Woman Leads the Charge to Help Distribution Centers be More Carrier Friendly

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Hats Off To This Girl Boss!

Our electric yard trucks are designed to make the job of shunting trailers easier and safer for workers of any age, size and gender. One industry group has joined forces with a tech company in an effort to make warehouses and distribution centers more accommodating for all truck drivers.

Changing Attitudes About the Driver Experience

In the past, shippers gave little if any thought to improving the experience of drivers who passed through their facilities. They believed that the practice of “turn and burn,” or loading and unloading trucks as quickly as possible, was more beneficial to the bottom line.

With today’s increased demand for transportation, high rates are eating away at shippers’ profit margins. Companies are finding that making their warehouses more attractive stops can result in them becoming a “shipper of choice,” which in turn can lead to lower rates.

Making Warehouses More “Carrier-Friendly”

Ellen Voie, president and CEO of Women in Trucking (WIT), sees an opportunity to help warehouses become more “carrier-friendly.” With the help of Dan Serewicz, co-founder of Dock411, Voie is gathering data in hopes of giving shippers incentive to make their facilities more welcoming for drivers.

Dock411 is an app that lets truckers share information about shippers such as hours of operation, loading times and driver amenities. The app also includes a simple three-question survey about treatment drivers receive at specific stops. Regular reports are provided to Voie, and she and Serewicz personally contact facilities that receive negative feedback.

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Robotics Disrupt Warehouse Picking Systems with Productivity Advances

Robotics Disrupt Warehouse Picking Systems with Productivity Advances
Ecommerce and the Speed of Fulfillment Drives New Robotic Technology into Warehouses

The rise of e-commerce has increased demand for automated material handling equipment in the warehouse and logistics industry. In particular, the field of robotics is becoming a primary source of solutions for a wide range of warehouse and distribution center applications.

Automation: The Key to Raising Productivity

As more purchasing is done online, order turnaround and delivery time becomes an important way for companies to set themselves above the competition. In addition, facilities are forced to keep greater quantities of SKUs in stock, making traditional methods of warehouse management less efficient.

According to a recent study by Allied Market Research, the global warehouse robotics market is expected to reach $5.2 billion by 2023. E-commerce currently surpasses even the automotive industry for the largest share of this growing market.

How Robots “Stretch” the Workforce

Robots are an ideal way to handle picking and other repetitive tasks so human workers are free to focus on activities that require more precise skills. This is a distinct advantage in light of today’s labor shortage, especially when warehouses need to ramp up for peak seasonal periods.

Loading docks are another prime target for the influx of robotics. Mobile robots designed to load and unload trucks, such as the ones from Bastian Solutions that debuted at the Modex trade show last spring, are well-suited to withstand extreme weather while lifting heavy loads.

Crystal Parrott, vice president of Dematic’s Robotics Center of Excellence, says the robotics industry is still evolving. Next steps include using artificial intelligence to refine robots for more complex tasks.

Quality Material Handling Equipment for All Applications

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Will Tiny Robotic Warehouses Soon Prepare Local Grocery Delivery Orders?

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Is the Future of Warehousing all Digitized and Robotic?

As online shopping moves into the food and beverage category with grocery and restaurant delivery, a Boston-area start-up is taking the trend one step further. They’re combining robots and warehouse equipment to create “micro fulfillment centers” inside existing supermarkets.

Streamlining Grocery Delivery

In October, Takeoff Technologies is scheduled to kick off the first of what they project to be several micro fulfillment centers. The host store is yet to be named, but the center will occupy approximately 20 percent of the facility’s 50,000-square-feet.

Robots are sourced from Knapp, a leading warehouse and supply chain automation company. The mechanical “workers” will shuttle bins of merchandise to human counterparts, who will inspect the items for damage and assemble them into orders.

Benefits of New Technology

The micro fulfillment centers offer a number of potential advantages over the current online grocery ordering model:

– Orders can be ready for customer pick-up in as little as 30 minutes.

– The bin system means robots don’t require optimization to handle every item.

– Order-picking by robots is more efficient than using human workers to shop alongside in-store customers.

Humans and Robots Working Side-by-Side

Max Pedro, co-founder and president of Takeoff, says that their micro fulfillment centers can be operational within three months, as opposed to three years for traditional full-size warehouses. Pedro further explains that artificial intelligence and data science will be used to optimize product slotting in bins.

Takeoff’s platform is in line with the strategy of fulfillment centers across all industries, where human and robot workforces are being combined for their complementary strengths.

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Innovations in Warehouse Automation Allows Less to Do More

Innovations in Warehouse Automation Allows Less to Do More
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

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September Warehouse Cleaning Tips

September Warehouse Cleaning Tips
September Warehouse Cleaning Tips

Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that there were close to three million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported in 2016. Using quality warehouse equipment such as our electric industrial tugs is one way to reduce such incidents. Maintaining a clean workplace is another.

With the busy holiday season approaching, September is a great time to improve the cleanliness of your warehouse. Use this checklist to make good housekeeping habits part of the company culture.

Create a Schedule

It’s easier and more efficient to clean on a regular basis than it is to let dirt, debris and trash build up until clean-up is a difficult, time-consuming job. Create a schedule and assign responsibilities, either by warehouse area or specific duties.

Empty Trash Bins

Full trash bins force employees to find other means of disposal, which can result in littered aisles and workspaces. Make sure bins are emptied before they reach the point of overflow.

Keep Cleaning Supplies Easily Accessible

If cleaning supplies aren’t readily available, workers will be more likely to put off cleaning until it’s “convenient.” Keep appropriate supplies on hand in several locations around the warehouse.

Avoid Aged Inventory

Out-of-date stock that sits in one place for a long time is a magnet for dust. Keep accurate records and make plans to dispose of aged inventory, such as donating to charity or selling at a reduced cost.

Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle

Operating a “green” warehouse contributes to workplace cleanliness, saves money and demonstrates your commitment to environmental responsibility.

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Our industrial tugs are clean, eco-friendly and designed to reduce risk of workplace injuries. Visit our website and use the convenient chat feature to learn more from our cheerful sales engineers.

Tips for Improving Warehouse Picking Accuracy

Tips for Improving Warehouse Picking Accuracy
Tips for Improving Warehouse Picking Accuracy

Thanks to the Internet, today’s customers are savvier than ever. As a result, they have increasingly higher expectations for their buying experience. Top-of-the-line warehouse equipment helps improve productivity, but your employees are the key to greater efficiency.

Order picking is a time-consuming but vital part of warehouse operations. Experts offer the following tips to boost accuracy without sacrificing time.

Set Goals and Track Results

Employees can better focus their efforts when they know what’s expected. Set accuracy goals and track them faithfully so you can pinpoint and address problems before they grow out of hand.

Review the Process from Beginning to End

A problem at any stage of order picking creates a ripple effect that affects the entire process. Carefully review each step to identify any roadblocks.

Count, Recount and Count Again

Even the most effective order pickers make mistakes. As often as possible, count before and after picking, and have shippers and packers reconfirm counts. The time spent is more than offset by savings in returns, accurate inventory data and customer satisfaction.

Embrace Automation Wherever Possible

Automated warehouse solutions have become the norm rather than the exception. You may think you can’t afford to modernize your systems, but you’re even less able to afford losing customers to tech-friendly competitors.

Reduce Walking and Worker Fatigue

Walking adds time to order picking and causes workers to tire, resulting in a slower pace. Optimize product slotting and incorporate solutions such as carton flow racks to reduce travel time.

Conserve Manpower with Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

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Should You Relax Your Warehouse Staff Drug Testing Policies?

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Should You Relax Your Warehouse Staff Drug Testing Policies?

For several decades, pre-employment drug testing has been standard procedure in a wide range of industries. It’s been especially important in supply chain and logistics, with its use of warehouse equipment that requires clear minds and steady hands to operate.

During the last few years, some companies have begun limiting drug tests or eliminating them altogether. Is it time for you to consider relaxing your drug testing policies?

New Perspectives on Drug Use

In the big picture, attitudes toward drugs have been changing throughout the country. As of 2018, marijuana is legal in nine states as well as Washington, DC, giving more than 20 percent of adults the freedom to smoke it.

What’s more relevant for the supply chain and logistics industry is the tight labor market that’s further constricted by drug testing. According to a survey conducted by the Federal Reserve last year, inability of applicants to pass a drug test was included as one of the major obstacles to finding qualified candidates.

Does Recreational Drug Use Matter?

This claim is backed up by the fact that the number of failed drug tests reached a historic level in 2017. Experts predict that totals will continue to rise with the spread of state-legalized marijuana.

Some companies are adopting the attitude that what employees do on their personal time is irrelevant. Relaxed drug testing policies also allow companies to hire the best candidate for the job instead of issuing blanket rejections based on recreational drug use.

Warehouse Equipment that Improves Workplace Safety

Workplace injuries are a costly drain on productivity. Our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers are designed to let a single employee move heavy loads with less risk of musculoskeletal or repetitive-motion injuries.

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Material Handling Industry Trends to Watch for 2018

Material Handling Industry Trends to Watch for 2018
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

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Tips to Cool Down Your Overheated Warehouse in August

How to Get Cool in August
How to Get Cool in August

Some cultures have the traditional siesta to cope with the dog days of summer, but companies don’t have that luxury. How do you keep the heat from affecting your employees, warehouse equipment and inventory?

Use these helpful tips to keep your warehouse cool and you’ll have it made in the shade.

Monitor Warehouse Temperature

Cooling a warehouse is much different than cooling an office building.

– Ensure that the building is sufficiently insulated.

– Supplement air conditioning with ceiling or industrial fans if necessary.

– Shut off any machinery that’s not in use.

Use Appropriate Supplies

Thermal labels and other warehouse supplies can malfunction during times of extreme heat. Review the supplies used in your warehouse to determine where alternative products are required.

Maintain Proper Inventory Control

Avoid carrying excess inventory, which increases the chances of spoilage. Even if products are not heat-sensitive, too much stock can prevent optimum airflow within the warehouse.

Invest in Dehumidifiers

Moisture in the air makes it heavier, which raises the perceived heat levels. Dehumidifiers remove moisture and make air conditioning more efficient.

Keep Doors and Exits Closed

When doors and gates are constantly opening, it lets cold air out and hot air in. Consider installing curtains or strip doors on exits that are used frequently.

Prevent Heat Exhaustion

High temperatures can lead to negative effects ranging from low morale to heat stroke. Provide frequent breaks and plenty of water so workers can stay cool and hydrated, and educate employees on the symptoms of heat exhaustion.

Beat the Heat with Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

Moving heavy loads in excess heat increases the chance of workplace injuries. Visit our website to learn how our electric warehouse equipment increases productivity, even during hot weather, while reducing injury risk.

Amazon Warehousing Contractor Pays Out $1.9 Million in Wage Settlement

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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.