Material Handling Equipment Archives - Page 2 of 55

Why Now is the Time to Invest in an Electric Material Handling Solution

Ask anyone and they’re likely to agree that 2020 has been anything but normal. Since the pandemic hit the world in full force in the beginning of the year, businesses everywhere have had to learn to adapt rapidly – cutting budgets, streamlining operations, possibly furloughing or laying off employees, and finding ways to do more with less manpower.

Companies in a variety of industries can benefit from our solutions – from apartment complexes maneuvering heavy trash bins, to manufacturing operations moving semi-trailers in and out of docks, to factory workers moving equipment along an assembly line. Below are three reasons why purchasing an electric tug or tow solution can help improve the way you do business.

Invest in Employee Safety

Keeping your team members safe is paramount. The last thing that businesses want to allocate funds to workers compensation claims from on-the-job injuries sustained while manually maneuvering heavy equipment. Our cost-effective battery-powered units allow one person to safely move heavy equipment from point A to point B without causing strains or pain from trying to push or pull wheeled equipment. Additionally, our products are perfect for social distancing; one person can maneuver heavy loads versus the need for multiple employees in close proximity to one another moving equipment manually.

Boost Operational Efficiency

Throughout the pandemic, slowing sales (domestically and internationally) have forced businesses to find innovative ways to increase efficiency throughout their business while simultaneously decreasing the workforce. Our solutions allow one person to get the job done; reducing the number of employees needed to complete a task and improving efficiency. Our battery-powered tow solutions allow for fast maneuverability cutting down on supply chain lags.

Budgets: Use Them or Lose Them

For many departments, annual budgets operate on a “use it or lose it” principle; if not utilized by year-end or fiscal year-end, the funds will expire and may not be carried over. Considering a material handling solution is an excellent investment to help your employees easily and safely relocate heavy equipment or materials in a more efficient manner. If you’re considering a material handling solution, please reach out to one of our sales engineers via phone (1-800-686-2651) or online chat. We’re happy to help you find the right solution for your particular application needs.

Video: CartCaddy HD Chain Drive Maneuvers Heavy Equipment in Limited Space

For this manufacturing facility, structural pillars throughout the building limited the ability for staff to move heavy carted equipment without the risk of bumping into the pillars or damaging the equipment. When a staff member spoke with a DJ Products Sales Engineer, we were able to come up with a creative solution. The application called for two CartCaddy Heavy Duty Chain Drive units; one to pull and the other to push the huge molds around the space to navigate around pillars. The CartCaddy HD Chain Drive allows the operator to maneuver heavy loads easily, turning and navigating tight spaces swiftly while keeping employees out of harm’s way. The CartCaddy HD Chain Drive can move heavy equipment up to 50K lbs. The unit’s hydraulic lift system transfers weight from the load to the drive wheels for traction. Watch the below video! For more information, contact a sales engineer at 1-800-686-2651 or via Chat.

Meet Our Team: Stacy S.

At DJ Products, we have an incredible team of employees that work hard and help keep our business running strong. From Sales to Production to every role in-between, each and every team member plays an important role in the success of our company. Meet our team!

Title:

Sales Engineer – Material Handling

How long have you worked at DJ Products?

Since March, 2004 – 16 years.

What are your responsibilities?

Sales & Customer Service; communicating with our customers.

Can you explain your role?

I assist customers with their needs; specifically discussing their specific application and helping steer them in the direction of what product would work best. Then, once they’ve purchased a product, if they have questions, feedback or need anything I’m there to provide continued support.

What would you describe as your specialty/specialties and why?

The thing I enjoy the most would be the communication between myself and the customer. I think that I’m personable and can make the customer feel comfortable throughout the process. I enjoy helping them find what their looking for, even if they may not know exactly what that is at first.

What’s your favorite thing about your job or working at DJ Products?

The company; it’s a very friendly environment and our team works together well. Like I mentioned, working with our customers is great too.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with my family; my husband and three kids who keep me busy!

Favorite T.V. shows:

Reality T.V. – Real Housewives, Bachelor, Bachelorette.

How do you like your coffee?

I like cappuccino. I need lots of sugar & flavor added.

Video: CartCaddy Cart Mover Customer Testimonial

The CartCaddy5WP Cart Mover helps Eric Bloom maneuver bunkers of heavy equipment (10,000 lbs.) at the EAP Glass warehouse in Denver, CO.

Benefits:

Efficiency: Reduce the time it takes to move equipment from point A to point B. One person can operate a CartCaddy unit
Safety: Prevent injury in the workplace from manually pushing or pulling heavy loads
Durability: The CartCaddy5WP can pull loads up to 10,000 lbs.

Watch the video below to hear what Eric enjoys most about the CartCaddy. Contact a sales engineer to determine which unit will fit your needs: 800-686-2651.

Tips for Managing and Optimizing Your Warehouse Labor Costs

Labor costs comprise the largest and most unpredictable element of warehouse operating expenses. Unlike material handling equipment and other fixed assets, staffing needs are dependent on variables such as fluctuating workloads and employee turnover.

This doesn’t mean resigning yourself to uncontrolled budget expenses. Experts offer the following tips for successfully managing labor costs.

Optimize Warehouse Layout

When was the last time you made modifications in your warehouse layout? Are order pickers wasting a lot of time traveling from one slot to the next? Review the warehouse layout and look for ways to make workflows more efficient.

Consult an Expert

Outside consultants have experience working with all types of warehouse operations so they can provide tested solutions. Objective eyes can also spot problems and opportunities that may not be readily evident.

Automate Manual Processes

People are often reluctant to give up old-school methods, but when it comes to cost management, you have to use every tool at your disposal. Warehouse management systems (WMS) and other electronic data-gathering programs collect real-time data for more accurate and timely decisions.

Integrate Voice Logistics

Voice-driven systems have reached new levels of sophistication. Bluetooth headsets keep workers’ hands free for more efficient picking and other tasks.

Reduce Turnover

Hiring and training workers is a tremendous drain on the budget. In addition to direct costs associated with the process, it creates a ripple effect of indirect costs, including reduced productivity. Incentivize employees with bonuses, recognition programs and other perks for outstanding performance.

DJ Products: Your Top Source for Material Handling Equipment

Customers have proclaimed that using our electric material handling equipment is “like adding another employee.” Visit our website and learn how our assortment of tugs, movers and pushers can improve warehouse productivity and safety.

Beyond the Dumpster: Could We See a End to Plastic Waste in Our Lifetimes?

Could your dumpster moving equipment soon be pulling less plastic waste? With plastics rapidly accumulating, littering our green spaces and waterways, materials scientists and designers are looking to reinvent the plastics regime.

They’re striving to put an end to plastics problems such as unrecyclable products, confusing recycling symbols, and a lack of compatible recycling facilities worldwide. Their innovations, if adopted and integrated into the plastics industry, could put an end to the pileup.

What New Technologies Could Put an End to Plastic Waste?

1. New recyclable films

Plastic films, comprised of an assortment of polymers and used in paper and plastic packaging, make materials unrecyclable. Swapping these films for nature-inspired, nano-engineered recycled materials mimicking a few of nature’s molecular building blocks can provide a wider variety of new materials – those that are water-resistant, airtight, or printable.

2. Magnetic additives

Magnetic additives can improve the ability of plastics to block oxygen in sensitive products like coffee and medicines, while upholding their recyclability.

3. Wood ‘plastics’

The cellulose in renewable agricultural/forestry wood byproducts, formed into a compostable multilayered material, can be used for stand-up food pouches such as those used for dried cereal, nuts, and fruits.

4. Plastics from recycled food waste

Agricultural byproducts and food waste can be used to create compostable plastics for packaging in a broad range of products, from cereal bars to detergents.

5. Compostable coatings

Silicate and biopolymer compostable coatings could improve the performance of biodegradable packaging, which by itself cannot uphold the required minimum shelf-life of products.

Are your waste management practices falling behind the times? As the industry enters a a new era, ensure a safer, more efficient waste management system. Learn more about dumpster moving equipment from DJ Products today.

Tips to Managing Your Warehouse Labor with an Eye on Retention

Expenses for material handling equipment and other fixed assets are relatively easy to control, but managing labor costs presents a unique challenge. The optimum balance between low cost and high productivity is frequently a moving target.

In addition, today’s shrinking labor pool makes it difficult to retain good workers. Use these tips to manage warehouse labor efficiently while boosting engagement and loyalty.

Automate Repetitive Tasks

While we’re a long way from fully robotic warehouses, there are a number of automated solutions available to handle many repetitive tasks. Automated conveyors, voice-directed picking and connected glasses are just a few of the options that can free employees up for higher-value jobs.

Implement Labor Management Software (LMS)

You probably already use a warehouse management system (WMS), which collects a wide range of data and compiles it in convenient formats. Integrating LMS with WMS offers more robust analysis to make planning and scheduling more accurate.

Establish Incentive Programs

Workers will be more motivated to increase productivity when there are individual benefits at stake. The incentive costs will be more than offset by the positive results.

Conduct Cross-Training

Fluctuating workloads add to the difficulty of managing staffing levels. When employees can move easily between tasks, you’re able to handle ebbs and flows with fewer workers and the variety of tasks will prevent boredom.

Make Safety a Priority

Maintaining a culture of safety demonstrates concern for employee welfare. Make sure workers have high-quality material handling equipment and conduct ongoing training to instill proper procedures.

Material Handling Equipment Designed for Safety

Battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers from DJ Products are designed to reduce the risk of most common workplace injuries. Their efficiency also frees up employees to focus on more important tasks. Contact us to learn more.

New Smart Warehouse Technologies to Embrace in 2019

Technology has made devices such as phones “smart,” and now it’s doing the same with warehouses. There are a number of sophisticated tools available to help you increase productivity of employees and material handling equipment.

So when it comes to implementing these processes, where do you start? Experts recommend these must-have technologies as ones that will make the greatest impact.

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

If you don’t already have a WMS in place, you’re behind the curve. These systems let you review large amounts of data in an organized fashion, making it easier to anticipate and plan for changes. A WMS also coordinates well with other technologies to serve as an information hub.

Automated Picking Tools

Fewer issues will annoy customers more than orders filled with errors. Voice automation, robots and upgraded barcoding are some of the options you can use to improve order-picking accuracy.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)

AS/RS is not a new concept, but the drawbacks of earlier versions often outweighed their benefits. Today’s systems are more streamlined so you can enjoy the advantages of lower costs and greater accuracy without the inconvenience.

Automated Inventory Control

Inventory control is an essential factor in cost management and effective customer service, but manual systems are clumsy and time-consuming. Automated platforms can perform the work automatically and put real-time data at your fingertips, even remotely.

Collaborative Robots (Cobots)

While visions of the future often include fully automated workplaces, staffing a warehouse with robots isn’t truly feasible at this point. Cobots are designed to work alongside employees, not replace them, to enhance operations.

State-of-the-Art Material Handling Equipment by DJ Products

Our electric material handling equipment coordinates perfectly with all types of warehouse systems. Contact us for more information.

A Look Ahead into Barcoding and Labeling Usage in Warehouses for 2019

The rise in E-commerce has resulted in customer demand for greater speed with less room for error. Reliable material handling equipment and accurate barcoding and labeling are necessities to stay ahead of the competition.

Here are the barcoding and labeling trends experts are seeing today. How does your system measure up?

Flexible Usage

Product demand, return volumes and seasonal fluctuations cause frequent changes in product slotting for maximum efficiency. Many barcoding and labeling systems are moving to materials that are easy to remove and reposition.

Advance Planning

When planning a warehouse layout, the barcoding and labeling process is often regarded as a secondary issue that can be handled on the fly. Putting it off until later can result in confusion, errors and delays. Make sure barcoding and labeling is part of the initial planning process for any new construction or renovations.

Color-Coding

Colored barcode labels are more visible, making them particularly helpful with tiered racking systems. Color-coding also provides consistency across a network of warehouses or distribution centers.

Environment-Specific

Different conditions present different challenges for barcoding and labeling. For instance, a label that works in ambient temperatures may be insufficient for freezer use. Consider the environment that labels will be used in and be sure they can stand up to the conditions.

Full-Service Suppliers

As warehouse space grows to accommodate inventory levels required for E-commerce, barcoding and labeling becomes more complex. Full-service suppliers can handle the project every step of the way, from planning and preparation to creation and installation.

Modern Material Handling Equipment for Today’s Warehouses

As a satisfied customer put it, our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers are like adding another person to your warehouse staff. Contact DJ Products to learn more about our full selection of material handling equipment.

Warehouse Tips: Special Considerations for Warehouse Shift Worker Safety

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.