warehouse equipment Archives - Page 10 of 11

Batch or Wave Picking – Which is Best for Your Order Fulfillment Warehouse?

Did you realize that pickers in your order fulfillment warehouse spend nearly two-thirds of their shift moving their tugger carts from one bin to another? Batch picking and wave picking reduce that time for improved efficiency. Which process is right for your warehouse?

Batch Picking

As implied by the name, batch picking involves sorting orders into batches that can be picked at the same time. This cuts down the number of times pickers must visit the same bin location.

Batch picking in small-order warehouses can more than double average pick rates. Since items are usually transported by cart rather than conveyor, batch picking also reduces expenses.

Experts recommend batch picking for warehouses with a higher concentration of SKUs over a large area or those with SKUs in densely populated locations. Varying the number of orders in each batch boosts productivity by limiting traffic on the warehouse floor.

Wave Picking

On the other hand, wave picking calls for pickers to work in specific zones rather than on batches. Once all the items are picked, they are collated into individual orders.

Wave picking generally works best in distribution centers with large numbers of SKUs. The process can be refined further into fixed waves, in which orders aren’t packed until the entire wave is picked, and dynamic waves, where each individual order is packed as soon as it’s completed.

Streamline Your Warehouse with Tugger Carts from DJ Products

When employees struggle to transport outsized or heavy loads, it seriously impacts productivity in your order fulfillment warehouse. Our full line of electric tugger carts offers a solution for every application.

Visit our website to learn more about tugger carts such as our best-selling CartCaddyLite, which can transport carts weighing up to 1,500 pounds.

Good Warehouse Housekeeping – Improves Safety and Prevents Injury

Good housekeeping shouldn’t be confined to your place of residence. Maintaining a tidy workplace and using tugger carts reduce injury risk and promote high levels of efficiency.

Incorporate these expert tips for making cleanliness an important part of your workplace culture.

Prevent Slips-and-Falls

Slips, trips and falls are second only to musculoskeletal stress as a cause of workplace injuries.

– Keep aisles and doorways free of obstructions.

– Clean up spills and leaks as soon as they occur.

– Immediately repair or replace worn-out or damaged flooring.

– Use strategically placed floor mats to provide traction and prevent employees from tracking materials across the warehouse.

Control Dust

A layer of dust no thicker than a dime presents a serious explosion risk. Use vacuums and compressed air to keep all surfaces, materials and equipment dust-free.

Remove Clutter

Clutter forces employees to restrict their movements, which can lead to sprains, cuts and other injuries. Make it a habit to return items to their proper place after use and keep extraneous items out of the workplace.

Use Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, closed-toed shoes and face masks should be used appropriately, with no exceptions. Have supervisors conduct regular checks to make sure all PPE is in good working condition.

Create and Maintain Written Housekeeping Policies

Create a manual thoroughly detailing housekeeping policies and keep it updated. All employees should be trained on proper procedures and have convenient access to the manual.

Save Time and Money with Tugger Carts from DJ Products

Our battery-powered tugger carts pay for themselves many times over in improved productivity and reduced workplace injuries. Visit our website and get real-time assistance from our sales engineers to select the perfect tugger carts for your warehouse.

Protect Your Warehouse Workforce from Cold Stress

It’s not just warehouse equipment that suffers the ill effects of cold weather. When the temperature drops, employees are vulnerable to a number of physical conditions ranging from non-threatening to serious.

How do you protect your workforce from the effects of winter? Follow these guidelines to keep employees safe during cold weather conditions.

Understand Cold Stress

Cold stress occurs when frigid temperatures and wind combine to lower skin temperature, eventually leading to reduced internal body temperature. Dampness can accelerate the process.

Monitor the Weather

Appearances can be deceiving. It’s not enough to go by the air temperature. Wind chill allows for the factor of wind speed, which can make actual conditions even colder than what the thermometer shows.

Train Employees

Supervisors should:

– Keep a close watch on employees for signs of cold stress

– Assign workers in pairs or groups

– Allow frequent breaks in warm, dry areas

Employees should:

– Learn to recognize conditions that promote cold stress

– Learn what to do if they or co-workers begin showing signs of exposure

– Dress in appropriate clothing and accessories

Know the Signs

– Trench foot results from exposure to wet and cold for long periods of time. Symptoms include red skin, numbness, tingling and cramps.

– Frostbite begins as reddened skin and progresses to patches of gray and white.

– Hypothermia is characterized by uncontrollable shivering, while more serious cases can cause slurred speech, clumsiness and confusion.

DJ Products: Your Year-Round Source for Warehouse Equipment Moving Solutions

In any type of weather, musculoskeletal stress is the number one cause of workplace injuries. We offer a comprehensive line of electric warehouse equipment movers designed to reduce the risk of lifting and repetitive motion tasks.

Call 800.686.2651 to learn more from our helpful sales engineers.

Amazon Fulfillment is Impacting Warehouse Labor Market

The U.S. Labor Department estimates that the number of retail jobs lost over the past 17 years is the same as the number of new hires by online retailers like Amazon. That staggering number is approximately 444,000 people. The e-commerce industry toppled retail by providing a new kind of customer convenience and by maximizing manpower with warehouse equipment to quickly move high volumes of products through the system.

The labor market changes

In past years, retail workers were spread across the country at brick and mortar stores. Currently, an increasing number of shoppers have opted to do more of their shopping online. This has resulted in huge warehouses located in a small number of strategic locations that need workers to fulfill customer orders.

Although President Obama and President Trump have bemoaned Amazon eliminating traditional retail jobs, a recent DallasNews article reports the e-commerce industry is adding more jobs than the retail sector is losing. For many people previously employed in face-to-face retail, the pay, benefits, and working conditions are better in the warehouse industry.

Some previous retail workers are still struggling

With e-commerce, the warehouse industry now provides some markets with plenty of available jobs with good pay. Amazon warehouses are clustered near a relatively small number of Amazon facilities, which leaves some displaced retail workers struggling to find work. Online retailers still rely on people with jobs purchasing goods for revenue. Where and how the U.S. economy finds a balance for the e-commerce revolution is not entirely clear.

At DJ Products, our mission is to provide warehouse equipment to help businesses operate more efficiently and prevent injuries to warehouse staff. Contact us today to speak with one of our helpful sales engineers about our full line of products.

Warehouse Management And Productivity Tips – Part One

Use Our Tips to Increase Warehouse Productivity

Warehouse managers understand the importance of having quality material handling equipment for maximum productivity. That’s only one of the numerous factors involved in efficient warehouse organization and operations.

Here are the top tips from industry experts for managing your warehouse with a focus on consistently high productivity levels.

Automate the Data Collection Process

With today’s sophisticated technology, there’s no reason for employees to collect data manually. Bar codes and radio frequency identification allow previously unattainable standards of accuracy, even when you’re dealing with tens of thousands of items.

Promote Company-Wide Information Sharing

Visibility has demonstrable effects on productivity. One supply executive at a large retailer noted that faster access to information can help produce a double-digit decrease in cycle times.

Use Bin Locations

Some in the industry believe that bin locations require keeping vendor lines together. In fact, bin locations let you locate items based on sales volume, reducing the amount of time needed to pick orders.

Assign Unique Tracking Numbers

It may seem like a no-brainer to track items by serial numbers, but these numbers can often be duplicated across assets. The end result is compromised data integrity and customer dissatisfaction.

Eliminate Procrastination

This is such a basic concept, but so few people adhere to it. Putting off tasks, no matter how insignificant they may seem, creates a ripple effect that can result in serious work disruptions.

DJ Products: The Leader in Material Handling Equipment for Every Need

Workplace injuries have a devastating impact on productivity and profitability. Our material handling equipment solutions are ergonomically designed to reduce the risk of injury from moving heavy loads and performing repetitive motions.

Visit our website to learn more from our friendly and knowledgeable sales engineers.

Stock-Taking by Drone Emerges in Futuristic Warehouses

Drones for the Futuristic Warehouse

Amazon made waves a few years ago when they announced ongoing development of Prime Air, their drone-based package delivery system. Also, their supply chain took another step toward full automation with the roll-out of the first autonomous inventory scanning and stock-taking system.

Drone-Based Inventory Management

Infinium Robotics is an award-winning start-up specializing in Unmanned Aerial Systems (AES) that incorporate drones. The company has spent three years working on Infinium Scan, a system specifically designed to address slow stock-checking turnover in warehouses.

After staging a series of progressive demonstrations for major warehouse operators, Infinium Robotics held the official debut of Infinium Scan at Bolloré Logistics, an international transport leader. Invited guests witnessed a live demonstration of the system in action.

Benefits of Infinium Scan

Due to its autonomous nature, Infinium Scan reduces the risk of theft while improving safety and accuracy. According to Infinium Robotics CEO Junyang Woon, the system increases productivity through precise indoor navigation and automated scanning, even to the highest reaches of the warehouse.

Global logistics giant DHL Group in Singapore hosted DHL Innovation Day to recognize current breakthroughs in warehouse technology. Infinium Scan received the award of “Most Valued Future Idea” out of a field of more than 140 entries, including some from DHL clients.

Boost Safety and Productivity with Warehouse Tugs and Pullers from DJ Products

Are workplace injuries affecting your company’s productivity? Electric warehouse tugs and pullers such as our popular CartCaddyShorty allow a single employee to easily maneuver loads weighing thousands of pounds.

Visit our website and let our friendly sales engineers help you find the best material handling equipment solutions for your applications.

What’s In Store for the “Smart” Warehouse of the Future?

The Smart Warehouse is Here!

Technology has been making inanimate objects like cell phones and appliances “smart,” and warehouses are part of the revolution. Companies who embrace the concept of smart warehouses today will reap the benefits of increased profitability in the future.

Robotics and Automation

For some time now, production and assembly tasks have been shifted to automated warehouse equipment, but some companies like Amazon are pushing the envelope and using machines for packing, shipping and other fulfillment services.

Customer Relationship Management

Customers certainly benefit from the improved accuracy and faster ship times that result from automation, and many companies are adopting chatbots to handle the initial order process and basic troubleshooting. But the personal touch hasn’t been eliminated altogether, as human intervention is still needed to solve more complex issues.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

The IoT is what allows you to shop and place orders from such diverse means as a smart phone and touch-screen kiosks. Industry 4.0, or the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), is the technology that’s creating self-contained automation, such as self-driving forklifts and order picking robots.

Seasonal Functionality

In the past, employees were forced to deal with seasonal workflows on top of normal day-to-day operations, which often meant sacrificing efficiency. Smart warehouses are better equipped to handle seasonal inventory without interrupting regular operations.

Material Handling Solutions for Smart Warehouses

Smart warehouses call for smart solutions to move heavy warehouse equipment safely and efficiently. DJ Products has a full line of electric tugs, pushers and movers to fit any application. Visit our website or call 800.686.2651 to learn more from our friendly sales engineers.

Reforms Coming to DoD Acquisition Including Online Marketplace

Reforms Are Coming to Online DoD Acquisitions

E-commerce has changed the way Americans shop, and that could soon include the Department of Defense. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2018 would allow DoD to purchase through the same online marketplaces used by civilians and commercial buyers.

Is E-Commerce a Solution for DoD Spending?

Defense Department purchasing has traditionally been done through DoD contracting or the General Services Administration (GSA) calendar, which includes set pricing. Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, proposed that DoD be given the ability to purchase online from retailers such as Amazon and Staples.

According to Thornberry and other proponents, the reform would allow DoD to enjoy significant savings on off-the-shelf goods such as bottled water and treadmills. A recent GSA Inspector General report found that GSA prices run 13 percent higher than the open market.

DoD would also benefit from access to data allowing improved tracking and analysis of purchases. As Thornberry explained, such a level of transparency and accountability would be “revolutionary” for these processes.

The bill passed out of committee into the House, where it was approved on July 14 by an overwhelming vote of 344-81. It now awaits the Senate’s passage of its own version of the bill so the two can be reconciled.

DoD Contractor Equipment Supplier Solutions from DJ Products

Are you a DoD contractor equipment supplier looking for a cost-effective way to improve efficiency and workplace safety? Visit our website to learn more about our CartCaddy and other electric tugs and pushers that easily move heavy vehicles and equipment like aircraft, explosives and refueling tanks.

Demand for Warehouse Space Continues to Outpace Supply

Warehouse Supply Trends

When it comes to lucrative real estate properties, warehouses might not be the first things that come to mind. Over the last few years, a number of factors have combined to make warehouses a hot commodity in the business world.

Demand for Warehouse Space Continues to Grow

According to real estate company CBRE, during the second quarter of 2017 the warehouse availability rate dropped to 7.8 percent, marking the lowest level since the first quarter of 2001 and the 27th decline over the last 28 quarters.

Not surprisingly, the scarcity of warehouse space has driven a corresponding increase in rental rates. Average rates are up 10 percent in the top coastal markets and average asking prices are $5.25 per square foot, a significant jump from $4.62 per square foot two years ago.

Construction Is Slow to Meet the Increased Need for Warehouses

While existing warehouse space is in high demand, new construction has so far failed to pick up the slack. Projections called for a total of 46.5 million square feet in new warehouse space to be completed during the second quarter, but the actual total amounted to 40.2 million square feet.

Jeff Havsy, CBRE’s chief economist in the Americas, attributes the tight warehouse market to strong economic growth. Other causes include gains in port traffic and the continued upswing in e-commerce.

Industrial Tugs for All Jobs Big and Small

No matter what size your warehouse is, electric industrial tugs from DJ Products let your employees move heavy loads quickly and safely. Visit our website and use our handy online chat feature to learn more from our knowledgeable sales engineers.

Amazon’s Robotic Warehouses Are Shifting the Warehousing Industry to Focus on Robots to Stay Competitive

Robots Are Coming to Warehouses to Improve Efficiency

When Amazon acquired the leading warehouse robotics company, Kiva Systems, in 2012, some feared that the e-commerce giant would monopolize the technology. Instead, we’ve seen a boom of competition for robotics innovation.

Fortunately, fears of lost jobs due to automation have also been tempered. Warehouse equipment, whether it’s a robot or powered tug, can serve to reduce physical injuries and stress for warehouse workers.

From third-party logistics to robotic picking and transporting, warehouse automation continues to evolve and diversify thanks to the healthy competition from robotics firms.

How Warehousing Itself Has Changed

In many ways, it’s not just Amazon but rather the rise of e-commerce itself that has changed warehousing. Instead of loading shipments for brick-and-mortar stores, warehouses are more often packing individual shipments for customers.

For the human workers, picking countless items comes with a heavy physical toll. Repetitive stress injuries, back and neck injuries, and pure exhaustion have long been par for the course. With a powered tug to transport items, or even a robotic picker to locate items for a human to grab, the work becomes less demanding and more manageable.

Protect and Empower Human Workers

Today’s robotics and automated warehouse equipment are not replacing all the humans. The technology can actually make people’s jobs better. As Rick Faulk of Locus recently told reporters, “Now it’s about humans and robots working collaboratively.”

Is your company doing enough to stay competitive and keep up with warehousing technology? Simple and effective steps like removing a time-consuming physical task can easily translate into huge efficiency gains. Consider what our powered tug and cart puller equipment can do for your warehouse.

Tag: warehouse equipment