christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

The Data’s In, Here Are the Top Defense Contractors for 2016

Defense Contracting

When President Dwight Eisenhower, a legendary leader of the armed forces, coined the phrase “military industrial complex,” even he couldn’t have anticipated their stunning accomplishments of military research and development. Here are today’s top defense contractors based on data compiled by the US General Services Administration.

1. Lockheed Martin

A staggering $30 billion has been committed to contracts with Lockheed Martin. The company is currently fulfilling a $528 million project to build interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), which is designed to provide protection from ballistic missile attacks.

2. Boeing

More than 12,000 contracts have been awarded to Boeing, including one for nearly $900 million for airborne electronic attack kits such as the “Growler,” which creates tactical jamming and electronic protection for the military.

3. Raytheon

The principal project among Raytheon’s 10,000 contracts is production of 464 Excaliburs, which are the longest-range and most accurate cannon-fired projectiles in the world.

4. General Dynamics

General Dynamics is hard at work building the DDG 51 Class Destroyers for the Navy. This state-of-the-art ship includes advanced systems to defend against submarines as well as against missiles launched via land, air or water.

5. Northrop Grumman

Controversy has surrounded Northrop Grumman’s $55 billion contract to produce the Long-Range Strike Bomber, replacing the Air Force’s dated fleet.

Increase Safety with a Battery-Powered Bomb Caddy from DJ Products

Our electric Bomb Caddy, which can move loads of up to 5,000 pounds, is remote controlled for operator safety. Visit our website and use our convenient online chat feature to learn more from our helpful sales engineers.

What Are the Benefits of a Focus on Ergonomics When It Comes to Trash Moving?

Have you looked at your trash room from your employees’ point of view? What looks like an efficient layout may actually be subjecting workers to undue physical stress, putting them at risk for injuries and reduced productivity.

An ergonomically designed workplace takes into account employees’ capabilities and limitations to ensure maximum performance with minimum strain. Here are some valuable benefits ergonomics can have for your company.

How Ergonomics Improves Your Workplace

Injury insurance claims have an impact on the bottom line that goes beyond the obvious. Roughly 33 percent of workers compensation costs are expended on musculoskeletal injuries, while lost productivity and other indirect costs multiply that by up to 20 times.
In addition to physical injuries, poor ergonomics can cause general fatigue and frustration. While employees might be healthy enough to work, they may be too tired and demoralized to put forth full effort.
Concern for your employees’ health and welfare promotes an overall culture of safety, which in turn improves morale. When employees feel appreciated, they’re more engaged in their work and less likely to leave.

Improve Worker Safety with a Dumpster Pusher from DJ Products

Our customers have discovered that a high number of injuries such as back and shoulder strains and pinched fingers were a result of moving bulky dumpsters up and down inclines and around tight corners. Bringing in temporary replacements unfamiliar with the job only made matters worse.

As one customer put it, using our WasteCaddyLite dumpster pusher is “like having another employee on staff.” Visit our website to learn more about how our ergonomically designed dumpster pusher can improve safety at your workplace.

What Are the Top Challenges for Hospital Administrators?

The new century has brought more changes in healthcare than any other period in history. Competition is also fiercer than ever, making it imperative that hospital administrators keep pace with the latest trends and developments.

What are the top challenges you’ll face over the next 12 months and beyond?

1. Incorporating Advanced Technology

Technology has changed the landscape for all businesses, but none more so than healthcare. Some of today’s urgent issues are:

Adapting wearable tracking devices for patient care
Using social media to engage patients and nurture relationships outside the hospital
Continuing meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs)
Complying with HIPAA requirements for effective security of patient records

2. Population Health Management

Although population health management is a hot topic, there’s no standardized definition at the moment. In its broadest sense, PHM refers to aggregating data and creating policies and programs to affect the health outcomes of a group of people. “Group” can be defined by any shared characteristics such as geography, demographics, or even place of employment.

3. A Focus on Collaboration

As the industry shifts to value-based healthcare, providers will find increasing benefits in partnering with other companies both inside and outside the healthcare industry.

Save Time and Labor with Powered Hospital Carts from DJ Products

You can’t afford to have patients burdened by crowded hallways and inefficient housekeeping. Our powered hospital carts allow employees to move loads of up to 1,000 pounds safely and efficiently, even in the tightest quarters.

Visit our website and use our handy online chat feature to let our knowledgeable sales engineers help you find the best solution for your needs.

Equipment Investment May Save You on Workers’ Comp Insurance Claims

Prevent Workmans Comp Claims

Can you put a price on the safety of your employees? A one-time investment in equipment such as movers and tugs can mean a dramatic savings over the never-ending costs of ongoing workers’ compensation insurance claims.

What Constitutes a Workplace Injury?

Most companies are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to help limit an employee’s financial loss in case of injury. A work-related injury is defined as one incurred during the course of employment, which actually includes a wide range of cases.

While most workplace injuries happen on company grounds, they can also occur off-site, such as while driving a company-owned vehicle, if the corresponding activity is part of job responsibilities.

An injury that occurs during lunch or break time can be considered work-related if it happens on company property or off-site, such as during a meeting with a client.

Workplace injuries don’t even have to occur during work hours. They can happen during holiday parties or other after-hour events sponsored by an employer.

Injuries sometimes occur when employees fail to observe proper safety rules. As of today there is no consistency regarding legal interpretation of such incidents, so you shouldn’t assume the employer is free of responsibility.

Depression and other mental illnesses caused by workplace conditions may be covered, as well as pre-existing conditions that are aggravated by performing a job.

DJ Products Offers a Full Line of Movers and Tugs

Electric movers and tugs such as our popular CartCaddy reduce labor costs and workplace injuries by allowing a single employee to safely move loads of hundreds and even thousands of pounds. Visit our website for more information.

What’s Shaping the Trucking Industry’s Future?

Trucking Industry

The trucking industry in the United States is more than a century old, yet it continues to change along with the times. Here are some of the major trends that will impact the future of transportation in 2017.

1. More Productive Vendor Relationships

As trucking companies continue to deal with labor shortages and other obstacles, they will rely increasingly on trusted vendors for advice and solutions. Thanks to a varied customer base, vendors get a broad view of the industry and you can benefit from their greater perspective.

2. Greater Integration of Technology

Improving efficiency and profitability is a permanent goal of all trucking companies. GPS and other sophisticated technology provide a valuable advantage in cost-effective measures such as mapping the best routes and planning optimum truckloads.

3. Self-Driving Vehicles

Automation took a huge step forward last year as a San Francisco startup owned by Uber made a delivery of beer to Colorado using a self-driving truck. Odds are slim that the trucking industry will become completely automated, but it’s another new technology that you should evaluate for possible benefits to your company.

4. Changing Regulations

The government is also adapting to the ever-shifting landscape of the transportation industry. Regulations are created, changed and discarded in order to cover worker safety, environmental issues and other pressing concerns, and you can’t afford to fall behind.

Trailer Mover to Pull Semi Trailers from DJ Products

Our battery-powered trailer mover to pull semi trailers is safe, eco-friendly and economic, allowing a single employee to move loads of up to 100,000 pounds. Visit our website to learn more.

Can You Avoid Workplace Injuries? What You Need to Know.

Avoid Workplace Injury

Perfection is an admirable goal but an unattainable standard. While you can’t completely eliminate workplace injuries, you can effectively reduce risk by following these safety tips that apply to any business or industry.

1. Maintain a Clean Workplace

Cleanliness is more than just a matter of eye appeal. Untidy workplaces can force employees to operate in a constricted space that doesn’t allow for free movement. In addition, clutter can cause obstacles that result in tripping, twisting and other accidents.

2. Conduct Ongoing Training

Training should include instruction in proper safety procedures as well as job duties. Periodic refresher courses reinforce good habits and keep employees up-to-date on the latest safety methods.

3. Avoid Shortcuts

Saving a bit of time here and there is not worth the risk of incurring serious injuries. Make sure your employees are not sacrificing safety in pursuit of greater efficiency.

4. Encourage Accurate Reporting

Employees may be reluctant to report accidents and injuries for fear of losing work time or being blamed for the problem. Emphasize the importance of accurate reporting so that injuries can receive medical attention and safety hazards can be corrected.

5. Provide Proper Equipment

Many workplace injuries are caused by poor body mechanics due to improper equipment. It’s well worth the investment to supply your employees with quality equipment that relieves stress on muscles and joints.

Create a Safer Workplace with the WasteCaddy from DJ Products

The trash room is one of the more dangerous places in any workplace. Our WasteCaddy allows a single employee to safely move the heaviest dumpsters. Visit our website to learn more from our knowledgeable sales engineers.

The Danger of Push and Pull Injuries – Think Dumpster Movers!

Pushing and pulling may seem like basic activities, but according to the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) they are behind roughly 20 percent of workplace injuries. Not only do they increase risk of injury, pushing and pulling inflict stress on the body’s musculoskeletal system.

Studies show that these injuries are a result of poor body mechanics rather than unsafe work conditions. Share these techniques with employees to reduce risks involved in pushing and pulling.

Safety Tips for Pushing and Pulling

1. Whenever possible, push rather than pull to relieve stress on lower back muscles and face forward while moving.

2. Be realistic about the effort involved in transporting a heavy load. Consider the task carefully and ask for help when you need it.

3. Make sure the dumpster puller or other mover is in good operational condition. Determine the best route to travel and inspect it beforehand for any obstructions.

4. Use a slow but steady movement when starting and stopping a load. Sudden exertions can add undue stress to muscles and joints.

5. Always use proper body mechanics:

Hands should be chest height and shoulder width apart.
Contract your abdomen, maintaining a slight arch in your lower back.
As you bend your elbows, retract your shoulder blades and push your chest forward.
Keep feet flat and shoulder width apart.

Reduce Pushing and Pulling Injuries with Electric Movers from DJ Products

Our WasteCaddyLite dumpster puller is ergonomically designed to let a single employee safely move up to 2,000 pounds. Visit our website to learn more about our full line of battery-powered tugs, pullers and movers.

What Important Trends Should Hotel Managers be Watching for 2017

Hospitality Trends 2017

A successful hotel is more than just a place to sleep. The hospitality industry is always adapting to accommodate evolving customer needs and incorporate current marketing methods.

Industry newsletter 4Hoteliers weighs in with significant hospitality trends that hotel managers should keep an eye on in 2017.

What Does 2017 Hold for the Hospitality Industry?

Technology continues to revolutionize the workplace as companies develop robots to enhance customer service in positions like housekeeping and concierge. While some workers may become displaced, this change will open up opportunities for those who are willing to learn new skills.
Guests will be able to use mobile check-in by means of a “pod” or simply by going to their room. In some hotels, guest room phones are being replaced with in-room tablets which can be used to order room service and control other functions.
Airbnb may be considered competition today, but in the future they are likely to morph into more of an overall distribution channel for both hosts and hotels. In the meantime, use Airbnb as inspiration to make your hotel the preferable resource for travelers.
How do you define your company culture? Improve employee retention by treating them with the same respect and value that you give to your customers.

Lighten the Load for Employees with Powered Hotel and Linen Carts

Providing a safe and effective workplace is a vital step in boosting employee satisfaction. Powered hotel and linen carts from DJ Products reduce risk of injury and allow employees to perform more efficiently.

Visit our website to learn more about the CartCaddyLite and our full line of powered hotel and linen carts.

2017 Healthcare Marketing Trends for Hospital Administrators

New Healthcare Trends Means New Advanced Ways to Help Patients

Healthcare is a constantly evolving industry. Medical technology becomes more advanced while doctors and other healthcare professionals adapt to the changing needs of patients. In turn, healthcare marketing faces the challenge of shifting gears to accommodate these changes.

Here are some of the more significant healthcare marketing trends of the upcoming year that you should incorporate in your program.

2017 Healthcare Marketing Trends to Watch

Consumers have become more active participants in covering their own healthcare costs, sending them online in search of information. Relevant and compelling content is the biggest factor that will set you apart from the competition.
As consumers become more knowledgeable, they are less likely to respond to generic, broad-based advertising. Digital marketing puts an unprecedented amount of data at your fingertips for use in personalizing your message for specific targets.
While “old school” computers are still widely used, Americans make the majority of their connections via smartphones. If your online presence isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re seriously behind the curve.
If a picture tells a thousand words, then video speaks volumes. YouTube, Facebook Live, Instagram and other platforms give you the opportunity to share video and streaming content that immediately captures interest.
Everyone’s lives are full with jobs, families and other commitments, so people have become less willing and able to bend their schedules. As a result, they look for prompt and convenient healthcare service, much like they do with retail businesses.

Powered Hospital Carts from DJ Products

Our powered hospital carts such as the CartCaddyLite let your employees move heavy loads safely and quickly without inconvenience to patients. Visit our website for more information.

Downturn in Freight Trends for 2017 Plague the Logistics Industry

Downturn For the Logistics Industry

Thanks to a laundry list of challenges, the trucking industry limped through a major slump in 2016. What factors contributed to shrinking numbers in truckloads and volume, and what does the upcoming year have in store?

Recent Woes of the Trucking Industry

The post-recession period was kind to logistics as increases in disposable income, factory production and cross-border commerce resulted in a steady recovery. But over the last 18 months, declining demand for services has turned normal seasonal patterns into a wildly fluctuating landscape.

Experts point to a nearly perfect storm of adverse conditions affecting the trucking industry:

Gross domestic product growth topped out at barely one percent, even lower than the already anemic two percent post-recession recovery rate.

Labor conflicts at West Coast ports created a bottleneck that ultimately resulted in excess inventory.

Sinking crude oil prices caused a double whammy on industrial production and shipping volumes.

In the wake of the recession, many consumers chose to increase savings rather than spending.

Can Logistics Rebound in 2017?

Research company IBISWorld paints a more encouraging picture for 2017, forecasting a 2.4 percent uptick in domestic trucking sales. Much of the optimism arises from companies increasingly implementing just-in-time inventory management, ordering materials more frequently to cut back on storage costs.

Handle Heavy Loads Safely with an HD Trailer Mover

From assembly line to finish, semi trailers and equipment trailers become increasingly heavy and awkward to maneuver. Our HD trailer mover from DJ Products easily handles trailers up to 50,000 pounds across all types of surfaces. Visit our website and use the online chat feature to learn more from our sales engineers.

Author: christopher Harper