warehouse efficiency Archives

How “The Airbnb of Warehouses” Is Revolutionizing E-Commerce

The boom in e-commerce has challenged retailers, who have limited warehouse space. A company dubbed “the Airbnb of warehouses” has stepped in to provide companies with a cost-effective solution.

Have Warehouse, Will Rent

The founders of Seattle-based Flexe were inspired by the offhand complaint of a friend who was struggling to acquire adequate warehouse space for his online business. They began by offering an “overflow” service pairing companies that had unused warehouse space with others that needed temporary storage.

Less than five years later, Flexe has 25 million square feet of storage and expects to add 10 million more in 2017. With zero dollars invested in facilities, Flexe can boast of better geographic coverage than industry titan Amazon.

More Solutions for E-Commerce Companies

In 2016 Flexe added online fulfillment services, which allows warehouse operators to charge additional prices to ship orders directly to customers. This has been an attractive option for companies who want the speedy shipping Amazon provides but still want a direct relationship with customers.

Flexe took another step forward in May when it launched an overnight delivery service. As the company’s co-founder Karl Siebrecht explains, e-retailers can now compete with Amazon Prime in price and delivery while continuing to build their own brand.

Streamline Operations with Warehouse Tugs from DJ Products

Customer satisfaction depends on timely movement of products through the supply chain. Electric warehouse tugs like our popular CartCaddyShorty let a single employee safely move loads up to 3,000 pounds through tight quarters and up and down inclines.

Visit our website and use the online chat feature for real-time assistance from one of our sales engineers.

Start 2019 Out Strong with Our Top Warehouse Efficiency Tips

Start the Year off on the Right Foot in the Workplace!

Is increased efficiency on your list of New Year’s resolutions for your warehouse? Our electric industrial tugs are a safe and cost-effective way to accomplish this goal.

Supplement your efforts with a number of easy-to-implement methods that improve all factors of warehouse performance. Here are tested tips to increase efficiency and boost productivity in 2019:

Communicate Openly and Often

No matter how well everyone knows their job, nothing should be taken for granted. Share all relevant information required to prevent problems and keep order processing moving smoothly.

Embrace Metrics

Metrics provide specific measurements of performance in a straightforward and objective manner. Today there are more tools than ever before to collect and share data in a user-friendly format.

Maximize Vertical Space and Optimize Slots

Expanding vertically is a quick way to add space without expensive renovations. Warehouse management systems (WMS) let you assign slots for maximum productivity based on seasons, inventory levels, SKU movement and other relevant factors.

Reduce Travel Time

Labor is a significant expense, and much of it is taken up with travel time while picking, packing and shipping orders. Analyze your warehouse layout and make sure work stations are set up in a logical order.

Implement Effective Training Programs

As technology becomes more integrated in warehouse management, workers can’t afford to be left out of the loop. Design robust and ongoing training programs that allow employees to be comfortable with new systems and solicit feedback to find areas for improvement.

Industrial Tugs for Every Application from DJ Products

Whatever your need, we have battery-powered industrial tugs, movers and pushers that handle it. Use the handy chat feature on our website and let our friendly sales engineers find the solution that’s right for you.

Key Warehouse Performance Metrics – What to Know

Understanding the Workplace

Goal-setting is necessary for any successful business, but how do you know if you’re on track? Improvements in technology provide advanced performance metrics to evaluate everything from condition of warehouse equipment to order fill rates.

Every warehouse will have its own priorities, but there are some key performance indicators (KPIs) that are applicable to any operation. Here are five major performance metrics and why you should be tracking them.

Truck Time at the Receiving Dock

Companies often focus on the processes that occur on the warehouse floor, but an efficient receiving dock is a crucial part of fulfilling customer demands. Excessive truck times can point to labor shortage or other problems to correct.

Inventory Intake Time

On-site inventory that’s not ready to be picked can actually end up costing money in lost revenue. If it’s taking too long to transfer received items to pick locations, an upgrade in warehouse equipment could be the solution.

Days-on-Hand

The longer a product sits in the warehouse, the more it impacts the bottom line with higher storage costs. Calculate storage cost per item and inventory cost per square foot to see if you’re optimizing inventory management.

Cost per Line Item Shipped

Order picking and packing form the meat-and-potatoes of warehouse operations. With the complexity of factors involved, cost per line item gives you a starting point from which to evaluate the overall process.

Perfect Order Percentage

What is the industry standard for perfect order percentage? Keep in mind that there’s a problem if reducing error rates results in higher expenses.

Achieve Your Goals with Quality Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

Our electric tugs, movers and pushers offer dual benefits of increasing productivity while reducing costly workplace injuries. Contact us for more information.

What Supply Chain Trends are Predicted for 2018 and the Years Beyond Part One

As the U.S. economy continues to improve, business owners and supply chain managers are now facing new challenges. Companies must contend with a shortage of logistics workers and truck drivers. Innovative and efficient warehouse equipment is crucial to maximize manpower and prevent workplace injuries that create even more interruptions to workflow. It is also important that managers understand and prepare for several key supply chain trends coming in 2018 and the years beyond.

Continued innovations in the omnichannel experience

Technology is advancing more rapidly these days than ever before. New improvements in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies reach consumers shortly after being developed and become rapidly integrated into their daily lives. The omnichannel approach to creating a cohesive customer experience is constantly evolving. Companies must keep up while managing revenue in different omnichannel paths.

Service chains take precedence over product chains

Consumers have a lot of options for products. Providing an excellent product is not enough. Companies have to make a personal connection with customers, and those customers have high expectations for post-sale service. People are more likely to share their bad experiences than they are to tell others about good customer service. Companies that consistently deliver top quality customer service will move ahead of those that provide spotty or mediocre service.

SCM will require professional credentials

That comes from SupplyChain247. There are already many universities that offer graduate degrees in supply chain management. Additionally, there are several professional associations. It is likely that professional credentials will soon be required for people working in supply chain management.

We are dedicated to providing material handling and warehouse equipment that saves time, maximizes manpower, and prevents injuries to your team. Contact DJ Products to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales engineers.

Strap-On Body Enhancements May be in the Future for Warehouse Workers

The Future: Wearable Body Enhancements.

Today’s wearable technology puts information such as your heart rate and your pet’s whereabouts right at your fingertips. Now warehouse employees can don a flexible exoskeleton suit that turns them into “superheroes.”

Meet MAX

The Modular Agile Exoskeleton, or MAX, is the brainchild of suitX, a robotics company based in Berkeley, CA. MAX uses assistive bionics technology to reduce the amount of muscle power needed to complete physical tasks in the workplace.

Separate modules protect the shoulder, back and legs, and they may be worn individually or in any combination. The modules are passive, so there are no motors to malfunction.

Increase Workplace Safety and Efficiency

In a press release announcing the arrival of MAX, suitX founder and CEO Homayoon Kazerooni said the suit was intended for jobs “where no robot can work as efficiently as a human.” In addition to warehouses, MAX has applications for delivery services and construction.

Each year, workplace injuries caused by overexertion and stress cost companies billions of dollars in lost productivity, insurance claims and higher premiums. Employees with physically demanding jobs can use MAX to boost lifting power and reduce the stress of repetitive tasks performed in awkward positions.

Maximize Your Workforce Effectiveness with Industrial Tugs from DJ Products

Your employees don’t need superhuman strength to operate our battery-powered industrial tugs. Movers like our CartCaddy 5WP allow a single person to move loads of up to 10,000 pounds, and they’re ergonomically designed to prevent repetitive movement injuries.

Don’t wait until injuries get out of hand. Visit our website and let our sales engineers help you find the right industrial tug for your needs.

Lower Your Risk of Warehouse Injuries with a Focus on Ergonomics

Prevent Warehouse Injuries and Accidents With Ergonomic Equipment

During the course of a typical working day, there are many modern distractions employees are faced with which can cause physical injury. Arm your employees with the knowledge they need to reduce warehouse injuries and accidents by incorporating warehouse ergonomics into their daily work routine.

Remove Warehouse Obstacles

Keeping areas clear of empty boxes and used containers is imperative to prevent injuries caused by slipping and falling.

Importance of Safety Equipment

The number one type of workplace injury is strains and sprains. A lot of these injuries can be prevented with the proper safety equipment available to the employee, such as a back brace, safety harness or equipment that helps them perform their job. Explaining to employees the reasons it is important to use aids will gain employee buy-in and increase overall morale, an important part of reducing employee turnover.

Ergonomic Education

Encourage your employees to learn about ergonomics. By definition, ergonomics is the applied science of workplace equipment design in order to reduce discomfort and fatigue. Having the right industrial equipment available that can move equipment or machinery is safer than an employee trying to manually move or push heavy equipment and risk straining muscles.

Incorporating Warehouse Ergonomics

In order to begin incorporating ergonomics, review the layout of your warehouse, the number of employees and available equipment and machinery. Specialists trained in ergonomics will be able to assist you in choosing the right equipment for your specific work layout.

DJ Products like this CartCaddy Shorty help to reduce employee injuries and workers comp claims. Check out our complete inventory of cart pullers and waste caddies today.

More Tips to Improve Warehouse Efficiency

Continuing our Monday post, today we provide more tips to ramp up warehouse efficiency by improving material handling processes in distribution centers. In a recent Supply Demand Chain article, TriFactor systems engineer Greg Tuohy offered these suggestions:

Re-evaluate pick tech. Eliminate paper-based picking in favor of auto-enhanced technology. Implementing radio frequency (RF), pick-to-voice or pick-to-light technology can make your operation more efficient. Evaluate the density of SKU locations, throughput, product characteristics and specialized procedures such as serial number tracking to determine the pick technology best suited to your operation, Tuohy advises.
Evaluate pick method. Decide which picking method is most cost effective for your operation. Piece picking where the picker walks the aisles picking and completing one order at a time is the most time-consuming and, therefore, most costly. Small, maneuverable powered tugs can facilitate far more efficient batch picking where all orders are picked simultaneously in a single pass. Dolly pullers and electric tugs can also be used to streamline operations that use assembly-line style zone and wave picking. Powered carts and tugs help streamline your operation by increasing the speed and volume of work that can be accomplished by each worker.
Multi-task. Practice task interleaving which combines picking with the put-away process, Tuohy suggests. Interleaving ensures that operators and equipment are always tasked, that time and energy are not wasted on empty loads. The idea is to create a continuous loop where equipment is always loaded, bringing materials to pick locations and returning empty pallets or delivering picked product to shipping locations.
Minimize downtime. Equipment requires planned maintenance. A proactive maintenance plan will minimize downtime and save time and money. Planned maintenance should be conducted on equipment and automated systems on a regular schedule. Correct small problems immediately and keep frequently needed spare parts on hand.
Protect power supply. Assess the vulnerability of your power supply. Lightning strikes, power outages and power spikes can wreak havoc with distribution systems, says Tuohy. Work with your local electric company to install surge protectors and other recommended protections. Battery-powered carts and tugs with enough juice to work through an entire shift can be the lifeline that keeps your operations moving when Mother Nature throws a fit.

Tips for Ramping Up Warehouse Efficiency

The economy is forcing everyone to tighten up operations. Efficiency is today’s business byword. In a timely article posted on Supply Demand Chain, TriFactor systems engineer Greg Tuohy offered provocative tips to ramp up warehouse efficiency by improving material handling processes in distribution centers.

Know where you’re at. Before you can decide where to make improvements, you have to know where you are, says Tuohy. Review operational data and break it down so you can see where your money goes and relationships between processes. Start with the big picture, but break it down to figure the cost of each element in the process. This will show you where you’re getting the best value for your dollar and where you need to tighten up your operation.
Define customer service. Tuohy recommends defining your commitment to customers as narrowly as possible to allow more accurate measurement of success or failure. Defining what constitutes achievement of a perfect order, including labeling, delivery time, damage and documentation, also defines employee goals and customer expectations. Aim for realistic and achievable results that will give you a competitive edge.
Touch it once. Each time an item is touched invites human error. Track the number of times an item is touched from the time the order is received until it ships out of your facility. Work to eliminate as many steps in the process as possible.
Look up. When you need to expand operations, expand upward into unused overhead space instead of laterally. Elevating operations makes more efficient use of available space, allowing you to extend the useful life of your facility.
Map SKUs. Gather data on SKUs in inventory, says Tuohy. Carefully map each SKU for shape, weight and velocity of use. Knowing how fast items move from demand to use allows you to slot your facility for maximum efficiency. “The data also allow you to take advantage of the cubing features of most warehouse management systems in order to calculate the appropriate-sized carton to use for a respective order,” says Tuohy, thus reducing carton and packing filler expenses.

Next time: More ways to ramp up warehouse efficiency

Warehouse Workers in CA Gain a Victory for Workplace Equity

Last month a group of warehouse workers in California gained a major victory for fair and equitable working conditions. Schneider Logistics, a distribution subcontractor, agreed to pay $21 million in wage and hour violations dating back to 2001. The case also has implications for corporations who outsource their warehousing functions to a third party.

Schneider operates three warehouses in Mira Loma, CA that are contracted by national retail giant Wal-Mart. In October 2011, the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement conducted a raid on the facilities. More than $1 million in civil fines were issued for inadequate recordkeeping. That same month, a group of six workers brought suit against Schneider to recover unpaid wages along with penalties and damages. It was later elevated to the status of a class-action lawsuit.

At issue were allegations that “lumpers”, workers who manually load and unload shipping containers, were often forced to work off the clock and denied overtime pay as required by law. Wal-Mart sought to be removed as a defendant, stating that they didn’t technically employ the workers. The judge ruled otherwise, stating that they could be held accountable since they had personnel on site setting productivity metrics and other standards.

While Wal-Mart outsources the warehouses to Schneider, they in turn outsource staffing to two other subcontractors who reached a separate settlement earlier. The outcome is seen as a message to companies who try to deflect responsibility for working conditions onto multiple layers of subcontractors.

Our electric tugs and trailers make a significant contribution toward safer working conditions in warehouses and other applications. Contact one of our Sales Engineers at 800.686.2651 to find the right solution for your organization.

Improve Warehouse Efficiency With Cart Movers

Moving carts throughout your warehouse, even ones mounted on wheels, is a cumbersome and time-consuming task. Traditional equipment like forklifts no longer fit current material handling needs. Improve efficiency and worker safety with one of the battery-powered movers from DJ Products.

Our selection of CartCaddies includes models that can accommodate loads of up to 50,000 pounds. These units are designed to allow easy operation by a single worker, eliminating the need to devote valuable manpower to the tasks. A customized attachment lets the operator quickly connect to the load. In addition, it transfers weight to the CartCaddy tires, providing needed traction.

Are work-related injuries in your workplace cutting into productivity and reducing the bottom line? Our CartCaddies are ergonomically designed to prevent many of the more common injuries. For example, the variable speed twist grip allows smooth starting and stopping without promoting repetitive-stress injuries such as carpal tunnel.

The electric caddies are powered by three 12-volt batteries which will generally last through two shifts of continuous use before recharging. The units are also compact and can pivot a full 180 degrees under the arm attachment, meaning they can smoothly and safely maneuver through even the tightest quarters in your warehouse.

We have an assortment of movers to provide solutions to a wide variety of applications. Our Sales Engineers are ready to help you find the one that’s right for your needs. Call 800.686.2651 or use our convenient online chat feature and find out why you should be a member of Team Cart Caddy.

Tag: warehouse efficiency