Protecting workers without sacrificing productivity
Innovations in material handling: Working smarter, not harder Manufacturing facilities and distribution centers traditionally had to choose between keeping their workers safe or keeping them productive. Thanks to recent material handling innovations, companies no longer have to make that trade-off. Innovative and affordable material handling solutions empower workers to perform tasks faster and with more precision, while also reducing the risks of injuries from accidents and repetitive motion, and lowering the costs associated with damaged parts, products and machinery. The combination of increased productivity, fewer injuries, and fewer damaged parts and machines directly increases profit margins. The Push for Higher Productivity High productivity has always been crucial to being profitable and remaining competitive, and it has become even more important during this period of acute labor shortages in the manufacturing and logistics sectors of the economy. In fact, the National Association of Manufacturers Outlook Survey finds that “attracting and retaining a quality workforce” is one of the top business challenges among respondents and predicts that US manufacturing will have 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030. Instawork reports that 73% of warehouse operators can’t find enough labor. As companies struggle to recruit and retain workers, the reduced workforce is pressed to be more and more productive. The potential problems with this trend are obvious. “Beyond causing stress, the lack of skilled workers has heightened workplace injury, product liability, and property damage risk for these businesses,” warns Liberty Mutual Insurance. Accelerating Trend to Automate Businesses have increasingly turned to automation to address these challenges. Automation can reduce labor requirements, with fewer employees needed to perform the same functions, and it can also help with recruitment and retention by making jobs more appealing to workers. However, full automation is not appropriate, or even possible, for every task, and it often does not make business sense. Automation systems are expensive to design, fabricate and install and often require specialized skills to operate and maintain. For many manufacturing and logistics applications, highly automated systems, including robotics, are simply not suitable because they are less flexible than humans, the most versatile machine of all. Worker Assistance Solutions Fortunately, a number of material handling solutions exist between fully manual processes at one end of the spectrum and completely robotic automation systems at the other end. These solutions utilize innovative system designs and proven technology to assist workers in performing their jobs better and faster, while also reducing strain and injuries and limiting damage to parts and equipment. These worker assistance solutions combine: the strength and power of a machine, with the control and cognitive thinking of a human. The basic concepts of mechanical advantage have been known for thousands of years. Understanding the power of the lever and fulcrum, Archimedes is said to have playfully boasted, “give me a place to stand and I will move the world.” Wheels, pulleys, wedges, screws, and other simple machines were put to use to dramatically expand what people could accomplish with much less effort. Intelligent Lift Assist Solutions: Work Smarter, not Harder Today, material-handling-assistance solutions fulfill the same basic promise, empowering operators to naturally and almost effortlessly lift and maneuver heavy, large, and unwieldy objects, as if the devices were an extension of their arms. Intelligent Lift Assist Devices (ILD) incorporate advanced technology, such as hoist systems with processor-controlled servo drives, to replace back-breaking work with fingertip control and maneuverability. But intelligent material handling solutions are not just about advanced technology. They consist of the smart overall design of complete solutions that utilize cranes and conveyors to best assist workers in each particular material-handling application on the shop floor and at the loading dock. Intelligent Devices The Gorbel G-Force® Intelligent Lifting Device exemplifies how state-of-the-art technology can effectively enable ergonomic and user-friendly load manipulation. The industrial processor-controlled servo drive system allows the G-Force to deliver both unmatched lifting precision and speed, a combination that traditional lifting devices have been unable to offer. In a study conducted by the Rochester Institute of Technology, workers in high-cycle settings were nearly 70% more productive using this system, compared to other lifting solutions, including manual lifting, chain hoists, and air balancers. The G-Force also excels at giving operators the precise control they need to carefully finesse expensive or fragile parts into place. During precision placement tests, the RIT study found that operators were 77% more efficient than with air balancers, and 59% more efficient than with traditional hoists. The high-speed servo control system and sensor technology, along with the highly-usable design, make the system remarkably easy, effortless, and natural to operate. Optional force sensing handles automatically detect force applied without requiring any handle motion, unlike other hoist systems that require operators to press a button or squeeze a handle to initiate upward or downward motion. Float Mode enables operators to precisely orient loads throughout the full stroke range by manipulating the load with their hands and applying as little as 1/2lb (227 g) of force on the load itself to activate the vertical movement. A combined collector/air swivel allows the handle to continuously rotate without damaging electrical conductors in the coil cord or optional air coil. This is ideal in applications where the operator is continuously rotating the handle. The control handles have operator-present sensing functionality, making them safe and intuitive, without the operator needing to depress a physical lever. Smart System Design of Workstation Cranes An optimal material-handling solution pairs the intelligent lifting device with a crane system that makes a horizontal movement as easy and efficient as vertical lifting. Workstation cranes achieve this goal better than alternative solutions, with superior maneuverability, enhanced safety, and large rectangular area of unobstructed coverage. Workstation cranes also called overhead traveling cranes and bridge cranes, are a type of overhead industrial crane that consist of a moving bridge that runs across parallel runways. A lifting device travels back and forth across the bridge, while the movement of the bridge enables simultaneous movement in a perpendicular direction. A well-designed system will offer little rolling resistance to the bridge and trolleys
Inflation-adjusted economic justification tool projects labor savings from packaging automation
Orbital wrapping machine manufacturer TAB Industries, LLC, Reading, Pa., has updated its online Economic Justification Tool to reflect surging inflation in the labor market. Raising the default hourly labor rate from $13.50/hour to $20.50/hour, the Economic Justification Tool reveals that companies upgrading from manual pallet wrapping to an automated or semi-automated TAB Wrapper Tornado orbital wrapper save $25,184.25 in total labor cost savings that recur annually versus a savings of $16,584.75 annually in prior years. Replacing stretch wrapping by hand with the patent-pending orbital wrapper cuts the pallet wrapping process from a two- or three-person job that requires approximately four minutes per pallet load into a one-person job that requires one minute or less. At 30 pallet loads daily, the entry-level TAB Wrapper Tornado Standard model cuts the total labor costs per wrapped pallet load from $3.69 to $0.46. “The higher the cost of employee compensation, the greater the savings from automating the pallet wrapping function,” says Andy Brizek, vice president of sales and marketing for the family-owned TAB Industries. The inflation-adjusted Economic Justification Tool is available to use for free at https://www.tabwrapper.com/economic-justification-chart/ The TAB Wrapper Tornado line of orbital wrapping machines automatically apply stretch wrap 360 degrees around and under the pallet and load to create a sturdy, secure, unitized load in seconds without banding, boxing, or strapping. The stretch wrappers are designed and manufactured at the company’s Reading, Pa. headquarters and delivered ready for operation with a warranty.
Fairbanks Scales to showcase weighing innovations at Farm Progress Show 2022
Fairbanks Scales Inc., the oldest scale company in the U.S. and the world’s leader in weighing equipment, announces it will be showcasing several state-of-the-art industrial scales at the Farm Progress Show, August 29 – September 1, 2022, in Boone, Iowa. On display in booth # 444 will be Fairbanks’ Aegis Floor Scales, the FB1200 Instrument, our 1605 Remote Display, and the Perten 5200 Farm Grain Moisture Meter. Fairbanks Scales dependable, low-profile Aegis floor scales, featuring the latest advancements in weighing technology, will be promoted at the show. Constructed with A36 mild steel, and built with years of accurate and reliable service, the Aegis Industrial Mild Steel floor scales are ideal for general weighing applications in the agriculture market. Additionally, show attendees will be able to view the 1605 Series Remote Display, and watch and discuss with experts how it operates. Fairbanks’ high-intensity LED remote display with the integrated traffic light is designed to save you time, space, and money by combining traffic control and display functions in a single device. The FB1200 Industrial Scale Instrument, designed for basic applications using analog bench scales, floor scales, tank assemblies, or livestock scales will also be featured at the show. The instrument uses the livestock filter to calculate the weight of a single animal or a group. It also holds the highest stable or unstable weight, even when the weight is removed, perfect for agricultural use. Perten Instruments analytical products, ideal for use in monitoring quality, meeting specifications, and setting commodity pricing, will also be promoted at the show. Perten Instruments products are an excellent choice for such industry segments as biofuels, grain farmers and traders, oilseed processors, flour milling, and wet and dry corn processing. The Perten AM 5200 Farm Grain Moisture Meter is the most accurate and repeatable moisture meter available. Ideal for analyzing grains, oilseeds, pulses, beans, lentils, and seeds for moisture, test weight, and temperature, the AM 5200 can be used as a stand-alone moisture meter at terminals or can be integrated into automated testing systems.
See Orion’s S-Carriage, LoPro Drag Chain Conveyor, and other Pallet Wrapping Technologies at PACK EXPO 2022
Orion Packaging Systems, a ProMach brand, is displaying its vast array of stretch and pallet wrapping solutions, including its S-Carriage InstaThread Pre-stretch Film Carriage and LoPro Drag Chain Conveyor, in booth N-5646, at PACK EXPO 2022, October 23-26, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Known for durability, efficiency, and reliability, Orion offers the most comprehensive line of end-of-line stretch wrapping pallet packaging products available. Styles include rotary turntable, rotary tower, orbital, and horizontal wrapping systems. S-Carriage InstaThread Pre-stretch Film Carriage Orion’s S-Carriage brings several advantages to customers, including the ability to save up to 15% on film per load – substantial savings to help offset the rising cost of film seen over the past year. Launched in 2021, the S-Carriage improved upon what many consider to be the most important component of a stretch wrapper – the carriage. At the heart of the design are two pre-stretched rollers. The film travels in an S pattern around the rollers, providing over 180° of film contact to reduce slippage and neckdown. The result is a consistent pre-stretch of 260% at different tensions and 1” less neckdown. In other words, achieving this consistent level of pre-stretch means the customer can wrap faster while receiving better film yield; reducing film acquisition costs for shippers and improving end-user sustainability through less waste. The S-Carriage provides consistency and a unified experience for customers as it works across Orion’s entire stretch wrapping product line. On average, the S-Carriage enables customers to increase their loads per roll of film from 135 to 154, which equals a monthly savings of about $100. The S-Carriage allows customers to wrap faster while reducing film use and saving money. MA-DX LoPro and RTC Animations PACK EXPO attendees can watch interactive animation videos of Orion’s massive MA-DX LoPro Drag Chain Conveyor and Rotary Tower Automatic (RTC) Stretch Wrapper. Developed specifically for the beverage industry, the MA-DX LoPro Drag Chain Conveyor system is a safe and efficient method to wrap and move tall pallets of beer and other beverages. The system automatically receives, wraps, and discharges loads with designated specifications. It can accept three pallets at one time, allowing it to be operated by just one person, which saves on labor costs. The LoPro Drag Chain Conveyor is a low profile, three-strand chain conveyor with a passing height of only four inches, loading of up to three 2,500 pound-pallets from either a forklift or hand-powered electric walkie pallet jacks. The basic system includes one infeed conveyor, one wrap zone conveyor, and one exit conveyor. Loads are automatically sequenced through the conveyors, and the machine will automatically apply pre-stretched film to the load, cut the film, and wipe the film tail to the load. Orion’s Rotary Tower Automatic (RTC) Stretch Wrapper is a space-saving rotary automatic wrapper that easily integrates with new or existing conveyance. The RTC is an ideal solution for easy integration with 18” pass-height conveyors due to its compact size, affordability, and the option to expand with additional conveyance. The machine is also compatible with IAV and AVGs. Ring Bearings Bring 6,000 Pound Weight Limit to Turntable Pallet Wrapping Systems A notable improvement customers appreciate is adding strength to the base frame and turntable support of its turntable pallet wrapping systems. Orion has replaced the frames and phenolic casters of its Flex line with one universal ring-bearing frame. This change simplifies fabrication and assembly with a standard, universal ring bearing, enabling the Flex line to handle a maximum load capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. The addition of universal ring bearings makes the Flex line (LPA, LPD, HPA, and HPD) more reliable with increased uptime, all while reducing overall maintenance costs. Orion’s Flex line of semi-automatic and automatic turntable pallet wrapping systems are cost-effective, rugged, and reliable machines that provide users with all the features needed to wrap pallet loads quickly and efficiently while using the least amount of stretch film. To see how these solutions can add efficiency and safety to your next stretch and pallet wrapping application, visit Orion in booth N-5646 at PACK EXPO 2022.
Concentric LLC, an OnPoint Group Company acquires Industrial Power Products
Concentric, LLC, the national provider in DC power management and maintenance for the material handling and critical power industries, announced the acquisition of Industrial Power Products, the largest motive power distributor in the Mid-South. This acquisition will expand Concentric’s service footprint across West Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Industrial Power Products has seven branch locations, each featuring service technicians that are factory-trained in battery, charger, and battery handling equipment repair. The company’s digitally-enabled power services complement Concentric’s digital PM platform, ConcentricCARE. For almost thirty years, Industrial Power Products has been led by Owners and Operators Scott and Michelle Monteath who will remain in their roles after the acquisition. Under their leadership, the company has become well-known for its digitally-enabled forklift power services for manufacturers and distributors. “I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Scott and Michelle for years and this partnership is both personally and professionally exciting. The culture at Industrial Power Products is remarkable and they are renowned for their tech-forward service focus. We look forward to incorporating their DNA into our culture as we pursue our vision to provide a zero service interruption experience to customers,” said Concentric Chief Operating Officer, John Winter. “We could not be more thrilled to join forces with Concentric, furthering our joint mission to bring safety, consistency, and cost savings to manufacturers and distributors across the country. We will now have the capability to utilize our service expertise to impact a national customer base,” said Industrial Power Products’ Owner, Scott Monteath.
Miner acquires New Jersey Door Works
Miner, the dock and door division of OnPoint Group, has acquired New Jersey Door Works (NJDW), a commercial dock and door company in the New York/New Jersey industrial property market. For more than 30 years, NJDW has been providing exceptional design, service, and installation for customers across Northern and Central New Jersey as well as New York City’s outer boroughs. This acquisition supports the continued expansion of Miner’s footprint, now serving most major markets nationwide. “Supply chain and facility operations are more complex than ever. OnPoint’s vision is to simplify material handling and facility equipment management for regional and national customers so they can focus on their core business. Adding NJDW to Miner expands our reach in a critical market, strengthening our presence and partnership for customers requiring national dock and door solutions. Mike and his leadership team have built an incredible organization. We want to maintain this experienced team and continue to invest in this group to help them grow,” said Tom Cox, CEO of OnPoint Group. NJDW serves a broad range of distributors and property owners, serving over 2,000 customers in the last twelve months alone. Since 1988 they have been a trusted partner for commercial docks and doors, while also providing general contractor services including masonry, electrical, high-security fencing, and access systems. “The team at Miner shares our vision of delivering smarter and safer dock and door solutions amidst an ever-more complex supply chain. We will continue to offer unparalleled equipment design, installation, and maintenance services to our clients, now with an expanded array of solutions and capabilities,” said Mike Serillo, president of NJDW.
Orbital Wrapper manufacturer reports high demand for wireless, automated operation
Packaging machinery manufacturer TAB Industries, LLC has reported that 90 percent of the TAB Wrapper Tornado orbital wrapping systems purchased in the 11 years since its development feature the company’s wireless automation package. Devised as an optional convenience to speed the pallet wrapping process, the wireless automation package enables a single lift truck operator to manage the entire pallet wrapping function by remote control without leaving the seat of the forklift. By replacing a manual stretch wrapping process that typically requires two or three workers with an automated process performed by a single worker, the wireless automation package offers speed, efficiency, and enticing labor savings, according to Vice President of Sales and Marketing Andy Brizek, noting continued labor force concerns among his customer base of manufacturers. Offered on the TAB Wrapper Tornado Standard and Smart Controls models, the wireless automation package comprises the company’s automated cut and wrap device, which automatically cuts the stretch wrap after each pallet is wrapped and readies it for the next pallet load, and the wireless remote control, which brings operator controls inside the lift truck. These TAB Wrapper Tornado orbital wrappers automatically apply stretch wrap 360 degrees around and under the pallet and load to create a tight, secure, unitized load that resists shifting in transit without requiring banding, boxing, or strapping. The pallet wrappers are designed and manufactured in the company’s Reading, Pa. headquarters and delivered ready for operation with a warranty.
Don’t wait until 2023 for equipment you need
Loading dock doors and all related equipment are part of the backbone of our country’s supply chain. It’s easy to forget the role they play in the success or failure of our facility operations – most of the time the equipment we rely on just fades into the background as we turn our focus toward uptime, productivity, and moving product. It’s only when that equipment suddenly fails or falls apart that we realize our operations are literally dependent on the functional status of our equipment. This may sound obvious, but for so many of our clients – this realization comes too late, and the regrets (of lackluster maintenance processes and lack of attention paid to the equipment) are many. Many facilities are facing extremely extended wait times for replacement parts and equipment. Pre-pandemic, typical wait times for new door panels or dock levelers may have been around four to six weeks. Now, we’re looking at four to six months. I recently spoke with a client who waited 32 weeks for new doors and even then only received pieces of what he needed – not the full order. It’s a challenge to even find the parts right now, let alone keep operations running smoothly as you wait months for them to arrive. For facility managers looking to take control back into their own hands, I have three tips. This guidance will help better position your operation and may mitigate the likelihood of having to wait six or more months for new equipment. Double or triple your investment in equipment maintenance – While there’s not much to be done about dock and door equipment that’s already failed, there’s still significant opportunity for cost- and time savings when it comes to the currently functional equipment in your facility. Even if some of your dock and door equipment is only passably functional, you still have that opportunity to protect your investment and avoid having to replace the part. The key is upleveling your focus and investment on maintenance and ongoing assessment. While your facility certainly has a maintenance strategy and process in place, given the current supply chain disruptions I’d recommend doubling or tripling the time and manpower you invest into this process. The more focused attention you provide to your still-functional equipment now, the more likely you are to catch small glitches that could soon turn into big problems, and the more likely you are to avoid having to replace that equipment. So whatever your past strategy has been for maintenance, it’s time to double down. Save every potentially-functional equipment part – Take a lesson from the book of our grandparents, who preferred to save and mend their belongings instead of just discarding them. The practice of salvaging pieces that still have potential value and use, and then pairing that with an open mind and creative thinking, can help you to create some of your own workaround solutions for keeping things running in your facility. If a piece of your loading dock door or other equipment is not completely structurally shot, reserve it for possible later use. With your team’s ingenuity, you may be able to identify a new home for that piece and prevent having to replace more equipment later. Assign a section of your facility’s storage area to these parts and pieces, and make the whole team aware that the new practice is to save everything, waste nothing, and get creative about finding our own solutions. Begin working on a specialized, custom equipment stocking program now – This tip won’t do much to help a facility currently struggling under the burden of equipment failures and long wait times, but it will go a long way to ensuring smooth operations in the future. The unfortunate reality is that many more supply chain disruptions will likely occur in our lifetimes – possibly due to other pandemics, crises, and conflicts – or due to unforeseen causes. It’s better to be prepared well in advance before these situations arise so that you’re equipped and ready to handle them in the best possible way. And one of the best ways to be prepared is to develop a bespoke, custom program and process – potentially in concert with a well-connected vendor partner – to develop custom equipment specs, asset tagging, and tracking. Don’t just continue to rely on the equipment inherited from the previous facility operator – begin to build out a standardization process for specializing your equipment, your process, and your partner for replacing that equipment. When you have that in place, you won’t be dependent on the same equipment and the same replacement process used by everyone else. With so many competing priorities, a disrupted supply chain, and a stressed manufacturing and distribution industry, it’s no wonder that so many facility leaders aren’t keeping their equipment maintenance top of mind. We all have a lot to think about right now, and it’s easy to see why equipment can fall by the wayside. But it’s the kind of problem that only gets worse over time. Take action now to begin to change your process for dock and door equipment upkeep – you’ll thank me later. About the Author: Dennis Sanacore is vice president of strategic sales at Miner, the docks and doors special division of OnPoint Group. He has more than two decades of experience within the facility services, warehousing, and logistics sectors.
Warehouse Safety is on the rise through training and technology
When it comes to warehouse safety, training is a key piece in building the foundation. That line of thinking was echoed by several businesses and organizations interviewed by Material Handling Wholesaler this month, as those in the industry work to ensure safe warehouse spaces. At TrainMOR, which offers forklift training in any class of truck as well as a scissor and boom lift training program, options to train in person and online are both in use, according to Russ Niedzwiecki, the corporate safety trainer. “About four years ago, we began to produce our own online training program. We basically matched it to the live program,” said Niedzwiecki, of TrainMOR, whose parent company is Morrison Industrial Equipment. The timing of the online training development proved advantageous. “We happened to have our program just started before COVID started,” said Niedzwiecki, who said throughout the waxing and waning pandemic, the online training progressed into a natural component of the business. Niedzwiecki added that TrainMOR is now doing lots of live training again but the expectation is that the use of online training will continue. “The popularity of (online training) right now may be at the ground level, but we feel the ground is rumbling,” he said. Niedzwiecki said training can be done on a regular basis, noting TrainMOR offers a library of safety short videos to help keep information fresh as well a unique program that includes sharing a small poker chip with customers containing a QR code that can be scanned daily to access pieces from the video library. “It’s fresh training right in their hands,” he said. “Safety administrators can use it from their desk.” TrainMOR’s approach is to take on a consultant role for each customer in determining specific needs, according to Niedzwiecki. “Imagine someone being in front of a forklift. Where do you think the biggest expense is on this truck? The biggest expense is in the seat. We want to make sure that even though there are lots of advances, it still boils down to the operator being trained,” he said. Safety events Brian Feehan, president of the Industrial Truck Association, agreed. “We know that operator training is a critical component” of warehouse safety, he said. “First, it’s a requirement from OSHA. Second, we know that it works. You can never tell that message too many times.” ITA will host its annual National Forklift Safety Day on June 14, 2022, with an emphasis on the importance of the need for operator training. “In today’s environment, where you’ve got labor shortages everywhere, there may be a lot of people relatively new to the industry,” said Feehan, who said Forklift Safety Day serves as an opportunity for a national round table on forklift training that can work in conjunction with events on the local level. “We provide our members and subsequently their sub-groups information on how to conduct their own events,” said Feehan, who said although local events marking the forklift safety day mostly ground to a halt during 2020 and 2021, the hope is they will be reinstated this year. ITA’s online events for safety day over the past two years drew a large attendance, so this year both in-person and online components will be included, according to Feehan. Another focus of the event will be on the increase of automated vehicles in the warehouse and how to effectively train employees to operate them safely. “We embrace that technology, but there’s training required,” Feehan said. National Forklift Safety Day also offers an opportunity for industry members to focus on a shared objective. “It’s an excellent opportunity for the industry at large to support safety,” Feehan said. “With safety, everybody puts on the same hat.” At Raymond, the emphasis on training is also key. “Training is our number one priority,” said Dave Norton, vice president of customer solutions and support. He said online training is helping complement hands-on training, noting that more people can start with baseline training and can continue watching a truck’s progression through a warehouse. Raymond is able to train operators on real-life trucks or through simulations. Norton envisions training options continuing to evolve with the workforce, especially as the pace of hiring and retention changes. “We’re always working with customers investigating and helping how they can improve operator training,” he said, adding that he believes operator assist technology will continue to evolve. OSHA will also host its Safe + Sound week from Aug. 15 to 21. The nationwide event recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe, the website said. Safety products In addition to training procedures, products are also being developed to enhance warehouse safety. At Raymond, a Pick2Pallet™ LED Light system helps operators identify pallet placement correctly, with an aim of enhancing efficiency and productivity, according to Norton. Telematics in the Raymond iWAREHOUSE™ allows for monitoring operator behavior. The technology also includes a daily checklist for product operation. “It’s randomized so they can’t just click ‘yes’ all the way through. It will make them read the question and answer appropriately,” Norton said. The data also allows Raymond customers to coach and work with operators, Norton added. The company offers products like a truck system that communicates with the warehouse system to direct an operator to the next pick phase. “So, they don’t have to figure out where in the aisle the pick location is,” Norton said. “You can also incorporate that system with end-of-aisle stops.” At Wildeck, Inc. a variety of products help ensure safety, according to Cory Thomas, products manager of guarding products. Wildeck is a subsidiary of Holden Industries and is a U.S. manufacturer of industrial steel work platforms, vertical lifts, rideable material lifts, safety guarding products, industrial ladders, crossovers, and more, according to the website. “Wildeck has three different levels of protection,” said Thomas in describing the company’s guard rail gate systems, noting an LT line, an MT Medium Duty line, and an XT Heavy Duty line. The heavy-duty XT line offers a 13,000-pound impact rating at 4 miles per hour, the MT is 10,000
Super Duty Fans
Fairbanks Scales to showcase weighing innovations at Waste EXPO 2022
Fairbanks Scales Inc., the oldest scale company in the U.S. and provider of weighing equipment, has announced they will be showcasing a wealth of state-of-the-art industrial scales at Waste Expo 2022, May 9-12 2022. Visit booth #1816 in the Las Vegas Convention Center to view Fairbanks Scales’ latest groundbreaking innovations in weighing equipment, including a large-scale model of the lift-deck truck scale for waste operations equipped with an Intalogix® lightning/power surge protection system. The Fairbanks Heavy Capacity Lift Deck Truck Scale is a scale ideal for transfer station scales. Our easy-to-clean solution is the ideal choice for shallow pit scale replacement or new transfer station scale construction projects. The scale’s decks can be quickly and easily lifted and removed with lightweight equipment to hose out debris or dirt that accumulates, keeping your scale running smooth and accurate even in the harshest environments. The Lift Deck Truck Scale is equipped with the proprietary Intalogix® lightning protection system. Designed and developed exclusively by Fairbanks, this state-of-the-art technology has a true digital signal which protects the scale from any harmful surges or electrical spikes. Also on display will be the FB7100 series instrument specifically designed for vehicle weighing. This is Fairbanks’s most intuitive and easy-to-operate instrument for mid-range, single scale, truck weighing. Its economical price, standard touch screen, optional single set-point filling, and no-hassle set-up make it one of the best instruments in the industry.
Southworth Products introduces Lift Tables for Fork-Free environments
ZLS Series Floor Height Lift Tables from Southworth Products have a pan-style platform that, when lowered, sits essentially flush to the floor allowing them to be loaded and unloaded with an ordinary hand pallet truck. Forklift-free loading and unloading have become increasingly important as many facilities have established fork-free zones, and some have eliminated forklifts entirely. Ideal for palletizing applications, ZLS Lifts gives workers unobstructed access to loads from all four sides. Once loaded, the hydraulic lift table can be positioned to any height up to 35-3/8”. The large 50” x 48” platform accepts a variety of pallet and skid sizes, including the open or closed bottom. Three models are available with 2000, 4000 or 6000-pound capacities. A 6” flexible, high-visibility yellow strip is mounted to the front edge of the platform to protect against toe injuries. Lifting and lowering is controlled by either a footswitch or pushbutton pendant. Units operate on standard 115/1/60 power. ZLS Series Lifts can be equipped with a wide range of safety and convenience options including bellows accordion skirting, photo-eye toe protection, one-touch auto-leveling, portability chains, custom platform sizes, and corrosion-resistant finishes.
Stretch Wrap supplier introduces ribbed film for extra heavy-duty Pallet Wrapping
Orbital wrapper manufacturer TAB Industries, LLC, Reading, Pa., has introduced the TWT-20120 Ribbed Stretch Wrap. The strongest grade in the company’s TAB line of stretch wraps, the Ribbed Stretch Wrap features patent-pending, Power Band technology that integrates thick ribs of plastic material within the stretch wrap at regular intervals to provide extra strength, durability, and tear resistance for heavy-duty pallet wrapping. The cast stretch wrap was custom-developed to apply the high compression force needed to secure heavy loads with odd shapes, awkward centers of gravity, sharp edges, and/or other challenging characteristics to their pallets without shifting or sliding in transit. Suitable for stretch wrapping metal parts and assemblies, heavy machinery, building products, and other pallet loads, the TWT-20120 Ribbed Stretch Wrap is proven compatible with the company’s TAB Wrapper Tornado line of orbital wrappers, which automatically applies stretch wrap 360 degrees around and under the pallet and load to create a sturdy, stable, unitized load. The ribbed stretch wrap is typically stocked at the company’s Reading, Pa. headquarters for fast delivery. The stretch wrap rolls come in a 20-inch width x 4,000 feet per roll, 40 rolls per pallet.
Ideal Warehouse Innovations launches new Ground Mounted Trailer support
Ideal Warehouse Innovations launches its new, No Boots on the Ground™ trailer support system for busy loading docks The product innovation team at Ideal Warehouse Innovations, a provider in loading dock and warehouse safety, has developed a new, hands-free, trailer support system – The Ground Mounted Trailer Support (GMTS). With the future of dock safety heading towards automation, the GMTS can be deployed/retracted with the push of a button. The new support is permanently positioned in the trailer docking area in its retracted state. When a trailer has been docked and secured, the GMTS can be activated from inside the loading dock area, rising to support the trailer from below, during loading/offloading. An Ideal Warehouse Innovations No Boots on the Ground™ solution, the GMTS is built for the busy dock environment where a worker in the yard would be at risk from dock traffic. Unlike most trailer support options, the GMTS is not manually deployed by a dockworker but is operated safely from inside the dock area, eliminating risk and saving time. Background: When a truck is positioned in a loading dock for shipping and receiving, the weight of the loaded forklift working within can create an imbalance or cause aging landing gear to fail. A trailer collapse can be a devastating outcome that puts forklift drivers, dockworkers, cargo, equipment, and facilities all at risk. Positioned at the trailer’s nose, the Ground Mounted Trailer Support prevents trailer collapse and protects your people, loading docks, and workflow! The trailer support/trailer stand product family includes options for virtually every type of dock environment. Solutions will be demonstrated at MODEX – Booth B6419, Atlanta GA, March 28-31, 2022
Reliable Dock Equipment at MODEX 2022
For many years throughout North America, companies have relied on the strength and durability of loading dock equipment from brands of Systems: Poweramp, McGuire, and DLM. This month at MODEX 2022, you can get a first-hand look at some of the systems’ most innovative equipment: including iDock Link and the MHI Innovation Award-nominated dock management software, myQ Dock Management. Any facility with iDock® hardware can connect their loading docks online to myQ. This online solution will give you the ability to view the real-time status of your docks, including timestamps of activity and how long trucks have been sitting. Receive email/text notifications if loading is taking too long, a truck restraint is in bypass, or if a door is left open. You can also look up any past trailer session activity, or analyze a series of historical reports to compare and improve your loading efficiency. Visit Systems at MODEX in Booth #B7345 to learn how you can connect your loading docks and see how you can benefit from myQ Dock Management.
FlexQube receives an order worth $520 000 from Siemens Mobility
FlexQube announces it has received a $520,000 order for additional material handling carts from Siemens Mobility in the U.S. Siemens Mobility designs and manufacturers rail vehicles, locomotives, components, and systems to more than 30 transit agencies and cities across North America with manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, Louisville, KY and Marion, KY. The carts will be delivered in 2022. Siemens Mobility has been a continuing customer of FlexQube since 2017.
Diamond introduces the EZ35, the industry’s first Installation-Ready Aluminum Shutter Door
Diamond introduces the EZ35, the industry’s first Installation-Ready Aluminum Shutter Door Diamond Roll Up Doors, a leading designer and manufacturer of panel overhead doors and aluminum shutter doors announced the introduction of its revolutionary new EZ35 Aluminum Shutter Door today. The EZ35 comes with its roll-up shutter door pre-hung in its frame as one complete unit, radically reducing complexity and minimizing installation time. The patent-pending EZ35 Aluminum Shutter Door will be on display during NTEA Work Truck Week 2022, March 8–11, 2022, in the Diamond booth 3579. Roll-up doors can be complicated to install in the field. The doors come in segments and have to be assembled, and installers must cut a hole in the vehicle sidewall, build a frame, construct a head plate, correctly load the door’s roller springs, and finally, wrap the door jamb inside and out to weatherize it and make it presentable. Unlike other roll-up and swing doors that require extensive assembly and time-consuming field installation, Diamond’s EZ35 Aluminum Shutter Door has a squared frame that is built exactly to customer specifications. Each door comes completely assembled and is fully functional once unpacked. The shutter door is factory installed within its welded frame and its spring counterbalance pre-tensioned for optimal performance prior to shipping. The doors can match virtually any size opening and an exterior flange helps installers achieve a perfect exterior finish every time. Frames and flanges can even be ordered to match body colors and trim styles. “The innovative design of the EZ35 Aluminum Shutter Door will save time and money and will make life easier for truck and trailer OEMs, upfitters, and anyone installing a roll-up door in the field,” said Scott Bennett, sales and special projects manager for Diamond Roll Up Doors, and the inventor of the EZ35. “Because each EZ35 door comes pre-sized, fully welded, assembled in one piece, and ready to install, even a novice can finish installing one within an hour, and I’ve seen some completed within as little as 15 minutes.” Bennett points out that the EZ35 directly addresses an endemic industry problem that has been neglected until now, and that many roll-up and swing-door failures can be attributed to all the variables that have been associated with aftermarket door installation. “Because the EZ35 leaves our factory completely unitized and ready to go, we’ve taken that variability out of the equation,” he said. “It’s a true game-changer for the customer, and we expect it to make installation errors a thing of the past.” Though the factory construction and shipping of the complete, installation-ready door unit is new, the functionality of the EZ35 is based on a time-tested design with years of trouble-free operation in the real world. The innovative EZ35 is the culmination of decades of experience from the leading manufacturer of work truck and commercial vehicle doors. “The EZ35’s aluminum slats are held together with an engineered aluminum ball and socket design and use an integrated weather seal that resists moisture intrusion,” said Dwight Lohr, sales operations manager for Diamond Roll Up Doors. “In contrast to other roll-up doors, the structural integrity and stability of the EZ35 roll-up curtain door are not dependent upon the weather seal. Its intelligent design even allows the door’s interchangeable slats to be removed and repositioned or replaced if damaged.” As an added advantage, an EPDM rubber seal also lines the entire perimeter of the door, and once the EZ35 is opened, it will remain in its fixed position until manually closed. The design promotes safety and prevents the free-falling tendency associated with some roll-up doors. The door’s low-profile design makes it a logical alternative to swing-out doors, particularly when navigating near roadside obstacles like telephone poles, when tight proximity to a work area is needed, or when opening and closing makes swing-out doors impractical or burdensome. The EZ35 comes with a one-year warranty, and if service is ever required on it or any other Diamond Door product, the company, now a part of ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, a global supplier of door solutions, can provide service. Diamond can deploy service technicians to virtually anywhere in North America to help keep its customers happy and productive by keeping their doors functioning properly.
EP 237: Kirk Key Interlock and Supply Chain Safety Issues
On this episode, I was joined by Emily Smith of Kirk Key Interlock Company. Emily is the Segment Marketing Manager for their logistics arm and is focused on increasing awareness around safety in the logistics field. We discuss Kirk Key’s Salvo Door System and the safety implications of our current supply chain backlog issues. Key Takeaways Kirk Key Interlock Company is focused on many different industries but when it comes to their logistics segment they are looking at improving safety at the dock where it all begins. They have created the Salvo Door System which gives you incredible peace of mind ensuring that a trailer will not move when an operator is inside of it. The system works by locking down the air brake on the trailer which other locks can do but this one is much more robust. The lock is then taken and put into a holder by the dock door which triggers a light to come on inside of the building letting operators know that the trailer is safe to enter. As we all know, there are huge supply chain issues that have occurred due to the pandemic and other factors. One of the biggest challenges is the immense backlog that has generated over this time. While there is a large focus on getting the backlog down, Kirk Key and Emily want to ensure that safety does not fall to the side. With massive pressure being put on the supply chain to get these things under control it can be tempting to cut corners and create safety risks. Emily and I discuss some of the safety risks that can occur and how to prevent your company from slipping. With Kirk Key’s focus on safety in the logistics world, I wanted to know what was one of the most common safety issues they have seen. Emily said one that I think is huge, communication. Without proper communication, you can become a very unsafe operation. Communication is an absolute key to making sure that not only people know what is going on but are also aware of any potential issues. Emphasizing communication when it comes to safety is a must for all operations. If the communication drops so does your level of safety. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 237: Kirk Key Interlock and Supply Chain Safety Issues
Stretch Wrap Supplier introduces choice of colors
Orbital wrapper manufacturer TAB Industries, LLC has introduced a choice of colored stretch films. Offered as part of its TAB line of stretch wrap, the colored stretch films are available in red, green, blue, black, white, yellow, and orange, as well as in clear as standard, and in custom colors as an option. The colored stretch wrap enables packaging and material handling managers to differentiate pallet loads by color for fast identification and improved accuracy in picking and delivery and to hide valuable palletized parts and materials inside the plastic wrap. Tested and proven compatible with the company’s TAB Wrapper Tornado line of orbital wrappers, the colored, cast stretch wraps are available in a wide choice of thicknesses and properties to suit virtually any pallet load containment requirements without using banding, strapping, or boxing. One-sided cling, quiet unwind, translucent, and puncture resistance are among the available properties. The colored stretch wrap is typically stocked at the company’s Reading, Pa. headquarters for fast delivery. The stretch wrap rolls come in a 20-inch width x 5,000 feet per roll, 50 rolls per pallet.
Uni-Craft Corp.’s Ergonomic Lift & Turn Optimizes Palletizing applications
Uni-Craft Corp. combines the unlimited versatility of Scissor Lifts with the ability to effortlessly rotate and access heavy products for the ultimate ergonomic lifting and positioning solution. Designed for use in palletizing applications, the Lift and Turn is a scissor lift with a manual turntable that can handle up to 4,000-pound loads and is capable of turning 360°. The Lift and Turn’s travel distance ranges up to 72 inches, has multiple portability options, and the turntable platform itself can be rectangular, square, or circular depending on the application need. Strong and durable, the Lift and Turn features solid steel one-piece arm assemblies that range from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick, depending on travel, load capacity, and portability selections. The low-profile design minimizes overall lift height, enabling easy and direct loading without the cost or need of a pit installation. Full 360° load access increases productivity by reducing unnecessary walking or reaching and allows operators closer contact with the platform to add or remove pallet loads. Ergonomically lifting and positioning heavy loads to manageable heights improves assembly control and optimizes worker safety. The Lift and Turn seamlessly accommodates palletizing, assembly, or welding applications found in the automotive, steel, or manufacturing industries. When you need a reliable scissor lift, the Uni-Craft Lift and Turn can provide the ultimate ergonomic solution optimized for your application.