tuggers Archives - DJ Products

Warehouse Workers Adapt to New Roles as Robots Move In

Robots Are Changing Warehouse Staffing and Management Techniques

Amazon is unquestionably an industry leader. The e-commerce company surpassed Walmart as the biggest retailer by market value years ago. According to Fortune, Amazon is worth more than Costco, Target, and Walmart combined. Companies like Walmart are scrambling to maintain revenue by increasing their focus on e-commerce. Currently, nobody does e-commerce better than Amazon. And the company Jeff Bezos founded in 1994 is fully embracing warehouse equipment and robots to stay ahead of others.

New challenges for employees

In the not so distant past, monotonous, repetitive jobs were done by humans for low pay. Thanks to advancements in technology, robots are now capable of doing more intricate tasks. While it’s true that many jobs that were traditionally completed by human hands are now being done by robots, Amazon’s staggering growth has created an abundance of other jobs that need to be filled by human workers. These jobs are mentally challenging and not repetitive, says 21-year-old Nissa Scott, who began working at one of Amazon’s New Jersey warehouses last year. She is responsible for monitoring and troubleshooting several robots.

Warehouse equipment benefits employees and companies

Warehouse management has a lot of things happening all at once and countless repeatable processes. Reliable, efficient equipment along with a proper focus on ergonomics and employee training helps to maintain profitability for a company by preventing back strains, reducing slip and fall injuries, and lowering the company’s costs associated with workplace injuries. The average cost to an employer due to a common trash room injury is more than $41,000.

Contact DJ Products to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales engineers about which of our material handling equipment products are best for your company’s needs.

Warehouse Management And Productivity Tips Part Two

Our Productivity and Management Tips for Warehouse Managers

DJ Products is more than just your preferred material handling equipment supplier. We’re your source for the latest information and tips on warehouse management solutions.

Here are more ideas from experts on how to improve operations and maximize productivity.

Eliminate Dead Spots

Warehouse space is valuable. Use an asset tracking system to monitor how often items are picked. If an product is rarely picked, move it to drop-shipping and put a higher-turning item in the slot.

Streamline the Returns Process

Handling returns is one of the more cumbersome processes in a warehouse. Automate the procedure with a specialized returns system such as a warehouse management system (WMS).

Control Freight Costs

Many people accept freight charges as the cost of doing business, but few elements eat into profits as quickly. Talk to an experienced consultant who can offer helpful advice on negotiating better rates.

Re-Slot Pick Positions as Needed

Changing slot positions may seem inefficient, but it’s actually the opposite. Business is constantly changing, and your strategies need to change with it. Keeping items slotted correctly lets your employees make better use of their time.

Make Safety a Top Priority

Manpower is your greatest asset. Use industry safety regulations as a starting point, not an ending point. You should constantly be looking for ways to implement better safety practices.

Save Time and Money with Material Handling Solutions from DJ Products

Our battery-powered tugs, pushers and movers pay multiple dividends for warehouse efficiency. They let your employees accomplish more in less time while avoiding workplace injuries.

Visit our website and use the real-time chat feature for assistance from our friendly sales engineers. They’re one of the reasons why DJ Products is your first choice for a material handling equipment supplier.

What Supply Chain Trends are Being Driven by Cloud Technology?

Supply Chain Management is Moving to the Cloud

Businesses that have embraced cloud technology have a clear advantage over their competition. This is especially true in the area of supply chain management. Technology that is commonplace today was difficult for most people to believe possible just a few years ago.

By analyzing current supply chain trends that are driven by cloud technology you can get an idea of industry changes yet to come and position your business to stay ahead of competitors. Optimizing manual processes with modern material handling equipment should be a part of every business plan.

Improved security

Many company managers were reluctant to embrace cloud technology due to security concerns. They felt anytime data left the company’s premises it was placed at higher risk. The concern was understandable. Over the past few years, cloud providers have improved infrastructure security to comply with mandatory standards for HIPPAA, SOX, FedRAMP, and other regulatory agencies.

Smart robots

Assembly-line robots and other industrial robots have been in use for decades. Cloud technology is making it possible for these robots to work smarter and humans to work more efficiently alongside these artificially intelligent machines that are constantly learning. Modern robots can navigate complex work environments and improve the efficiency of order fulfillment and all other aspects of e-commerce.

Enhanced integration

According to a recent article by business.com, integrated organizations will outperform the competition going forward. Cloud technology makes it easier for companies to collaborate with their customers, business partners, and employees.

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is rapidly becoming commonplace in supply chain management. It allows people to better manage material handling equipment, warehouse inventory, and delivery truck routes. Cross-channel integration requires intra-organizational and inter-organizational reconfigurations along with a dedicated investment in the company’s IT department.

Will President Trump’s Focus on Imports and Exports Impact the Nation’s Warehouses?

With so much emphasis placed on trade policy by President Donald Trump, the warehouse industry remains on high alert for any clues about what the future will bring. If policies will truly reduce the trade deficit, how will your warehouse be affected?

The Trump administration says that they want the U.S. to “reclaim all of the supply chain and manufacturing capability” that they believe have been lost to overseas competitors.

Warehousing Outlook in the Trump Era

Over at Material Handling & Logistics, industry experts point to a Cushman & Wakefield study that predicts major changes — but that President Trump will stop short of pulling out of NAFTA or initiating a trade conflict with China.

At DJ Products, we keep tabs on the industry because our warehouse movers and tugs can play an integral role in a company’s speed and agility in changing circumstances. Here’s what seems clear about Trump Administration policy and the warehousing industry:

• Imports from countries that subsidize their goods below market value may get tariffs added.

• U.S. warehouses, which have increased by 3.5 billion square feet since the start of NAFTA in 1995, will continue to see plenty of trade with Canada and Mexico.

• China’s growing wealth and consumerism will help increase the amount of U.S. exports to China.

Warehouse Movers and Tugs for Material Handling Efficiency

Whether your warehouse handles imported goods or serves as a logistics center for a U.S. manufacturer, the years ahead will hold plenty of changes no matter which Trump Administration trade policies take effect.

DJ Products can help your business grow and improve efficiency with industrial cart movers, warehouse movers and tugs.

When Do You Need To Replace Your Forklift With A Tugger?

Forklifts have been a mainstay of warehouses and manufacturing facilities for decades. Lately, though, you may have found yourself wondering if it’s time to update with equipment tugs. You’ve heard about the improved efficiency they offer, but are they really worth the investment?

Equipment tugs can definitely add value to your operation, and many of the benefits may be ones you never even realized. Here are some questions to ask about your material handling needs that will demonstrate specific improvements tugs can provide.

Are you finding your inventories slowly increasing? Lift trucks work better with full cases and pallets, which results in excess inventory stacked in the aisles. Tugs allow you to replenish materials as needed, keeping inventories lean and floors and aisles clear.
Are your customers ordering in smaller quantities? Tugs offer a great solution for split-case and direct-to-consumer picking.
Are you seeing a lot of forklift accidents and workman’s comp claims? On-site safety is enhanced with the use of tugs. Their smaller size makes them less obtrusive on the work floor and they’re equipped with safety features such as alarms and power-stops. In addition, tugs are ergonomically engineered for maximum ease of operation.
Does the work flow frequently become slowed down by bottlenecks? Easy maneuverability of tugs means a smoother flow of materials throughout your facility.

Whatever application you require, DJ Products has your solution. We offer a wide variety of tugs for warehouses, manufacturing plants, containers, automobiles and aircraft. Call 800.686.2651 to speak to one of our Sales Engineers.

Ergonomic Tuggers Features Increase Carts’ Versatility

DJ Products’ ergonomically designed tuggers have numerous features designed to improve ease of use, safeguard your workers’ health and safety, and increase the versatility of the product. Here’s a rundown on just a few of the innovative features that set DJ Products’ CartCaddies above the competition:CartCaddy power carts and tuggers are equipped with a standard 36-volt system. Three 12-volt batteries provide 16 hours of continuous use – two full shifts — before recharging is necessary.Our motorized products are designed as walk-behind or ride-behind units to provide maximum operator control and safe sight lines. Variable-speed twist grips allow operators to instantly control the speed of the unit to match their own pace. Walk-behind units are capable of forward and reverse speeds from 0 to 3 mph; ride-behinds can achieve speeds up to 6 mph.DJ Products’ tuggers feature an ergonomically-designed variable-speed twist grip to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome while allowing the operator to maintain smooth control of the vehicle, even during intricate maneuvering.A safety stop switch is conveniently positioned at the back of the handle bar box on our CartCaddies. When depressed, this essential safety device immediately stops the unit to prevent operator injury.Compactly designed, our CartCaddies can easily maneuver in small, tight spaces, in heavily-trafficked corridors, and along busy production lines.Our spring hitch option and customized adjustable attachment provide maximum flexibility, allowing DJ Products’ tuggers to adapt to a wide variety of applications. With our customized attachment, there’s no need for expensive fabrication of multiple attachments for each cart or piece of equipment. Our CartCaddy products attach to all types of heavy carts and equipment quickly and easily, eliminating the considerable expense of installing tow arms or receivers. Our compact, highly maneuverable dolly movers can even accommodate applications where the product overhangs the framework of the cart without the need to modify each dolly. The CartCaddy’s adjustable attachment springs down and upward, attaching firmly to the bottom of any cart or piece of equipment.An electric lift option allows loads to be easily raised and lowered as needed, preventing potential worker injury from lifting and straining.DJ Products’ CartCaddy pullers and movers can pivot a full 180 degrees under the customized mover arm. This allows the operator to safely and smoothly turn loads a full 90 degrees without repositioning the cart and without fear of jackknifing when maneuvering heavy loads.These are just some of the superior use and safety features you’ll find available on DJ Products’ full line of tuggers. For complete information and detailed specifications on our complete product line, click here to visit our website.

Use Ergonomics to Improve Lifting Safety

Lifting and carrying are the two material handling tasks that result in the greatest number of worker injuries each year. (See our May 14 post on tips for ergonomic carrying.) Applying ergonomics to material handling tasks that involve lifting reduces the need for reaching and bending and the injury-producing stress those actions can place on the back and shoulders. Ergonomics also strives to reduce the amount of effort and force necessary to perform lift tasks.

Calculations of lift force involve both the amount of weight to be lifted and the time period over which the average worker can lift that weight without risk of developing lower back pain. Under ideal conditions, the maximum weight a typical healthy worker can lift with two hands over an 8-hour period is 51 pounds, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). However, a number of variables can significantly reduce the maximum lift weight.

To decrease the potential risk of injury from lift tasks, both overall work flow and individual work tasks should be evaluated to eliminate unnecessary lifting. Where lifting is necessary, ergonomically designed equipment can be used to facilitate many lift tasks. Workers can also be trained to use ergonomic principles in performing lift tasks to minimize potential injury.

To decrease injuries caused by lifting, follow these suggestions:

Use ergonomic electric scissor lift tables and power hoists to lift and lower loads where possible to minimize manual lifting.
Minimize the distance materials must be lifted or lowered.
Use adjustable powered tugs that allow workers to position lift loads at the appropriate height for maximum lifting power.
Tag unstable or heavy loads to alert workers. Promote team lifting of such loads to minimize potential worker injury.
Test loads for weight and stability before lifting.
Reduce load weights and balance loads to facilitate lifting without injury.
Rotate workers between lifting and non-lifting tasks or have workers alternate lifting with non-lifting tasks to avoid over-straining muscles.
Reduce the frequency of lifting and amount of time workers perform lifting tasks.
Provide clear access to materials to be lifted to prevent awkward reaching, bending and twisting during lifting.
Provide secure grips on materials to be lifted.
Provide sufficient foot traction with the floor to increase worker stability during lifting.

New small electric aircraft tug pulls up to 35,000 lbs.

DJ Products, Inc. is the world’s leader in providing battery-powered carts and a cart tug to the manufacturing, hospital, retail and aircraft industries. They provide solutions that eliminate the strains and pains associated with manually pushing heavy carts and wheeled equipment, or are less costly, smaller, and more maneuverable than traditional equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks which are not designed to push/pull wheeled carts and equipment.

Continue reading “New small electric aircraft tug pulls up to 35,000 lbs.”

Electric Tuggers Improve Ergonomics in Material Handling

Improving the ergonomics of material handling decreases worker injuries, improves workplace efficiency and leads to a healthier bottom line. Medical costs, insurance premiums, workers’ compensation payments and lost man-hours soar when ergonomics are ignored. Material handling is one of the most injury-intensive industries, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Every effort you make to fit the demands of work tasks to the capabilities of your workers (i.e., ergonomics) will decrease costs and ultimately improve profit margins.Material handling requires many actions that can result in serious and expensive musculoskeletal injuries. Repetitive motions, awkward postures and the application of force as workers lift, push, pull, carry and handle materials create daily opportunities for injury. Attention to ergonomics in designing tasks, workspaces and equipment can dramatically decrease the physical demands and injury potential of many material handling activities.Carrying and lifting are the two actions that present the greatest potential for worker injury when handling materials. Today we’ll address tips for ergonomic carrying; on Friday, we’ll share tips for lifting ergonomically.Carrying tasks place stress on the back and shoulders and create contact pressure on the shoulders and hands. When repeatedly strained or overstressed, the effort and force needed to carry materials can cause injury. To decrease injuries caused by carrying, follow these suggestions:

Eliminate unnecessary carrying.
Minimize the distances materials must be carried and use electric tuggers to carry materials over longer distances.
Organize work tasks so that physical demands and work pace increase gradually as muscles warm up.
Rotate workers or alternate carrying with non-carrying tasks to prevent overstraining the body and give muscles a chance to rest between efforts.
Wear properly fitting gloves to improve grip stability.
Reduce load weights and test loads for stability and balance before carrying.
Slide, push or roll materials. These actions place less stress on the body than carrying.
Use conveyors, slides or chutes to move materials.
Use electric tuggers to transport heavy loads.

Efficient Wheel Design Reduces Friction

Friction occurs when two surfaces come into contact, as when a wheel rests on a floor. Friction is the force that resists movement between the objects. Under theoretically perfect conditions, the ideal wheel environment would be a hard, smooth wheel rolling over a hard, smooth surface. In real life, perfect conditions never exist. In a typical work environment, using a hard wheel will often result in higher rolling resistance, as well as increased noise and vibration.

Both static and dynamic forces affect friction. The initial push force necessary to place an object in motion is the static force. Static force is generally greater than dynamic force which is the exertion necessary to keep the object moving. Wheel design must consider bother static and dynamic force.

In a wheel or caster system, there are three places where friction can affect force:

at the point where the axle and wheel interface;
if a swivel caster, in the swivel housing; and
at the ground/wheel interface, particularly at any points where the wheel will slide or pivot on a surface.

The efficiency of a wheel or caster in reducing friction is dependent not only upon the appropriate design of the wheel itself, but also on the materials used in its construction and the placement of the wheels on the equipment to be moved.

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