Articles
Materials Handling
Implementing a Pick-to-Light Solution
For distribution operations where 80 percent or more of item-level picking volume comes from 20 percent or less of the SKU base, pick-to-light solutions can help optimize productivity and accuracy. Christina Dube, marketing communications manager of Westbrook, Maine-based materials handling solutions provider Kardex Remstar, offers these tips for selecting and implementing pick-to-light technology at your […]
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DC Automation: Sorting It Out
Changing consumer expectations and demand for greater efficiency, economy, and productivity present new twists and turns in warehouse automation.
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Pallet Strategies: Stacking the Odds in Your Favor
When it comes to choosing the best pallet for your shipments, the smart money is on a strategic approach that anticipates future needs.
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Materials Handling Equipment: Flex Appeal
Refining materials handling systems to be more agile, flexible, and dynamic acts as a competitive force equalizer.
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Sorting Out Savings Opportunities in Your E-Commerce Warehouse
The continuing growth of e-commerce has created challenges for distribution centers (DCs). Parcels are smaller, lighter, and harder to handle on the same conveyors and sorters. And shipping and logistics firms have amped up the pressure, adding dimensional charges as a penalty to those that ship lightweight goods. But from the shipper’s perspective, the less […]
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Stacker Cranes Cure Pallet Pain
Pharmaceutical manufacturer Catalent prescribed an automated storage and retrieval system to treat inefficient pallet storage in its high-bay warehouse.
Read MoreDetermining If AS/RS Fits Your Facility
Most businesses that incorporate large-load automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) store and handle full pallet loads moving at high volumes in and out of a distribution center or manufacturing plant. But other business types may also benefit from the solution. Norm Saenz, senior vice president and principal, TranSystems Corporation, offers these tips on deciding […]
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Lift Truck Strategies Raise the Bar
Materials handling automation and warehouse technology are transforming forklift fleets into competitive weapons—and distribution facilities into finely tuned, demand-responsive machines.
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Materials Handling: A Better View
Visual technologies manufacturer Christie sees clear benefits from its new storage and retrieval system.
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Making a Business Case for Lean MHE
Q: What are the biggest cost drivers in a distribution center? A: Distribution centers are driven by four primary costs. Labor is usually the largest cost, which is why companies focus on it so much. Second is the building itself. Third are the IT systems necessary to support the operation. Finally, there’s materials handling equipment […]
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Behind the Buzz About Flexible Automation
Thanks to e-commerce, many distribution centers are now fulfilling a greater number of smaller orders—leaving some conventional materials handling automation systems behind the times. Is flexible automation the next frontier?
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RFID Delivers the Power to Transform Markets
Q: The business cases for achieving improved visibility throughout the supply chain have been identified. What technologies should logistics providers consider to get there? Pappu: Physical objects are becoming coupled with a myriad of radio technologies to drive a communications revolution. For instance, location information from GPS satellites 16 miles above the earth is being […]
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Tracking Warehouse Inventory on the Move
Q: Despite technology advances in end-to-end supply chain visibility, the warehouse is still a “blind spot” for many companies. What can be done to improve visibility within the four walls to bring the same level of excellence achieved in other areas of the supply chain? Van Wormer: Over-the-road transportation fleets have gained tremendous productivity through […]
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Upgrading Order Fulfillment Systems Boosts Warehouse Efficiency
Q: Is it possible to speed product flow in response to customer demands and cut inventory processing costs at the same time? Hartman: Many automated systems installed several years ago were not designed to handle escalating customer requirements, such as higher accuracy, more complex traceable orders with multiple SKUs, and more on-time deliveries. Nor did […]
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Mobile Robots Expand Warehouse Automation Options
Q: Warehouse managers are tasked with making investment decisions about systems that must scale for growth, often leading to unnecessary spending based on faulty five- and 10-year plans. Are there equipment options that can help mitigate this risk for warehouse management? Mountz: Mobile-robotic solutions offer a whole new approach to warehouse automation. Using features such […]
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Sorting Through Materials Handling Decisions
What happens in the warehouse no longer stays in the warehouse. Today, optimizing materials handling equipment and processes inside the four walls starts at the top, and impacts the entire supply chain.
Read MoreSupply Chain Gain: Simplified Sorting
Warehouse automation allows distribution centers to take a hands-off approach.
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Pallet-Sharing Programs: Better for the Planet
When evaluating a pallet program against your operational criteria— including environmental concerns— the best result comes from looking at the issue in two parts: the pallet itself, and the pallet program. The pallet’s source material, production method, size and specifications, and impact on transportation efficiencies has received much attention and discussion. But the pallet program— […]
Read MoreXylophones, Checkerboards, and Gestalt Theory
Using colors, shapes, numbers, and mnemonics in warehouse signage can help reduce training and picking errors, while improving service.
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Trends—August 2010
Shipping Maintains Traction Despite Gulf Slick The considerable environmental impacts from British Petroleum’s (BP) Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico have cast a pall over the region, endangering delicate ecosystems and tourism industries alike. But to date, the oil crisis has had little negative impact on shipping in the heavily trafficked corridor. Gulf […]
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