeping, like many industries, lies in mobile apps and automated technology.

The Future of Housekeeping Management

Leaving inefficient clipboards of printed reports and antiquated walkie-talkies in the rearview, smart PMS and well-organized, well-stocked, self-powered housekeeping carts are giving participating hotels an edge. They also prevent time-wasting trips to the front office and supply closets.

Alerting both housekeeping and front office staff to status changes, cleanings/inspections can be immediately addressed, and front desk staff alerted in real-time on the availability of rooms for early check-in, preventing interruptions in workflow.

Business lagging? Keep things shipshape and moving for employees, guests, and your business with the help of powered linen carts from DJ Products today.

Most Common Forklift Accidents and How to Prevent Them

Always Watch Out For Moving Equipment!

Where there are forklifts, there are forklift accidents. A person who is tired or distracted while operating one of these powerful machines can cause extensive property damage and serious personal injury. One of the best ways to prevent workplace accidents is by using the right material handling equipment for the job.

A large, bulky forklift is not always the best option for moving materials in tight areas where people are working. The following are the most common types of forklift accidents.

Forklift vs pedestrian

The pressure to achieve quotas and accomplish as much work as possible in a short amount of time can result in forklift operators driving too fast. Warehouses and production facilities have lots of obstacles and areas that pedestrians may walk from behind into the path of a fast-moving forklift.

Ongoing safety training is a must. Also, part of the routine maintenance of each forklift should include checking their maximum attainable speed. Speed governors can prevent the heavy machines from reaching high and potentially deadly speeds.

Forklift overturns

Approximately 22 percent of the people killed in forklift accidents are crushed by an overturning forklift. Overturns can happen when drivers make sharp turns at high speed. These fatal accidents can also happen easily when operating forklifts on uneven surfaces.

Proper forklift safety must be enforced. It is better to penalize an unsafe driver or revoke their forklift certification than have someone killed by their unsafe forklift operation. Loads should never be raised while the forklift is in motion. Forklifts should be driven straight up or straight down ramps at safe speeds.

At DJ Products, we specialize in providing you with the most efficient material handling equipment available to safely maximize manpower. Contact us today for a free demo.

Improve Productivity of Your Order Pickers – Part One

Improve Productivity of Your Order Pickers

In order to stay competitive and counteract flat sales, supply chain executives are being tasked with reducing labor costs while customers are ordering more frequently in smaller quantities. State-of-the-art material handling equipment is a start, but what’s the rest of the solution?

How to Maximize Order Picking Productivity

A majority of your workforce is involved in order picking, so that’s a logical place to look for areas of improvement. Here are some valuable tips for improving order picking efficiency.

One SKU per Pick Location

Each SKU should have its own individual pick location. The importance of this principle can’t be overstated. Studies show that multiple SKUs at one location can add 15 seconds per transaction.

Some warehouses slot as many as 10 SKUs in one bin location. Not only does this practice add time to the order picking process, it increases the chances of mispicks.

Implement Batch and Cluster Processes

At least half the time of an order picking job is spent in travel. With the average order coming in smaller quantities, this is a perfect opportunity to combine multiple orders that can be completed in a single pick cycle.

Pick Horizontally, Not Vertically

It’s a time-tested fact that it costs more to pick vertically than horizontally. Ideally, all pick facings should be at ground level.

Are you constrained by the dimensions of your warehouse? Wherever possible, slot the highest-velocity items at ground level and proceed vertically from lowest to highest.

Optimize Labor with Material Handling Equipment from DJ Products

Inferior material handling equipment in the warehouse can reduce both productivity and employee morale. Our best-selling CartCaddyLite and other electric tugs, pushers and movers are like adding another worker to the team.

Call 800.686.2651 for more information.

Tag: material handling equipment