Murray Material Handling https://www.murraymh.com/ Sales, Service, Installation Thu, 07 Jan 2016 16:00:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.murraymh.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Murray Material Handling https://www.murraymh.com/ 32 32 Cutting Warehouse Energy Costs During the Winter https://www.murraymh.com/cutting-warehouse-energy-costs-during-the-winter/ https://www.murraymh.com/cutting-warehouse-energy-costs-during-the-winter/#respond Thu, 07 Jan 2016 15:59:55 +0000 http://www.murraymh.com/?p=1061 Warehouse winter energy costs can be a huge expense and can often prevent managers from purchasing the equipment that they need. There’s always money to be saved, and cutting your warehouse energy bill in the winter is a great way to save some cash so you can purchase everything from dock boards new industrial shelving. […]

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Warehouse winter energy costs can be a huge expense and can often prevent managers from purchasing the equipment that they need. There’s always money to be saved, and cutting your warehouse energy bill in the winter is a great way to save some cash so you can purchase everything from dock boards new industrial shelving.

We previously covered the topic of winterizing your warehouse, and now we have some pointers on how to cut your energy bills when the weather gets really cold. Not only will it help your warehouse’s green initiatives, it will save you money, as well.

Here are some of the things that you can do in order to cut back on energy costs.

Instal A Ceiling Fan

It may sound crazy, and rightfully so, but putting up a couple of ceiling fans in your warehouse can actually help circulate warm air throughout the entire building.

Logic would tell us that fans help keep people cool, but science tells us that hot air rises. When you have a warehouse that is up to 40 feet tall, the heat that is pouring into your building is going to go straight up to the roof, pushing the cold air down to the floor, which is precisely where your thermostats are located.

Temperatures in a warehouse can fluctuate by up to 20 degrees from ceiling to floor, so if you have an automated thermostat that is reading temperatures on the floor, it is going to think that your warehouse is much cooler than it really is. This will cause it to heat the building more than it really needs to be heated. By installing a few fans on the ceiling, the warm air will more efficiently circulate throughout the building, allowing the automated heating system to take a break every now and then.

Check Your HVAC System

This doesn’t mean that you should simply turn it on to see if it is working. Hiring an HVAC specialist every year may seem like a big cost up front, but it will help you to keep your energy costs low all year round.

HVAC systems can become inefficient over time, and conducting an audit on the system will allow you to identify and correct these inefficiencies. HVAC specialists will also conduct routine maintenance on the system such as changing air filters and cleaning the system.

Seal Your Building

This goes far beyond instructing your employees to keep doors and windows closed at every possible moment in time. You should also have your building inspected for air leaks in the walls, roof, doors and windows.

Every bit of warm air that escapes your building is money being thrown out into the street.

Invest in Minor Remodels

If you have to money to spend, investing in a few minor remodels can help to save you money in the long run. Things such as high-speed doors can cut down on the time cold air has to escape the warehouse. You could also purchase air curtains to put over doors so that less warm air escapes while they are open.

Finally, skylights have been known to keep warehouses warm by allowing sunlight into the building. They are also a great source of natural light that can help you cut down on electric bills

Save Money All Year Round

There are a lot of things that can be done to cut back on warehouse energy costs, which allows you to focus your money on other investments. If you need any new or used warehouse equipment, contact Murray Materials Handling today to find what you are looking for.

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2015 Recap: What Changed in the Warehousing Industry? https://www.murraymh.com/2015-recap-what-changed-in-the-warehousing-industry/ https://www.murraymh.com/2015-recap-what-changed-in-the-warehousing-industry/#respond Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:56:35 +0000 http://www.murraymh.com/?p=1059 Some things in the warehouse industry have not changed in years. Equipment like yard ramps, industrial shelving and forklifts have remained the same for quite some time, but other forms of technology change almost on a month-to-month basis. In the digital age, it is hard to follow the rapidly changing technological landscape, but we at […]

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Some things in the warehouse industry have not changed in years. Equipment like yard ramps, industrial shelving and forklifts have remained the same for quite some time, but other forms of technology change almost on a month-to-month basis.

In the digital age, it is hard to follow the rapidly changing technological landscape, but we at Murray Materials Handling do a pretty good job of keeping up with the times. As we close out the year, we decided to take a look at what has changed in the warehousing industry in 2015.

For an interesting look at our previous predictions for 2015, check out what we wrote about warehousing trends in December of last year.

Here are just a few of the major innovations that have taken center stage over the past year

New Ways to Purchase Goods

The e-commerce industry had a more than stellar year, taking in more than 11 billion dollars over the Black Friday weekend. At the same time, brick-and-mortar stores tried to outperform what is becoming their main competition in retail: Amazon.com.

The increase in e-commerce sales has led to a complete re-tuning of the warehousing industry, with the focus switching from bulk delivery to stores to smaller fulfillments that ship directly to consumers. It has created an environment where bigger warehouses are necessary to maintain the appropriate levels of stock, and has also led to more warehouses popping up all across the country in order to stay within reach of consumers and deliver goods faster than ever.

New Smart Technology

With the added stress of e-commerce pressing warehouses to be faster and more efficient, smart technology has been implemented in order to up the game of warehouse operations.

From RFID tracking to wearable tech, new management systems and streamlined automation systems, warehouses have implemented more technology into their day-today processes than ever.

New Green Trends

As warehouses integrate more technological and automated systems, the government has ramped up environmental regulations and laws in order to combat the fear of climate change.

Companies are now looking to curb their environmental impact and avoid heavy fees by embracing the latest green trends in warehousing.

Need New Equipment?

Regardless of the technological and industry-wide changes that have happened in the warehousing industry over the past year, the need for high quality equipment remains the same. If you are looking to upgrade your old equipment, contact Murray Materials Handling and let us know what you need.

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Everything You Need to Know About The Pallet Rack https://www.murraymh.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-pallet-rack/ https://www.murraymh.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-pallet-rack/#respond Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:35:44 +0000 http://www.murraymh.com/?p=1058 Nothing increases the storage capacity of a warehouse more than the pallet rack. When you stack upwards, you are giving your warehouse a cleaner look that leads to greater efficiency and more space. Pallet racks are simple pieces of equipment that are safe and easy to maintain. All you have to do is know is […]

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Nothing increases the storage capacity of a warehouse more than the pallet rack. When you stack upwards, you are giving your warehouse a cleaner look that leads to greater efficiency and more space.

Pallet racks are simple pieces of equipment that are safe and easy to maintain. All you have to do is know is how to use them and keep them in good working.

Pallet Rack Capacity

Understanding the weight capacity of your pallet rack is important because it will not only keep you safe from potential collapses, but it will also give you an idea of how much freight you can store in your warehouse at any given time.

The pallets racks that we sell here at Murray Materials handling have the following capacities:

  • Standard Duty Uprights: 19,300 lbs.

  • Heavy Duty Uprights:  30,000 lbs.

Pallet Rack Safety

If you’re not using a pallet rack in a safe manner, you’re not using it right. When people hear anything about warehouse safety, they usually roll their eyes because what they are about to hear is probably going to sound like common sense. But warehouse injuries and deaths do happen.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 16 people died in warehouse accidents in 2014. Per every 100 warehouse workers, over five every year will suffer some type of injury.

So when it comes to pallet rack safety, make sure you instruct your workers to:

  • Never, for any reason, climb on the racks.

  • Not overload them beyond their maximum capacity.

  • Avoid hitting them with forklifts and pallet jacks.

  • Always load freight onto them properly.

  • Inspect them frequently for damage and wear.

In a lot of cases, workers are afraid to report damage to pallet racks because they fear that they will get into trouble. This leads to a lot of pallet rack damage going unreported, which can be dangerous. To remedy this situation, it may be a good idea to post a box somewhere in the warehouse where employees can anonymously report damage when it occurs.

Pallet Rack Maintenance

Just like any other product, pallet racks will last longer if they are properly cared for. If you neglect to maintain them properly, you will likely be replacing them far more often.

You should inspect your pallet racks often for any dents and bending in the uprights. This will help keep your workers safe and give you a good idea of when you need to replace them. Pallet racks are usually damaged by forklifts and pallet jacks, with most of the damage occurring on corners and on the lower four feet of the rack. You can also invest in post protectors or guardrails to help protect your uprights from potential damage.

In order to prevent pallet rack damage, you can try:

  • Widening your aisles to give your workers more room to maneuver.

  • Providing adequate lighting to avoid collisions.

  • Reviewing your training policies with forklift drivers.

  • Keeping aisles clear and free of obstacles.

Don’t Sacrifice Quality for Price

You can probably save some money in the short term by buying cheap pallet racks, but you will likely be replacing them sooner rather than later. The heart of your warehouse is in the equipment that you invest in, so always go for the best. At Murray Materials Handling, we carry high quality products at a price that is affordable for everyone.

Give us a call today and let us know what you need.

 

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How to Make the Most Out of Your Warehouse Space https://www.murraymh.com/how-to-make-the-most-out-of-your-warehouse-space/ https://www.murraymh.com/how-to-make-the-most-out-of-your-warehouse-space/#respond Wed, 09 Dec 2015 18:09:28 +0000 http://www.murraymh.com/?p=1056 Warehouses tend to fill up quickly with stock, especially during peak seasons. While more stock means a greater potential to sell, crowded warehouses usually lead to a few major problems, and since not every warehouse owner can just up and spend a ton of money expanding or buying a new, larger building, something has to […]

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Warehouses tend to fill up quickly with stock, especially during peak seasons. While more stock means a greater potential to sell, crowded warehouses usually lead to a few major problems, and since not every warehouse owner can just up and spend a ton of money expanding or buying a new, larger building, something has to be done about the lack of available space.

When a warehouse is overcrowded with stock, productivity not only decreases but it also creates a hard to ignore safety hazard for workers. None of this adds up to good tidings during the holiday season.

Thankfully, there are a lot of ways that warehouse managers can increase the size of their warehouse (not literally) by maximizing the use of the space that is available to them. This, along with a few other inventory-reducing tricks, can be a huge help during the times when your warehouse is particularly packed with inventory.

Start Thinking Vertical

When space in the warehouse starts to run low, consider taking a look upwards for your solution. Just like a modern city, where architects and engineers have been able to fit more people into smaller geographic locations, you too can fit more inventory into a small warehouse by stacking up.

Whether you choose to use a pallet rack, industrial shelving or you to get the job done by stacking your pallets, your solution may certainly lie in the height limit of your building.

Opt for a Redesign

If you don’t have the money to expand, a redesign of your warehouse is a cheaper way to add some more space. Depending on the current layout of your warehouse, you could consider adding a mezzanine.

If that is still not in your budget, try some of these solutions:

  • Use double deep pallet racks

  • Place racks over the doors of your dock area

  • Use outdoor or temporary storage containers

Keep Better Metrics

Sometimes the problem has nothing to do with the physical limitations of your warehouse. Instead, the problem may be that you are bringing in too much product. This doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice business because you don’t have the proper amount of product on hand, but it may be that you just have more than you need at this particular moment.

This easiest way to see if this is a problem is to keep better track of your metrics. How much stock did you go through in this same month last year? Did you have enough of certain products? Did you need fewer boxes of others? These are all questions that data analytics from previous years can answer for you. That way, you can better estimate how much product you need to have on hand, rather than bringing in extra just to be sure.

Upgrade Your Equipment

No matter how you decide to make the most of your space, make sure that your equipment is up to date. Buying new pallet racks and storage shelves can help you make the most out of your limited warehouse space. Give us a call to discuss all of your storage needs.

 

 

 

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How the Increase in E-Commerce is Changing Warehouses https://www.murraymh.com/how-the-increase-in-e-commerce-is-changing-warehouses/ https://www.murraymh.com/how-the-increase-in-e-commerce-is-changing-warehouses/#respond Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:40:51 +0000 http://www.murraymh.com/?p=1054 In the past, warehouses were heavily reliant upon distributing goods directly to retailers. Large shipments would be taken from industrial shelves, loaded across dock levelers into trucks and taken to retail stores. Now, warehouses have a new set of orders to fulfil: those coming directly from consumers via e-commerce sales. Over the years, e-commerce has […]

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In the past, warehouses were heavily reliant upon distributing goods directly to retailers. Large shipments would be taken from industrial shelves, loaded across dock levelers into trucks and taken to retail stores. Now, warehouses have a new set of orders to fulfil: those coming directly from consumers via e-commerce sales.

Over the years, e-commerce has risen from being a mere alternative to traditional shopping to a viable competitor for brick-and-mortar stores.

The Proof is in the Numbers

This year’s’ Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales virtually speak for themselves. While Black Friday sales at retail stores across the country dropped by 10 percent, e-commerce sales dominated the weekend by taking in more than 11 billion dollars from Friday to Monday. This is a 15 percent increase over last year, Time reports.

When considering total e-commerce sales, Amazon led the way with 35.7 percent of the entire online market. The closest store behind the retail giant was Best Buy, coming in with a mere 8.23 percent of total online sales.

So how does this affect the warehousing industry? We will take a look at many of the effects that are already being felt across the country.

It’s Making Them Taller

We’ve already seen standard warehouse heights increase from 32 to roughly 36 feet, but as online sales force distributors to hold more stock (rather than ship it directly to retail stores), that number is set to increase again over the next few years.

Even as of writing this piece, construction of a new warehouse in Tracy, CA is already in motion. The warehouse, which doesn’t yet have a tenant, will have a 40 foot clearance height, well above most other modern warehouses. Not only are warehouses increasing in square footage, builders are also looking to up to the sky for storage solutions as well.

It’s Bringing Them Closer to People

While the sizing and layout of warehouses are changing, their locations are also being moved to better service customers who rely on e-commerce.

Amazon leads the way in this initiative, as the company has added more fulfillment centers to its list every year. The company currently has the capability of offering same-day shipping to cities all across the country and now has a warehouse within 20 miles of over 31 percent of the population.

Keep Up With the Times

As e-commerce puts more pressure on local warehouses, it is important to make sure that your equipment is ready to take on the increase in freight traffic. Murray Material Handling has a great price on everything from dock levelers to wire decking and shelving. Contact us today to update your warehouse.

 

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Warehouse Metrics Everyone Should Measure https://www.murraymh.com/warehouse-metrics-everyone-should-measure/ https://www.murraymh.com/warehouse-metrics-everyone-should-measure/#respond Mon, 30 Nov 2015 17:25:18 +0000 http://www.murraymh.com/?p=1053 It wasn’t too long ago that warehouse managers were only concerned with the stability of their dock boards and the status of inbound and outbound shipments. As we push forward into the era of big data, one thing is becoming apparent: metrics matter regardless of what industry your work in. Data collection has become such […]

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It wasn’t too long ago that warehouse managers were only concerned with the stability of their dock boards and the status of inbound and outbound shipments.

As we push forward into the era of big data, one thing is becoming apparent: metrics matter regardless of what industry your work in. Data collection has become such an integral part of running a warehouse that many managers are beginning to take advantage of its uses.

But not all data metrics are created equal. In order to avoid wasteful expenditures of time and resources, it is important to recognize what metrics matter to warehouses and why they should be used to improve operations.

Swimming in Mounds of Data

Before buying up every piece of software that you can find, measuring every action of every employee and trying to figure out how this all can help you save money, know that there is such a thing as too much data.

You can spend hours pouring over numbers and going crazy trying to connect the dots. Meanwhile, none of it even has anything to do with your operational processes. So, what data does matter to you?

Know Your KPIs

It is useless trying to measure anything that isn’t related to you key performance indicators. Using metrics for self improvement starts with you ascertaining exactly what it is your are trying to improve.

Are you trying to decrease warehouse accidents? If so, try recording what time of day in which they occur, what part of the warehouse that they happened, what equipment was involved, etc.

Each piece of data that your collect, whether it is for the purpose of saving money, time or reducing errors, should coincide with what you are trying to improve upon. Anything outside of these areas is a waste of time.

Common Metrics for Warehouses

Among the many types of metrics that are commonly measured by warehouse managers are:

  • Perfect orders (in which customers receive that right merchandise on time and undamaged)

  • Inventory accuracy

  • Timeline of order fulfillment

  • Shipping accuracy

  • Fill rate

  • Customer retention and return rate

  • New customer rate

  • Cost to ship

  • Returns (and reasons why)

  • Seasonal peaks and slow times

In the end, you have to find out what metrics are important to your warehouse. Once you do, it will only be a matter of keeping track of them so that your can learn where you can improve.

When Everything Falls Into Place

There is nothing better than the sight of an efficient, well-operating warehouse, and everything from metrics to new equipment plays a part in making this happen. If you are in need of quality new and used warehouse equipment, contact us today.

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Prepping Your Warehouse for Holidays and Seasonal Peaks https://www.murraymh.com/prepping-your-warehouse-for-holidays-and-seasonal-peaks/ https://www.murraymh.com/prepping-your-warehouse-for-holidays-and-seasonal-peaks/#respond Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:01:00 +0000 http://www.murraymh.com/?p=1033 The holidays are here. If you’re a warehouse manager, those few words are likely enough to send you into overdrive. It’s the time of year when your warehouse and crew must be prepared for the chaos that seasonal peaks can induce. Do you have sufficient stock on hand? Are your loading docks prepped? If you […]

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The holidays are here.

If you’re a warehouse manager, those few words are likely enough to send you into overdrive. It’s the time of year when your warehouse and crew must be prepared for the chaos that seasonal peaks can induce.

Do you have sufficient stock on hand? Are your loading docks prepped? If you don’t use loading docks, are your yard ramps ready to go? How are you going to remain efficient with so many trucks coming and going?

But enough with the questions. It’s time for some answers. Here’s how you can ensure that your warehouse is ready to go once the holiday rush begins.

Always Think About Efficiency

Is you warehouse running as efficiently as possible? When it comes time to take on the holiday rush, you want everyone and everything to be running smoothly and on all cylinders. One weak spot in the chain is enough to throw the entire operation off course.

Warehouse efficiency begins at the loading dock. You want to make sure that your equipment is up to date and ready to take on the additional stress of added loads.

Check on Your Warehouse Management System

Now is not the time to implement a new warehouse management system. The last thing that you want to be doing during the holiday rush is learning how to use a new system. You especially don’t want to have to waste precious time training your team.

Having said that, you do want to ensure that your current system isn’t outdated. You also want to make sure that everything is running properly. If your workers have been experiencing glitches or other sorts of trouble, make sure that you remedy them before you are too busy to do so.

Review Your Best Practices

Not only should you be going over your best practices, but you should be reviewing them with your team, as well.

In order to remain efficient, it is important for everyone to be on the same page. That way, when the going gets tough, every person in your operation is aware of what they have to do and when.

Lastly, Remember to Stay Safe

Once you have ensured that your warehouse is optimized, your workers are prepared and your procedures are set, you want make sure that everyone is in for a safe holiday season.

From checking your shelves to going over forklift safety, you should be making sure that your warehouse is a safe place for your employees. No one wants an accident to occur, least of all during the holidays.

What tips do you have for running a warehouse during the holidays? Let us know by joining the conversation below.

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Increasing Efficiency at Your Loading Dock https://www.murraymh.com/increasing-efficiency-at-your-loading-dock/ https://www.murraymh.com/increasing-efficiency-at-your-loading-dock/#respond Thu, 19 Nov 2015 14:56:56 +0000 http://www.murraymh.com/?p=1032 Not too long ago, we wrote about why warehouse efficiency starts at the loading dock. It’s a concept that, when executed properly, will have your supply chain moving faster than ever. A lot goes into loading dock procedures. Trucks need to be directed, forklift ramps secured, inventory accounted for and much more. If you narrow […]

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Not too long ago, we wrote about why warehouse efficiency starts at the loading dock. It’s a concept that, when executed properly, will have your supply chain moving faster than ever.

A lot goes into loading dock procedures. Trucks need to be directed, forklift ramps secured, inventory accounted for and much more. If you narrow this process down to a simple system that flows smoothly, you will have have a warehouse that is efficient, safe and running nearly on autopilot. Trucks will be moving in and out at a rapid clip, and freight will be stored and shipped off faster than before.

How can this be achieved? Read on for a few tips that will get you closer to your goal.

Guide Trucks to the Dock

Warehouse efficiency starts with getting the truck lined up properly with the loading dock. It seems like a simple task, but sometimes you will see it go terribly wrong. Maybe the driver was new, in a rush or just having a bad day, but we’ve all seen a truck have to pull forward and backward several times to line up with the dock.

You can eliminate this risk altogether by painting guidelines outside of your loading dock. This will allow drivers to guide the truck into the right position. If you can afford it, place a worker outside to guide trucks in and out of the area, especially if your yard is small or cramped.

Install Some Lights

Workers can’t move freight quickly if they can’t see what they are doing. We’ve seen some pretty poorly lit warehouses in our time, and it not only gums up the works, it also creates hazards for your workers.

If your warehouse isn’t very well lit, you can place a few portable lights around the docks to make it easier to load and unload trucks.

Embrace RFID

Why stop and scan every pallet that comes in and out of the warehouse if you don’t have to? There are a lot of benefits to implementing RFID tracking, but one of the most important among them is efficiency.

Since it is automatically scanned into the system, freight that is tagged with radio-frequency identification technology can proceed in and out of the warehouse quickly and without stopping.

Get Rid of Bottlenecks

If the confines of your warehouse are tight, consider stacking freight upwards in order to save on space and reduce tight working conditions. You should aim to have enough space in your aisles for at least two pallets, one moving in each direction, to pass one another. This will cut down on waiting times when workers are trying to move freight on or off of trucks.

Get Some New Equipment

You can’t have warehouse efficiency without properly working equipment. In order to maintain an efficient warehouse, you need everything from loading dock equipment to shelving and more. Let us know what your needs are and Murray Materials Handling will provide you with the solution.

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How to Improve Warehouse Tracking with RFID Technology https://www.murraymh.com/how-to-improve-warehouse-tracking-with-rfid-technology/ https://www.murraymh.com/how-to-improve-warehouse-tracking-with-rfid-technology/#respond Mon, 09 Nov 2015 21:10:34 +0000 http://murraymh.wpengine.com/?p=1028 Radio-frequency identification technology, better known as RFID, is incredibly popular in the warehouse industry. The concept is simple: a small RFID tag is attached to each pallet. Special devices can read the information stored on these tags, allowing the pallet to be tracked wherever it is. Unlike barcodes, the device doesn’t have to be pointed […]

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Radio-frequency identification technology, better known as RFID, is incredibly popular in the warehouse industry. The concept is simple: a small RFID tag is attached to each pallet. Special devices can read the information stored on these tags, allowing the pallet to be tracked wherever it is.

Unlike barcodes, the device doesn’t have to be pointed at the tag at all and can read tags from several feet away. This is just one of the many reasons why warehouses are making the switch to RFID technology. Here are a few of the other ways your warehouse can improve its pallet tracking by incorporating RFID technology in your warehouse tracking system.

It Provides a lot of Information

RFID tags can do more than just provide identification for a pallet. The tag can actually hold around 2KB of information. That may seem like a very small amount, but it’s actually a lot of basic text. While a barcode usually has no more than 12 digits that identify it, RFID tags can include information like pallet size, weight, origination, final destination, etc. Once the pallet has reached its destination, the tag is removed and can be reprogrammed for use on another pallet. Other types of pallet identification are one-use only—new barcodes, for example, have to be printed for every new pallet.

Automatic Inventory Modification

One of the biggest advantages of using RFID technology is in receiving. Because an RFID device doesn’t have to be pointed at the tag, the device can be set up automatically to read and log any tag that moves past it. Warehouses set up an RFID reader by each receiving dock, and as a pallet goes past, its tag is automatically read and the information logged in the warehouse’s inventory. There’s no longer any worry that someone will miss scanning a pallet. The time it takes to scan and log pallets can be dramatically reduced. Another device can be placed at each outgoing dock to track pallets leaving the warehouse.

Managing Pallets

Because the RFID tags can be dynamically changed, it’s much easier to keep track of where all of the pallets in your warehouse are. When a pallet is moved to a different area, its warehouse shelving information is updated. Then it’s easy to check the master inventory system to see where a pallet is. The warehouse can even be covered in RFID readers to allow for real time tracking—an interactive map can show the location of every RFID tag in the inventory, even those being moved.

A Secure Supply Chain

If the manufacturer tags pallets with an RFID tag before they even leave the factory, it’s easy to track every stop a pallet makes before it reaches the customer. This allows for much more accurate information to be sent to every warehouse and trucker between the origination and final destination. It can also be used to guarantee food really did go from farm to table or that products aren’t being sold past their expiration date.

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Pallet Rack Safety Considerations https://www.murraymh.com/pallet-rack-safety-considerations/ https://www.murraymh.com/pallet-rack-safety-considerations/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:03:50 +0000 http://murraymh.wpengine.com/?p=1025 When working around pallets and pallet racks, safety is a key concern. Because a pallet rack can be stacked very tall and can be full of heavy items, it presents a danger to anyone working around it, especially if the rack is old or hasn’t been maintained properly. There are a number of different safety […]

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When working around pallets and pallet racks, safety is a key concern. Because a pallet rack can be stacked very tall and can be full of heavy items, it presents a danger to anyone working around it, especially if the rack is old or hasn’t been maintained properly. There are a number of different safety considerations that a warehouse manager has to be aware of when it comes to pallet racks. Here are a few of those considerations and what should be done to make the workplace as safe as possible for your employees.

Pallet Rack Collapses

There are three common causes of a pallet rack falling over or collapsing. First, it’s overloaded or otherwise used in some way that it shouldn’t be, such as pallets that are too large being loaded onto a pallet rack. Part of the pallet may hang off the rack, which puts a lot of stress on the rack in addition to presenting a danger to people walking by. The second cause is a forklift operator crashing into the rack, causing it to fall. The third common cause of pallet rack collapse is simply not understanding the safety considerations that come with working around pallets. If employees understand all of the safety rules and regulations that come with working around pallets, causes one and two should be minimized.

In fact, many different safety issues can be avoided with proper training. Employees should know the capacity for each rack and never exceed it. They should also know how to properly place a load on rack beams and how to safety maneuver a forklift through the aisles. Those who have accidents should go through safety refresher training to make certain they understand all the rules and regulations.

Using the Wrong Racks

Not all pallet racks are created the same. Some are rated for more weight, while others are wider or longer and can accommodate different sized pallets. Using the wrong type of rack is a major safety issue, which is why it’s important to know what type of racks you need for your warehouse and to make certain they’re being used. If you are using old pallet racks or have the chance to acquire pallet racks for a low cost, make certain they can actually be used for what you need them for.

Make Sure Racks are Installed Correctly

Another safety consideration is proper installation. If your upright pallet racks aren’t bolted to the floor correctly, they’re going to present a major safety risk. When installing new racks, make certain they are correctly installed before using them. Also, do periodic inspections to make certain that the racks don’t need maintenance. Over time, bolts and rivets may come loose. Make sure that all pallet racks are maintained properly so accidents do not occur.

Replace Racks as Necessary

If you notice that a pallet rack is showing signs of damage or age, replace it as soon as possible. It may be costly and take time to unload and remove the old rack, but safety must always come first.

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