christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Learn How to Reduce Warehouse Inventory Damage with an Eye on Boosting Profits

Watch Out Above You for any Potential Hazards – Like Falling Wooden Pallets.

Quality material handling equipment improves productivity, but those gains can be offset by inventory loss, eating away at profits. Between damages, poor inventory control and theft, losses that seem insignificant on a daily basis can add up to considerable amounts.

While some loss is unavoidable, you can take steps to limit inventory shrinkage. Incorporate these tips in warehouse day-to-day operations to reduce inventory loss and protect profits.

Reduce Risk of Damages

Inventory damage occurs primarily due to packaging or handling. Review incidents of damage over time to see if you can discover a pattern.

– Make sure packaging materials are sturdy enough to accommodate products and stand up to specific warehouse conditions, such as extreme heat or cold.

– Limit the amount of headspace in packages to prevent boxes becoming crushed, especially when they’re stacked on a shelf or pallet.

– Train employees in proper loading techniques.

Improve Inventory Control

High-tech warehouse management systems (WMS) allow for greater precision when tracking inventory. Traditional methods such as inventory auditing and cycle counting programs also minimize the risk of lost products.

Increase Security Measures

No one wants to think about in-house theft, but it’s an unfortunate fact of life. Strategically placed video cameras can serve as deterrents while providing a means of investigating instances of pilferage. If your warehouse stocks products with a high value on secondary markets, consider instituting a consistent and fair inspection program in which all bags are searched.

Upgrade Warehouse Safety with Material Handling Equipment from DJ Products

Are workers struggling with heavy loads? Our battery-powered material handling equipment reduces risk of both inventory damage and workplace injury. Visit our website and let our knowledgeable sales engineers help you find the perfect tug, pusher or mover for your application.

Tips for Storing Your Small Aircraft Over the Winter

With winter underway, it’s important to make sure that your small aircraft is properly stored for the season. This helps reduce the risk of damage to it and ensures that your aircraft will be ready for you to use again when the weather improves. If you need to move your plane into storage or move it to a different area of your storage facility, keep in mind that an aircraft caddy makes this process go much easier.

Protect Against Rodents and Other Pests

Mice and other pests can make your airplane their home in winter if it provides them with shelter and warmth. When you put your plane into storage, make sure that it doesn’t give these pests any entry points. Cover or close up holes that rodents and other pests can use to get inside.

Fill the Fuel Tanks

Even if you won’t be using your plane in winter, you should still keep the fuel tanks filled up. Doing this lowers the amount of moisture in the tank, which reduces the risk of condensation building up.

Remove the Battery

Keeping the battery inside your plane means that it could end up being exposed to conditions that are too cold. Storing the battery in a location that keeps it safe from extreme cold can help prevent it from being damaged.

Do an Oil Change

Giving your airplane’s engine a fresh oil change, which will help to ensure that it runs smoothly when it starts up again. This will eliminate contaminants that may affect its performance.

If you’re looking to get an aircraft caddy for your small plane, please visit DJ Products. We have a fine selection of these products available. Contact Kari Koznick for more information on our aircraft products.

The Unexpectedly High Cost of Warehouse and Forklift Injuries

Be Careful where You Step!

Damages to warehouse equipment are easily resolved by repair or replacement, resulting in a fixed cost. But workplace injuries create a financial ripple effect that goes well beyond medical expenses.

Data shows the average work-related injury costs $188,000, with $150,000 of that amount coming from indirect costs. Here’s a look at some eye-opening facts about warehouse and forklift accidents and the different ways they impact operations.

Causes of Warehouse and Forklift Accidents

– The three most common warehouse injuries result from slip-and-fall; musculoskeletal activities such as pushing and lifting; and use of forklifts and other material handling equipment.

– Most accidents occur in, on or around docks, forklifts, conveyors, material storage and manual lifting and handling.

– Approximately 20,000 workplace injuries are sustained in forklift accidents, with 25 percent resulting from an overturned forklift.

– An average of 100 forklift accidents each year end in fatalities. Roughly 42 percent occur when the operator is crushed by a falling vehicle. In many cases, the seatbelt was not used as per OSHA regulations.

– Pallet jack failure is most often caused by poor work habits such as overloaded or improperly configured racks and operator error.

Employer Costs

Primary direct costs of workplace accidents are medical expenses for the injured employee and repair or replacement of damaged warehouse equipment. Indirect expenses include salaries of temporary workers, changes to insurance premiums, legal costs and lost productivity and business opportunities.

Employee Costs

Injured employees also incur direct and indirect costs. These can include reduction or loss of salary, overtime pay and savings; unreimbursed medical expenses; and ongoing treatment for chronic pain.

Warehouse Equipment Designed for Safety

Our battery-powered warehouse equipment reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury incurred by handling heavy or awkward loads. Contact DJ Products for more information.

C-40 Clippers Are a New Upgrade for the Marines

Marines Get New Aircraft

The U.S. Marine Corps is turning to GSA listed suppliers for an upgrade to their 1970s-era transport planes. Boeing’s C-40 Clipper is the USMC’s choice to replace two of its C-9B Skytrain executive transports.

C-40 Clippers are also expected to take over for C-9s currently in operation with the U.S. Naval Reserve and U.S. Air Force. Here’s a look at this 737-based aircraft and where it fits in with military programs.

Overview of C-40 Clippers

C-40s in use by the military come in three different models:

The C-40A is a Navy aircraft created by adding a larger cargo door along with stronger wings and landing gear to a 737-700C frame. Its robust navigation system is an advantage in Third World airports with older ground systems.

The USAF’s C-40B has superior technological capabilities, serving as an “office in the sky” for military and government leaders. Its primary feature is a Connexion system that provides secure in-flight broadband connectivity.

The C-40C, another USAF aircraft, is a counterpart to the Navy’s C-40A. Both models can serve as all-passenger, all-cargo or passenger/cargo combination transports.

USMC Order for C-40 Clippers

The USMC’s order for two C-40 Clippers comes amid concerns about continued durability of their aging C-9 aircraft. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is supporting a survey conducted by the USMC to find a supplier for the C-40s. While NAVAIR is expressing willingness to consider used aircraft, experts believe Boeing will ultimately receive the order.

DJ Products: Proud to Be One of the GSA Listed Suppliers

Reduce costs and improve safety with our full line of GSA listed military and defense material handling equipment. Visit our website for more information about products such as our AircraftCaddy and BombCaddy.

Stuck! Tips for Clearing Your Big Rig Wheels and Getting on the Road Again

Big rigs tend to run on tight schedules in order to get supplies delivered. Getting stuck in mud or snow can cause big rig drivers to fall behind schedule, which can affect your business. While you can easily move trailers in your warehouse with

Tips for Clearing Your Rig.

semi trailer movers, getting them unstuck out on the road is a different story. Keep these tips in mind for getting stuck big rigs back up and running.

Tire Chains

Using tire chains can help get big rigs out of snow. However, these chains won’t be able to do the same for big rigs that are stuck in mud.

Manual Transmission

Big rigs with manual transmissions can be rocked into becoming unstuck. Getting a big rig to rock in a back and forth motion can help it get out of mud or snow.

Tow Trucks

In situations where you’re unable to get a big rig unstuck, you’ll need to consider using a towing company. Tow trucks can easily get these rigs out of snowy or muddy ground.

Keep Moving

You can lower the risk of having a big rig become stuck in snow or mud by checking the ground and avoiding staying parked in one spot too long. Avoid parking on soft ground that can turn into a mud pit. When it’s snowy out, move the big rig to a different parking spot from time to time. Heat from the tires will prevent snow and ice from accumulating and getting the big rig stuck.

If you need more information on semi trailer movers, contact DJ Products. We have a wide range of high-quality movers available that can move semi trailers that weigh up to 100,000 pounds.

DoD Contractors and the New Cyber Mandate Impacts DoD Contractor Administrations

If your contract with the Department of Defense (DoD) involves processing or holding information that is considered controlled unclassified information, it’s important to become familiar with the new DoD cyber mandate. In addition to using a GSA listed supplier, you should also keep the following information on this new mandate in mind.

Restrict Access to Authorized Users Only

Only authorized individuals who are able to present the right credentials should be allowed access to sensitive information. This helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access that could compromise this information.

Maintain Security Awareness

Administrators, managers and others who are involved in these contracts must be aware of security risks and track access to protected data. This makes it easier to detect any unusual activity that could be considered a security risk.

Prepare for Audit Reviews and Practice Accountability

Contractors who need to stay compliant with the DoD cyber mandate should be prepared to create and maintain audit records that can be monitored and investigated as needed.

Configure the Information System

Information systems should be configured so that they provide only as much functionality as needed for different users. This helps prevent unauthorized access that allows screen sharing or screen scrapping.

Identify and Authenticate Users

Information system users must be properly identified and authenticated to help keep protected content safe from unauthorized access. Those who need to do this should use a platform that offers authentication in order to remain in compliance with the mandate.

DJ Products is a GSA listed supplier for DoD contractors. If you are among these contractors and need a GSA-approved supplier, please browse our selection of products. Our products help you save time and manpower hours, along with reducing the risk of staff injuries.

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.

What Things Should Never Go Into Your Dumpster?

Wondering whether that plastic bottle of cleaning spray can go into the dumpster? At your work place, employees and visitors are wondering similar questions all the time. Find out what items can’t be thrown away and post a list near dumpsters to prevent messy and dangerous situations!

Toxic Chemicals

Items that contain hazardous chemicals include batteries, electronics, and light bulbs. Many household cleaners and hygiene products also contain chemicals that should not be put into landfills.

Flammable Materials

Dumpster fires might start with a match or cigarette butt, but the fuel typically comes from flammable waste thrown into the dumpster. These include oil, lubricants, paint, and fuels including gasoline, butane, and propane.

In restaurants and commercial kitchens, tell staff to never discard oil-soaked rags or aprons. These should be soaked in water first or taken to a hazardous waste drop-off.

Items That Are Illegal to Throw Away

Many of the above items are prohibited by local laws and the rules of your waste removal service. Other illegal or banned items may include sharps, thermometers, smoke detectors, tires, and treated lumber.

Some cities have begun outlawing food waste in the trash, making compost bins mandatory. Stay ahead of the game so your business is prepared for any new environmental rules on the horizon!

Use a Dumpster Mover for Convenience

Dumpsters come with many rules, regulations, and safety concerns. Make things simple with a dumpster mover that just one employee can use.

Our WasteCaddy dumpster mover can tow 5,000 pounds, while the WasteCaddyLite can push a standard commercial dumpster weighing up to 2,000 pounds. Contact us if you’d like a free demo!

Technology is Changing the Face of Property Management

Times sure have changed since the typical property management equipment consisted of little more than a mop, broom, and screwdriver. Today, software runs the show behind the scenes.

According to a recent Cre.tech article about the most successful real estate apps, 88% of property managers are using cloud-based software. Apps can handle online rent collection, tenant requests for repair, new tenant screening and applications, vacancy listings, and more.

Cre.tech highlights three property management apps with various selling points:

• AppFolio, an enterprise level property management software-as-a-service

• Buildium, with an owner portal packed with financial reports plus a tenant-facing portal

• Cozy, a property management app aimed at landlords and small businesses

Venture funds and public offerings have injected hoards of cash into these tech companies, with the market’s most popular apps becoming extremely profitable. With costs as low as a dollar per tenant per month, this is technology that any size landlord can adopt.

Does Your Property Need More Software… or More Hardware?

The value of such apps mostly comes from small increases in efficiency thanks to reduced paperwork, streamlined rent payments, and digital record keeping.

Property management equipment can bring an immediate impact to your productivity and profits, too. A battery-powered cleaning supply cart can help condo staff do daily chores a little faster. With motorized dumpster movers, you can use one employee instead of two to handle waste collection — while also reducing the risk of worker injury claims.

DJ Products has the property management equipment solutions you need to achieve the profitability that is now possible with modern technology. Check out our WasteCaddy and other efficiency-boosting products for more info.

Got to Move a Heavy Dumpster – Use Our Safe Lifting and Pushing Tips

If you need your employees to move a dumpster, there’s always a risk of injury. Without a dumpster pusher, it’s important to understand how to safely maneuver the dumpster without causing any physical strains or injuries.

To help, we would like to share some safe lifting tips with you. Here are some guidelines in the event that you aren’t sure how to keep yourself or your employees protected during heavy moves.

DJ Products Offers These Safe Lifting Tips

Preventing injury is often easy once you know the proper techniques. If you don’t have a dumpster pusher in house, you should focus on these safe lifting tips:

Take a moment to think about the move before you start.
Try to keep the weight as close to your waist as possible.
Find a stable position to stand before attempting the lift.
Make sure you have a tight hold on the load.
Lift with your legs. Avoid lifting with your back.
Don’t twist your body when you lift.
Look ahead and keep moving smoothly.
Don’t lift more than you can handle.
Put the load down and then make any necessary adjustments.

The Benefits of a Dumpster Pusher

A dumpster pusher offers your business so many great benefits. It can significantly cut down on the manpower it takes to move a dumpster. Also, you may find that the number of injuries your business reports each year will show a marked decrease. For some employers, after reviewing their workers comp claims, they discovered that a high number of injuries were due to moving dumpsters.

We’d love to know how we can help you. Contact us!

Author: christopher Harper