Warehouse Management Tips: How to Be Prepared for When Predictions Fail

Be Prepared When Predictions Fail
Be Prepared When Predictions Fail

Technology has put more information than ever before in the hands of warehouse managers. Unfortunately, not everything is as reliable as quality warehouse equipment. Even the most knowledgeable predictions can fail to materialize.

How do you keep erroneous predictions from throwing operations off course? Follow these three helpful tips to be prepared for curves in the road.

Manage Costs Carefully

The boom in online retailing has been something of a mixed blessing. Sales have gone up, but profits are shrinking due to free shipping, competitive pricing and other costs of gaining customers.

– High-tech improvements are necessary but expensive, so focus on the long-term return on investment.

– Don’t be afraid to let shoppers bear some of the costs. Stricter return policies, free-shipping minimums and focus on high-value items are strategies to indirectly reduce costs while still providing customer satisfaction.

Maximize Square Footage

When is the last time you reviewed your warehouse layout? Do a careful analysis to identify dead space, optimize placement of high-volume SKUs and make any other changes needed to ensure full productivity of the entire footprint.

“Listen” to Your Customers

National news and market data provide an outlook on the general business climate, but it paints a picture in broad strokes that may not apply to your business. Take advantage of the detailed customer data that you have to watch for even slight changes that may indicate an upcoming positive or negative trend.

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Amazon Automation Moves Into Inventory and Planning

How is Amazon Changing the Face of Logistics?
How is Amazon Changing the Face of Logistics?

Thanks to innovations such as our battery-powered tugger carts, supply chain technology has improved the physical efficiency of warehouse and logistics workers. Today, Amazon is once again in front of the industry with using technology to refine inventory management, a job long considered the exclusive domain of human retailing experts.

Amazon Expands Its “Marketplace”

During Amazon’s infancy, when they began to branch out beyond books, the company struggled to convince companies to sell their products through the online platform. Amazon decided to recruit the best and brightest of business-school graduates and retailing veterans to build their own retail team.

Spurred by that success, Amazon started developing their marketplace concept, spearheaded by Fulfillment by Amazon. With independent merchants able to sell their products on a completely self-service basis, the retail team became less valuable.

By 2015, marketplace sales exceeded retail sales while also generating twice the operating profit margin. While retail vendors once enjoyed preferred status, the playing field leveled as marketplace vendors began receiving the same perks and benefits.

Reaching New Heights of Data Accuracy

At the same time, Amazon rolled out an initiative known as “Hands Off the Wheel” in which demand forecasting, ordering and other inventory-related tasks were moved to algorithms. Initially, humans had the power to override the software, but that changed as the system achieved unprecedented levels of precision.

In what seems to be an inevitable move, the retail and marketplace teams are now merging. As customer demands continue to grow, less reliance on humans keeps Amazon far ahead of competitors such as Walmart and Target.

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Three Tips to Improving the Bottom-Line at Your Warehouse

Finance and accounting concept
Improve the Bottom-Line in Your Warehouse Operation

In the highly competitive warehouse and distribution center industry, it’s more important than ever to minimize expenses and maximize profitability. Our electric material handling equipment helps you allocate valuable manpower more efficiently.

But that’s just a start. Here are some expert tips to reduce costs and optimize your bottom line.

Incorporate a Warehouse Management System (WMS)

How much do you really know about the effectiveness of individual employees? If you’re still using time cards and other old-school methods, the answer is, “not much.”

Warehouse management systems with labor management functionality offer reporting at a granular level that provides unprecedented amounts of data. All the information you need to spot problems is right at your fingertips.

Reduce Excess and Obsolete Inventory

– Discounts available with buying in bulk may be tempting, but it can actually be counterproductive due to increased storage costs. Review the warehouse layout and make any necessary changes to improve space utilization.

– Obsolete inventory also ties up capital and renders warehouse space unprofitable. Slow-moving items can be donated to charity, sold at a discount or disposed of in other creative ways that don’t result in a total loss.

Conduct Ongoing Tech Training

Access to technology isn’t enough. Workers need adequate training to ensure that they’re getting full functionality from tablets, scanners and other devices.

Establish a training program for both current and new employees. Online learning systems allow hands-on training and reduce costs of live training sessions.

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Labor is your number one expense. Our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers offer two-fold savings with more efficient manpower allocation and reduced workplace injuries.

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Daimler Creates New Automated Truck Research and Testing Center

Daimler Creates New Automated Truck Research and Testing Center
Daimler Creates New Automated Truck Research and Testing Center

Pioneers in the trucking industry continue to emerge, as now Daimler Trucks seeks to discover and invest in new frontiers like automation and electric freight liners. The inception of an entirely fresh platform is creating a stir with those in the various industries affiliated with technology and freight delivery.

As the industries continue to spread and create opportunities through research and advancements, machinery like semi trailer dollies become necessary to facilitate their growth.

New Opportunities, New Uncertainty

How do you keep up with the latest developments in a burgeoning industry? Don’t let progress intimidate your business plan or determine your success. If you feel uncertain as to what electric trucks and automation mean for your operations, invest in problem-solving solutions.

Trust in products that can withstand any upheaval in the industry, to help you keep your labor costs down, and worker morale up. Longevity in business can be as simple as utilizing machinery that won’t fail you when the unexpected happens.

Advancing Your Business

Semi trailer dollies reduce risk to your business. An investment in new technology may come with a learning curve, at least in the near term. Similarly, trusting in new employees to develop expertise with these dollies comes with a risk. But thankfully, entrusting new hirees with DJ Products machinery isn’t a difficult task. Semi trailer dollies are so simple to operate anyone can do it.

You shouldn’t have to risk life or limb to get tasks done correctly. For industries that buy and move in bulk, easily maneuverable products protect your employees from muscle strain and exhaustion and your interests as well. Stay up-to-date and far from worry by utilizing DJ Products’ smart machines. They do the heavy-duty tasks so your team doesn’t have to!

Pot Growers Are Pushing Up Warehouse Rents in Key Markets

Alert - Pot Growers Are Taking Up Warehouse Space
Alert – Pot Growers Are Taking Up Warehouse Space

While the e-commerce boom has caused a major spike in demand for warehouse space, competition has come from an unlikely source. Marijuana startups in cannabis-friendly cities such as Denver and Seattle are driving industrial rent prices sky-high.

Marijuana Industry: A Boon for Industrial Landlords

CoStar Group Inc., a research firm that tracks data on commercial properties, found that warehouse rents in Denver, Seattle and Portland rose 27 to 33 percent over the last three years, compared to 19 percent in other markets. Similar results are expected in Los Angeles, Boston and Las Vegas now that these areas have legalized recreational marijuana use.

“Ganjapreneurship” has also caused a corresponding reduction in vacancy rates. Weed sellers tend to choose smaller, less desirable buildings where it’s easier to control the fire risks that accompany the cultivation of marijuana.

Although marijuana has been legalized in these areas, the industry still carries a stigma due to the federal ban. As a result, landlords are asking for, and receiving, higher rent rates.

No End in Sight

In 2016, cannabis sales exceeded $6 billion. Thanks to the recent legalizations, one in five adults will now live in an area that permits recreational weed. Add the expected development of online pot sales, and it’s clear that the demand for warehouse space won’t be relaxing anytime soon.

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Demand for Warehouse Space Continues to Outpace Supply

Warehouse Supply Trends
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

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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.

Warehouse News: What’s In Store for 2017?

One of the keys to successful supply chain management is matching inventory levels to consumer demand. How is retail activity for 2017 shaping up compared to recent years?

Predicting Sales Based on Port Activity

The Global Port Tracker is a monthly report generated by the National Retail Federation (NRF) in conjunction with consulting firm Hackett Associates. Based on activity at major retail container ports, the NRF predicts that sales will grow between 3.7 percent and 4.2 percent over 2016’s numbers.

Port activity is measured in twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, which equate to a 20-foot-long cargo container. According to Global Port Tracker, the ports it covers handled 1.58 million TEUs in December 2016, which was a 10.2 percent increase from the previous December.

Total cargo volume in 2016 equaled 18.8 million TEUs. That number was up 3.2 percent from 2015, which in turn showed a 5.4 percent increase over 2014.

What’s in Store for 2017?

Jonathan Gold, vice president of Supply Chain And Customs Policy for NRF, explains that greater quantities of imports flowing through ports usually indicates a corresponding growth in sales. This trend led NRF to forecast 9.4 million TEUs during the first half of 2017, for a healthy 4.6 percent increase over the same period in 2016.

Move Inventory Efficiently with Warehouse Tugs from DJ Products

When inventory is flowing through your warehouse, every minute counts. A single employee can move loads up to 10,000 pounds quickly and safely with our CartCaddy5WP. Visit our website and let our friendly sales engineers help you find the right solution from our full line of electric warehouse tugs.