Tag: Material Handling Tips

MHEDA Weighs in with the Top 2023 Trends for the Material Handling Businesses

Trailer Dolly
Material Handling

After weathering unprecedented challenges over the last couple of years, what can the material handling industry anticipate for 2023? DJ Products, maker of the electric trailer dolly, shares the trends that will be shaping your business over the next 12 months.

Top Material Handling Trends for 2023

The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) has been the industry’s leading trade organization for more than 65 years. Here are MHEDA’s top predictions for what you can expect to see in 2023.

1. Supply chain challenges continue to be an issue. Extended lead times and order cancellations are only two of the trickle-down results from this major interruption. Consider diversifying customer offerings as a way to deal with shortages.

2. Record inflation has impacted pricing, expenses, wages and interest rates. Look for an economic correction to take place this year.

3. A tight labor market means increased competition for qualified workers across all industries. Make sure you stay current with compensation levels, benefit packages and flexible work schedules to attract top talent.

4. Due to the pandemic and its effects on the workplace, mental and physical health of employees has become a greater concern than ever. Learn to recognize fatigue, low morale and other signs of health issues. Provide resources and support to workers whenever needed.

5. E-commerce and online sales continue to grow. Set yourself apart from the competition by developing creative ways of providing value-added services to end users.

6. Use and integration of internal and external data has become a crucial part of business operations. The downside is that cyber-attackers have become more sophisticated in their methods. Make cybersecurity a priority in your infrastructure and network and provide employee training, especially if you have remote workers.

7. Legal requirements for contracts, licensing and safety standards are constantly changing. Protect employees and customers by staying on top of the latest regulations.

Bring in the New Year with a Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

Are you providing workers with the right tools to do their job safely and efficiently? Contact us at DJ Products to learn more about our trailer dolly and other material handling solutions.

Five Tips to Improve Material Handling Efficiency

Improve Material Handling with Trailer Dolly
Material Handling Tips

When was the last time you reviewed your material handling procedures? Just a few unnecessary minutes here and there can add up to a serious drain on productivity. Use our battery-powered trailer mover along with these expert tips to improve material handling efficiency in your warehouse or distribution center.

Five Top Tips to Boost Material Handling Efficiency
1. Have experienced workers handle put-aways.

If you assign new employees to put-away duties before they’ve had a chance to learn the layout or best practices, you’ll lose valuable time while they try to figure it out as they go. Let experienced workers take care of put-aways and assign new employees to order picking.

2. Establish different shifts for shipping and receiving.

When workers are constantly shifting gears between shipping and receiving processes, neither function will run as smoothly as it should. Processing shipping and receiving during separate shifts is a better use of time and warehouse space. Be sure to schedule all trucks to avoid pressure on your employees and downtime for drivers.

3. Keep floors well-maintained.

Have your employees become accustomed to dodging potholes and weaving around deteriorating floor sections? Poorly maintained warehouse floors are a double whammy. They slow down work activities and increase the risk of personal injury or damage to products.

4. Improve packing operations.

Customers will judge you by how their orders look when they arrive. Ask yourself the following questions:

    • Are packers frequently forced to look for missing items?
    • Do packers have enough room to perform their job comfortably, without bumping into equipment or each other?
    • Does the packing process follow a logical flow?

 

5. Invite input from forklift operators.

Forklift operators know the warehouse or distribution center better than anyone. Ask your top operators what one thing they would do to improve operations and have them share their go-to tips and tricks with others.

Put a Trailer Mover in Your Truck Yard

DJ Products has a number of electric trailer movers to suit any application. Contact us at 800.686.2651 or use our handy online chat feature for cheerful assistance from our knowledgeable Sales Engineers.

For Efficiency in Material Handling, Equipment Needs to Follow These Guidelines

Increasing Material Handling Efficiency with a Trailer Dolly
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:

    • 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.