Author: christopher Harper

Five Important Trends for 2019 in Logistics – Part One

All the major economic shifts and advances in technology are impacting the transportation and logistics industry. Everyone hears about eCommerce, the blockchain, augmented reality – but in logistics, these buzzwords are already impacting our bottom lines. Let’s dive into the logistics trends for 2019 to anticipate and stay ahead of the game.

How are Trends Changing and How Can Your Business Adapt?
How are Trends Changing and How Can Your Business Adapt?

Machine-driven processes may have the most direct and immediate impact. From robotic picking to new semi trailer movers that tow freight around the yard, any warehouse can benefit from upgrading its material handling equipment.

Accounting and consulting firm PwC recently released Transport and Logistics Trends 2019.

Logistics and the Economy, 2019

First, let’s consider some of the market forces at play:

– Mergers and acquisitions: 38 percent of CEOs are planning an M&A event in the next year. Would consolidation improve your efficiency? Is a competitor about to get much larger?

– International trade deals and trade wars: Are you ready to pivot when the next political move results in shifting trade routes and priorities?

– Rail traffic and trucking shortages: Logistics firms expect the pressure on freight transport to continue. Can you improve warehouse efficiency to mitigate high delivery costs?

All this drama takes place against a backdrop of a strong economy and optimistic forecasts. Money is being made, and the stakes are high. Smaller firms need to stay agile and invest in improvements to come out on top rather than getting eaten up by the behemoths.

The Next Big Thing in Logistics

In Part Two, we’ll look at software and technology trends in logistics. From augmented reality warehouses to automated material handling and semi trailer movers, 2019 will see plenty of changes on the ground and in the cloud. Contact us at DJ Products for more info about trailer movers.

Warehouse Tips: Special Considerations for Warehouse Shift Worker Safety

Always Enforce Safety Rules - It Might Just Save a Life!
Always Enforce Safety Rules – It Might Just Save a Life!

While material handling equipment can handle the demands of being on duty 24/7, warehouse workers rely on shifts to accommodate round-the-clock staffing needs. While nearly 15 million Americans are employed on shifts, night or long-term shift work can result in health and safety risks.

Happy and healthy workers improve job productivity and employee retention rates. Protect your staff with these helpful tips for managing shift work.

Tips for Managing Warehouse Shift Work

Shift work, especially for employees on rotating or night shifts, interferes with the body’s circadian rhythms, which form the internal clock that governs wakefulness. Disrupted sleep patterns can lead to emotional, metabolic and cardiovascular problems as well as greater risk of workplace errors and injuries.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that employers incorporate these procedures for shift workers:

– Schedule workers for a minimum of 10 consecutive off-duty hours each day so they can get seven to eight hours of sleep.

– In addition to regular meal breaks, provide short breaks every one to two hours for particularly demanding jobs.

– Limit shifts to no more than 10 hours wherever possible.

– Provide workers with education and resources about shift work.

Here are steps that shift workers can take individually to control fatigue:

– Take a walk before the start of the shift, preferably outdoors in daylight.

– Limit consumption of caffeinated beverages such as coffee and cola to the first half of the shift to avoid sleep problems.

– Take frequent mini-breaks to move around and keep muscles loose.

Combat Shift Work Fatigue with Material Handling Equipment from DJ Products

Our battery-powered material handling equipment is easy to use and designed to prevent common musculoskeletal injuries. Contact us to find the right tug, mover or pusher for your applications.

What’s Trending? What to Know About Concierge Trash Management

Make Life a Bit Easier on Yourself. Invest in Our Waste Caddy.
Make Life a Bit Easier on Yourself. Invest in Our Waste Caddy.

Considering concierge trash services? A growing trend in waste management in multifamily housing units, concierge trash and recycling collection offers many benefits besides those to residents. And with state-mandatory recycling on the rise, demand for these services is expected to skyrocket.

Why Go Concierge?

Dumpster areas around apartments and condos are notoriously gross, making them a constant, high-maintenance headache for your staff. Concierge trash management helps property owners keep their property and the surrounding environment cleaner, as well as increases resident participation in recycling programs. This supports a healthier, greener, pest-free environment.

Eliminating Waste Worries

How many times have you or your staff witnessed – and had to clean up – a bag of trash that soared off the top of a resident’s car in transport? Just as your dumpster mover makes the process of managing residents waste easier, so too can so-called ‘butler bins’ or trash haulers help you more easily manage transporting trash on a smaller scale.

Easily collect trash and recyclable door-to-door 5-7 times each week in custom-designed trash bins located outside residents’ doors, such as hideaway benches. Then, carry it to your refuse and recyclable dumpsters for collection. No more ‘trash bombs’ from cars or piles of waste left just outside your dumpster.

A Coveted Service

Studies show renters look for efficient trash pickup as a top feature when shopping for housing. Easily covered with a minimal increase in rent, concierge trash services are not only cost-effective and profitable, they can actually help reduce the labor involved in resident-related rubbish issues.

Wish you could reduce waste management headaches at your multifamily property? Improve services and increase safety with a trash hauler and dumpster mover from DJ Products today.

Encourage Safety in Your Warehouse with Safety Walkarounds

Hard Hats Save Lives, Folks. Wear Them!
Hard Hats Save Lives, Folks. Wear Them!

Use of our electric industrial tugs demonstrates your commitment to employee welfare. Make workplace safety a permanent part of your company culture by conducting regular walkarounds to promote ongoing safety awareness.

What should you focus on during warehouse walkarounds? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends a three-step process for safety inspections.

Before the Inspection

– Never do a “cold” walkaround. Take time beforehand to completely understand warehouse operations and review any previously identified safety issues.

– Talk to managers and supervisors about any specific concerns they may have.

– Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

During the Inspection

– Limit walkaround participants to a handful of people. Larger groups may intimidate workers and prevent open communication.

– Look for hazards such as blocked aisles and doorways, exposed electrical wiring, and sloppy work areas.

– Solicit employee input as much as possible. Reassure workers that your goal is to spot and solve problems, not point fingers.

– As you go, make a list of identified hazards and prioritize them based on risk level.

After the Inspection

– Lack of follow-through dooms many workplace programs. Employees will be more engaged and cooperative when they see you taking action on findings.

– Create a hazard abatement plan specifying a course of action and timeline for addressing each issue discovered on the walkaround.

– Share the plan with both supervisors and employees and provide progress updates.

– If you don’t already have one, form a warehouse safety committee to help further integrate safety education and awareness in daily workplace operations.

Make Industrial Tugs from DJ Products Part of Your Safety Program

Customers say ergonomically designed industrial tugs such as our best-selling CartCaddyShorty are “like having an extra employee.” Our cheerful sales engineers are available to help through our convenient online chat feature.

Hoteliers Are Leveraging These Four Important Items in 2019

Hotel Supply Movement Experts
Hotel Supply Movement Experts

As your preferred source for hotel supply movement carts, we want to keep you informed of news and trends impacting the hospitality industry. Now that the busy holiday season is over, hoteliers are looking ahead to the challenges of 2019 and how best to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Here are four significant trends expected to shape the hospitality industry this year. How can you leverage them for your hotel?

Minimalist Designs

Outdated hotel decor is a major turn-off for most guests, but frequent renovations can be cost-prohibitive. Savvy hoteliers are turning to minimalist designs that accommodate a wide range of styles by simply changing a few accessories. Faux but realistic-looking plants and floral arrangements add an elegant yet comfortable touch.

Cloud-Based Technology

Do you think cutting-edge technology solutions are too expensive? With 62 percent of international hotel chains moving to cloud-based management software, your hotel can’t afford to be left behind. In fact, cloud-based software improves productivity, making it extremely cost-effective.

Local Transportation Partnerships

Many chain and independent hotels have shuttle services to and from airports, but how do your guests get around during their stay? Consider forming a partnership with a local transportation company to give guests convenient access to limos, rental cars and buses.

Mobile Ads

With smartphones becoming so integrated into today’s society, purchasing ads on mobile apps is a great way to reach potential customers. A recent report shows that bookings on mobile devices jumped from 13 percent to 20 percent in just one year.

State-of-the-Art Hotel Supply Movement Solutions from DJ Products

Turning rooms quickly and efficiently is an important factor in elite customer service. Visit our website to learn how our hotel supply movement carts can boost productivity while saving time and money.

TrailerCaddy vs. Your In-House CDL Driver – Why TrailerCaddy Wins

Warehouse managers are all-too-familiar with the challenges related to tracking down your yard truck driver. That’s where TrailerCaddy, a motorized trailer dolly from DJ Products, fits in.

Employing a CDL driver just so you can move trailers in and out of docks has many drawbacks. Look at the back end of the semi-trailers you see on the highway…. WANTED – DRIVERS. Finding, and then keeping a driving with a CDL can be a challenge when they can earn more as an over the road driver. On top of that, you need to keep them licensed, and keep their health card current. All to move a few trailers around the yard each day.

Can all these drawbacks be avoided? The answer is yes—with a motorized trailer dolly that requires no licensing to operate, and just a little training.

compact machine slips under a trailer nose lifts it and pulls

Move Empty and Loaded Semi Trailers

A motorized trailer dolly can move empty and loaded semi-trailers, tank-trailers and ocean shipping containers. It is battery powered so it can be charged easily in-house and is always ready to go. Say goodbye to tracking-down your licensed yard truck driver because any employee can be trained to use the TrailerCaddy. No licensing is required.

This semi trailer mover is also highly maneuverable. A short turning radius makes it ideal for use in tight spaces, narrow aisles and small yards. There is a direct line of sight because the operator is facing forward, reducing the risk of injury and damage to docks, trailers, equipment, and buildings.

DJ Products has been in business for over 20 years. Starting with material-handling equipment for the grocery, automotive, property management, and aircraft industries in Minnesota, we now produce equipment suited for warehouses anywhere. To discuss your requirements and order a heavy-duty power dolly, call 800-686-2651 or email info@djproducts.com.

Encourage Safety in Your Warehouse with Safety Walkarounds

Managing Your Warehouse by Walking Around
Managing Your Warehouse by Walking Around

Use of our electric industrial tugs demonstrates your commitment to employee welfare. Make workplace safety a permanent part of your company culture by conducting regular walkarounds to promote ongoing safety awareness.

What should you focus on during warehouse walkarounds? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends a three-step process for safety inspections.

Before the Inspection

– Never do a “cold” walkaround. Take time beforehand to completely understand warehouse operations and review any previously identified safety issues.

– Talk to managers and supervisors about any specific concerns they may have.

– Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

During the Inspection

– Limit walkaround participants to a handful of people. Larger groups may intimidate workers and prevent open communication.

– Look for hazards such as blocked aisles and doorways, exposed electrical wiring, and sloppy work areas.

– Solicit employee input as much as possible. Reassure workers that your goal is to spot and solve problems, not point fingers.

– As you go, make a list of identified hazards and prioritize them based on risk level.

After the Inspection

– Lack of follow-through dooms many workplace programs. Employees will be more engaged and cooperative when they see you taking action on findings.

– Create a hazard abatement plan specifying a course of action and timeline for addressing each issue discovered on the walkaround.

– Share the plan with both supervisors and employees and provide progress updates.

– If you don’t already have one, form a warehouse safety committee to help further integrate safety education and awareness in daily workplace operations.

Make Industrial Tugs from DJ Products Part of Your Safety Program

Customers say ergonomically designed industrial tugs such as our best-selling CartCaddyShorty are “like having an extra employee.” Our cheerful sales engineers are available to help through our convenient online chat feature.

How to Reduce Inventory Loss in Your Warehouse Operation

How to Reduce Inventory Loss in Your Warehouse Operation
How to Reduce Inventory Loss in Your Warehouse Operation

Are you looking for ways to increase productivity and reduce expenses in your warehouse? Cost-effective warehouse equipment is one solution. Reducing product loss also improves customer service and profitability.

A certain amount of loss from damaged product is unavoidable, but you can proactively manage the primary causes of waste. Here are five expert tips to significantly reduce inventory loss.

1. Commit to Employee Training

Your warehouse workers are on the front line of operations, and they can be your most effective warriors against inventory loss. Damages frequently occur when employees don’t operate warehouse equipment properly. Make training a part of the onboarding process and conduct periodic reviews to find areas that need improvement.

2. Analyze Warehouse Operations

Successful companies in all industries embrace the practice of continuous improvement of process, or CIP. Develop a plan of reviewing order picking, packaging and other warehouse processes with an eye for improving efficiency.

3. Invest in Quality Material Handling Equipment

Purchase price and maintenance costs of material handling equipment are important but they shouldn’t be the main consideration. Inexpensive equipment that breaks down or doesn’t work correctly ends up being far more expensive than high-quality equipment that’s efficient and durable.

4. Cut Down on Manual Touch Points

The more often workers touch products, the greater the chance of damage. Maximize the use of material handling equipment to limit instances of operator error.

5. Move Forward

No matter how much you learn about reduction of inventory loss, none of it means anything unless you put it into action. Create a workable plan and follow through on it.

First-Class Warehouse Equipment for All Applications

Take the first step toward reducing inventory damage with warehouse equipment from DJ Products. Contact us to learn more.

Tips on Managing Your Warehouse Work Force

Managing Your Warehouse Workforce
Managing Your Warehouse Workforce

Managing material handling equipment involves not much more than following an established maintenance schedule. When it comes to managing your warehouse work force and operations, a wide range of variables comes into play.

Use these tips to keep your work force and operations running smoothly and efficiently.

Managing Employees

– Keep lines of communication open in both directions. Encourage employees to share questions or concerns freely so they can be addressed immediately, before they become more serious problems.

– Establish an effective training program for new hires. Both productivity and worker retention benefit when employees are confident in their job. Implement ongoing training and cross-training as needed.

– Conduct performance reviews on a regular basis. Reward outstanding performance and give employees a chance to improve their weaknesses.

– Success and failure are contagious. Don’t allow negative attitudes to get a foothold in the workplace. Let an employee go if he or she consistently demonstrates negative behavior.

Managing Operations

– Prioritize safety in your company’s culture. Keep all areas clean, organized and well-lit. Enforce safety regulations and post them in visible places throughout the warehouse.

– Order-picking is the most labor-intensive job in many warehouses. Review the process and solicit input from employees about making it more efficient.

– Meet with key staff members on a weekly or monthly basis to discuss new ideas, questions and problems.

– Successful companies embrace change. Don’t be afraid to implement new processes or material handling equipment when and where improvement is needed.

Material Handling Equipment for Today’s Warehouses

Are your employees still struggling to move heavy loads? Improve productivity and reduce workplace injuries with battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers from DJ Products. Get assistance from our friendly sales engineers with the convenient chat feature on our website.

5 Tips for Improving Warehouse Productivity

Warehouse and logistics managers know that maintaining a productive loading dock operation is a challenge. Using an electric trailer dolly rather than hiring a 3rd party shunting service or depending on inbound drivers to move trailers can help. The more control you have over your warehouse operations and the closer that you track key metrics, the more efficiently you can run your business.

trailer dolly tractor supply trailer

These five tips can improve your warehouse’s productivity:

Get Organized

Allocate time to cleaning your warehouse and eliminating clutter. It can help find misplaced orders or avoid losing an order altogether. Being organized improves efficiency and safety as well. When aisles are clear and there are no obstructions in the way, employees are less in danger of injuries. Organization also means improving shelf access, container placement, and space utilization, while adopting lean inventory practices enables you to keep what you need without sifting through items you don’t.

Adjust Your Benchmarks

You want to cover as much as possible, but tracking too many metrics can be inefficient. Start small and add metrics as you go along. Include internal and external factors that affect your cash flow, but don’t focus solely on financials. Are customers’ expectations being met and are your vendors performing as expected? Start by looking at internal operations, or one facility, and look at how operations there can be improved. Apply what you learn later to other facilities serving similar customers.

Focus on Your Employees

A trailer mover might make work easier. However, making employees the focus of your facility improvements can go a long way. Provide regular safety and compliance training and let employees in on your production goals for the year. This gives them a target while providing incentives where possible can also help. For example, reward top-performing employees verbally and with rewards such as bonuses and gift cards, which can boost employee satisfaction, retention, and loyalty.

Take Advantage of Automation

trailer caddy

Automating the logistics process can help more than the best electric trailer dolly. Track and monitor each delivery so there’s no guesswork. You can then have raw data from throughout the supply chain. Cloud-based inventory management software tracks everything in real time and displays what you have, what you need, and where your fleet assets are. It lets you refine any process quickly based on the most current factors.

Get an Electric Trailer Mover

When it comes to warehouse productivity, equipment matters. A battery-powered trailer mover, for example, is always available, so you don’t have to wait on an outside service provider to show up. The Electric Yard Dog, a terminal tractor from DJ Products, can move empty and loaded semi-trailers and other equipment around the yard and in and out of loading docks. Any employee can operate it with a minimum amount of training. Precise speed control minimizes the chances for dock, equipment, and trailer damage.

The motorized trailer dolly comes in various shapes and sizes. Units built to move boats and small trailers, all the way up to units that can move empty and loaded semi-trailers. For more information, browse our catalog or contact DJ products at 800-686-2651 or info@djproducts.com today.