christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Will Tiny Robotic Warehouses Soon Prepare Local Grocery Delivery Orders?

As online shopping moves into the food and beverage category with grocery and restaurant delivery, a Boston-area start-up is taking the trend one step further. They’re combining robots and warehouse equipment to create “micro fulfillment centers” inside existing supermarkets.

Streamlining Grocery Delivery

In October, Takeoff Technologies is scheduled to kick off the first of what they project to be several micro fulfillment centers. The host store is yet to be named, but the center will occupy approximately 20 percent of the facility’s 50,000-square-feet.

Robots are sourced from Knapp, a leading warehouse and supply chain automation company. The mechanical “workers” will shuttle bins of merchandise to human counterparts, who will inspect the items for damage and assemble them into orders.

Benefits of New Technology

The micro fulfillment centers offer a number of potential advantages over the current online grocery ordering model:

– Orders can be ready for customer pick-up in as little as 30 minutes.

– The bin system means robots don’t require optimization to handle every item.

– Order-picking by robots is more efficient than using human workers to shop alongside in-store customers.

Humans and Robots Working Side-by-Side

Max Pedro, co-founder and president of Takeoff, says that their micro fulfillment centers can be operational within three months, as opposed to three years for traditional full-size warehouses. Pedro further explains that artificial intelligence and data science will be used to optimize product slotting in bins.

Takeoff’s platform is in line with the strategy of fulfillment centers across all industries, where human and robot workforces are being combined for their complementary strengths.

Maximize Efficiency with Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

Boost productivity of your warehouse staff with our electric tugs, movers and pushers. Visit our website to chat with one of our knowledgeable sales engineers.

Foreign Military Contracts in Question with New Tariffs and Restrictions

Steel and aluminum are materials that are the lifeblood of many industries around the globe. New tariffs are forcing Department of Defense contractors in the military industry to look at more options and determine new strategies for acquisition contracts.

It’s a different era, and to combat the change delivering military-grade, strategic responses is a necessity. Likewise, GSA listed military-grade machinery, is a necessary addition to any functioning industry.

Preparation is Key

The first line of defense is a good offense. Unpredictable problems occur all the time. When Department of Defense (DoD) contractors utilize their military background they can scale just about any unforeseeable hurdles. Put a protective barrier between you and the troubles that may be coming from unexpected areas by preparing for every outcome. You can safeguard your business by employing the right team (human and machine) to carry out the mission at hand despite any threatening storms.

Quality employees and the GSA’s high-grade operating machinery that they use present a high-powered combination of preparation and capability to solve short-notice trends of volatility. Your business could be using the same GSA-approved products that ensure precision, practicality, and efficiency for military contractors. When you place premium machinery on the frontlines of your business, you’re postured to win!

DJ Products Stand at Attention

Relocate aircraft, remove dangerous materials, and transfer important materials (such as steel and aluminum) via trailers and save the backs of your hardworking team in the process! DJ Products continues to facilitate successful task completion. Employers and employees can be overwhelmed without having the right tools to help with day-to-day tasks. If you want to get a good jump on the rising storms, visit DJ Products. Their quality machines last long after the battle ends.

Dust Can Become Combustible in Warehouse Environments – What to Know

Avoid the fire and the financial pitfalls by keeping combustible dust out of the equation! A warehouse needs to be clean and safe so owners remain profitable and their employees successful at their assigned tasks.

Combustible Dust is a Fire Hazard

A recent article speaks of the need for simple methods (like incorporating a sealed work place) to be implemented so your employees and their machinery can function properly in a safe environment. The proper material handling equipment is also vital to keep operations running smoothly.

From Dust to DJ Products

Material handling equipment keeps human contact with potential hazards like combustible dust or muscle strain to a minimum. It simplifies tasks so your employees can enjoy their jobs without having to be overly physical. Dust not only affects warehouse processes by exposing humans to respiratory illnesses, it can also lead to more serious illnesses like lung cancer.

Overexposure to safety hazards that should be avoided will eventually lead to safety violations and on-site accidents. That’s why DJ Products material handling equipment plays a vital role in creating a more efficient environment. Precision machinery that can fare well in any environment keep costs down and employees on the job. Investing in battery-operated machines is really a step towards investing in the life and health of your labor force.

Diligence in Action

Stopping dust from infiltrating the environment you live and work in is important. It’s also important to ensure that safe work practices are an integral part in every area of business. We understand that you are responsible for your employees and your financial success. Do you need material handling equipment that is as reliable as those you employ? Stop by DJ Products today and start breathing a little easier!

Trump Team Pushes to Lower Semi Driver Age to 18

In an effort to compensate for the massive driver drought in the trucking industry, current regulations in place for driving ages are being reevaluated. Will lowering the age of drivers from 21 to 18 compensate for the over 60,000 driver shortages or cause more problems down the road? It’s too soon to tell.

Rather than wondering about the unknowns, put your faith in durable solutions you can count on. Terminal tractors help drivers get their loads situated efficiently, solving problems and doing the heavy lifting.

Long-Terminal Solutions

Planning ahead is integral to facilitate success in the warehouse and trucking business. The large shortage of trained truck drivers has been a problem for a while. What can you do to better your chances despite looming threats of unrest in the industry? You can plan ahead for any future inconsistencies by implementing trustworthy safeguards.

Terminal tractors create answers where there were none previously. Technology and revolutionary design help to propel purposeful investments towards success. They also pay off in the long-term. And long-term solutions bring long-term positive results.

The Insurance Policy

The idea of hiring teens to drive semis may trigger some apprehension. The way DJ Products ensures your dedicated employees and profits are protected creates quite the opposite reaction. Terminal tractors take away the need for worry when younger workers are operating heavy-duty machinery. Simple in design but positive in easing workload potential, battery operated machinery helps silence the worry and triggers deep-seated excitement for what’s to come!

Trust In Tractors

Let DJ Products keep you in business and experienced drivers behind the wheel. Loading and unloading is time-consuming. Terminal tractors facilitate smooth transition time and easy load transfer. If you want to pocket some valuable reassurance, try DJ Products today!

Top Four Warehouse Injuries and How to Prevent Them

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2016 show that there were five reported non-fatal injuries and illnesses for every 100 full-time workers in the warehousing and storage industry. This rate is significantly higher than the 2.9 reported cases per 100 full-time workers across all industries.

Our electric tugger carts are designed to reduce risk of common musculoskeletal and repetitive-motion workplace injuries. Here are the top four injury hazards found in warehouses along with expert prevention tips.

Collapsing Pallet Racks

Haphazard storage is the most frequent cause of accidents involving pallets. This is especially dangerous in high-pick areas, where momentum can turn the smallest falling item into a serious danger.

– Stack pallets with heavier items at the bottom.

– Leave adequate space between pallets to avoid pallet rack collapses caused by forklifts.

Slips, Trips and Falls

OSHA has determined that slips, trips and falls make up the largest category of general workplace accidents.

– Keep work areas free of clutter.

– Clean up spills immediately.

– Make sure hallways and staircases are well-lit.

Hazardous Materials

Any leak or spill of hazardous material should be considered an emergency, no matter how small the amount.

– Have an effective hazmat plan in place and train all employees.

– Provide access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and current safety data sheets (SDS).

Forklift Collisions

Warehouse environment, operator error, and the condition of the forklift are all factors in crashes.

– Conduct training on forklift operation and common hazards.

– Perform regular inspections and maintenance.

Make Safety a Priority with Tugger Carts from DJ Products

Warehouse activities often involve pushing and pulling, resulting in severe stress on a worker’s body. Our tugger carts eliminate the strain that causes many workplace injuries. Call 800.866.2651 and talk to one of our helpful sales engineers.

Dumpster Tips: What Should Never Be Put Into a Dumpster?

Inventions like the dumpster are ideal for safely disposing of a surplus of potential safety hazards. Well-organized work environments are important for employees and businesses as a whole. Knowing what you can put in a dumpster is important to those running a business and those in the garbage disposal sector.

A dumpster mover makes dumpster transport and positioning a simple task. Our dumpster movers are problem solvers that facilitate safe environments.

Trash or Stash?

Dumpsters help in many ways but need guidelines to use. Specifically, there are 10 materials that don’t belong in a dumpster. To ensure safe and thorough disposal avoid putting these materials in the dumpster container:

– Appliances

– Batteries

– Electronics

– Gas and oil

– Light bulbs

– Paint/Flammable Solvents

– Pesticides

– Recyclable material

– Tires

– Yard waste (twigs, grass clippings, leaves)

The less contact your workers have with handling trash or potential hazards the better. It can be exhausting to repetitively go over all the precautions that are required when dealing with dumpsters or moving heavy loads.

Dedicated employees shouldn’t have to worry about their own safety when handling dumpsters. Solutions like the dumpster mover cater to their needs and yours. Injuries on the job can become a hindrance to your business and your employees’ livelihood. You can stop hazardous practices on site by using precision machinery.

DJ Products Dump the Danger

A battery-powered dumpster mover takes the human error factor out of the equation. It acts as a profit protector and automated extra pair of hands. Save your employees for the tasks they should be focusing on and you’ll save on long-term costs in the future. Back strain, muscle pain and other symptoms of handling heavy objects should be a thing of the past. DJ Products protects your interests and employees!

How Some Trucking Companies Are Retaining Drivers with a “Coolness Factor”

The trucking industry is actively trying to promote their “coolness factor” in a hurry. As the influx of delivery requests continue to tick upwards, the high demand for willing drivers to fulfill their many tasks is growing as well. There are not enough job takers.

Before when driving semis was considered “cool,” drivers could talk diesel, boast of stellar equipment and a lifestyle that appealed. Now, those in the industry are scrambling to find ways to compensate for the lack of interest and the lack of able-bodied workers. That’s where the motorized trailer dollies factor comes in.

A Fresh Face

Until drivers begin to get behind the steering columns again, warehouses and semi companies will have to work together to find simple solutions. Simple, yet efficient machinery can do the job to pick up the slack. If you are looking for a reliable worker, DJ Products’ motorized trailer dollies, de-stress your hard-working employees and get logistics back on track! An extra mechanical hand makes light the work!

Upping the Cool Factor

Do you want to keep your hardworking team on task and not out of breath? Nothing’s cooler than machinery that protects employees from extra strain. The less human contact with heavy loads the better. DJ Products uses high-grade machines to help you make great delegating choices. How can you make the process of loading/unloading and delivery go smoothly? You keep tireless machines on the job and diligent workers off the injured list!

Our DJ Products Simplify

Our battery operated motorized trailer dollies don’t require any special training to get them to do the job. Anyone can act as a guide/operator of our premium machinery. Visit DJ Products today and discover how we aspire to a higher standard by design!

How to Prevent Bed Bug Infestations in Your Furniture and Bedding Warehouse

Our battery-powered tugs, pushers and movers greatly improve workplace productivity, but bed bugs are warehouse equipment that you don’t need. It doesn’t take long for these pests to infest furniture and bedding throughout your warehouse or fulfillment center.

Prevention is easier than elimination. Avoid costly and inconvenient extermination with these six tips to protect your warehouse from bed bug infestations.

Tips to Prevent Bed Bug Infestations in Warehouses

– Maintain and follow written procedures for handling and inspection of all furniture and bedding delivered to the warehouse. Pay careful attention to packaging and investigate any items where boxes and wrapping are torn or damaged.

– Complete extensive documentation for any items that are delivered. This can help in the case of potential claims by customers.

– If you have occasion to pick up used or returned furniture or bedding, inspect the items thoroughly and don’t accept if they show signs of bed bugs. Any furniture that is picked up should be wrapped and taped, then segregated from new items on the truck.

– Any returns, whether warranty claims or donations/disposals, should be stored in a separate area of the warehouse.

– Keep the warehouse clean and free of dirt and debris. If you suspect the presence of bed bugs, have a professional conduct an immediate inspection. The sooner you discover a problem, the easier it is to contain it.

– Heat treatment is the most effective way to eliminate bed bugs. The warehouse and its contents should be heated to a high temperature for a period long enough to kill both live bed bugs and eggs.

DJ Products: Your Top Choice for Quality Warehouse Equipment

Optimize workplace productivity and safety with electric warehouse equipment from DJ Products. Call 800.686.2651 to learn more from our sales engineers.

New Hotel Design Trends Mimic Popular Luxury Airbnb Looks

With luxury Airbnb lodgings stepping up their game to cash-in on social media buzz, hotels are likewise upping the ante when it comes to in-room amenities. Hotel supply movement carts are now toting high thread count sheets, spare throw pillows, and luxe robes and slippers. And the additions aren’t ending with items easily swapped. Some hotels and chains are undergoing in-room renovations, including customer-favored design trends such as…

Colorful Minimalism

Leaving fussy, over-styled furnishings in the past, clean lines and bright neutral furnishings and walls are on-trend, paired with small punches of color in the form of throw pillows and décor.

Multifunctional Furniture

Taking a cue from pint-sized but luxury lodgings, multifunctional furniture such as coffee table/desk combos, multi-use cubbies and stools can be a key feature of small hotel spaces, allowing for a feeling of openness and space, while still meeting the furnishing needs of guests.

Statement Headboards

Sleek, simply styled headboards in bold, bright colors and patterns add a fun (bed)room centerpiece.

Stylish Shibori

Tie-dye’s stylish cousin, Shibori, adds a unique and stylish pop, and are easy to include in the form of throw pillows and blankets.

Lively Lighting

Rather than boring overhead lighting that blends, luxury accommodations look to lively and colorful lighting features or shimmering chandeliers to a touch of whimsy.

Patterned Staircases

Added with premium or adhesive tile, patterned stairs boast a huge style impact, bringing fun and flair to once boring or utilitarian staircases.

Patterned Patios (or Balconies)

Transform balconies or patios with summery tile patterns, letting easy-care flooring shine center stage beneath the sleek lines of minimalistic outdoor chairs and tables.

Ready to step-up your game? Outfit new room designs with the help of powered hotel supply movement carts from DJ Products today.

September Warehouse Cleaning Tips

Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that there were close to three million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported in 2016. Using quality warehouse equipment such as our electric industrial tugs is one way to reduce such incidents. Maintaining a clean workplace is another.

With the busy holiday season approaching, September is a great time to improve the cleanliness of your warehouse. Use this checklist to make good housekeeping habits part of the company culture.

Create a Schedule

It’s easier and more efficient to clean on a regular basis than it is to let dirt, debris and trash build up until clean-up is a difficult, time-consuming job. Create a schedule and assign responsibilities, either by warehouse area or specific duties.

Empty Trash Bins

Full trash bins force employees to find other means of disposal, which can result in littered aisles and workspaces. Make sure bins are emptied before they reach the point of overflow.

Keep Cleaning Supplies Easily Accessible

If cleaning supplies aren’t readily available, workers will be more likely to put off cleaning until it’s “convenient.” Keep appropriate supplies on hand in several locations around the warehouse.

Avoid Aged Inventory

Out-of-date stock that sits in one place for a long time is a magnet for dust. Keep accurate records and make plans to dispose of aged inventory, such as donating to charity or selling at a reduced cost.

Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle

Operating a “green” warehouse contributes to workplace cleanliness, saves money and demonstrates your commitment to environmental responsibility.

Promote Workplace Safety with Industrial Tugs from DJ Products

Our industrial tugs are clean, eco-friendly and designed to reduce risk of workplace injuries. Visit our website and use the convenient chat feature to learn more from our cheerful sales engineers.