7 Material Handling Planning Strategies To Aid Warehousing Success
Chris Hadwin
Logistics and materials handling can be viewed as getting products from
point A to point B safely and on time. But what happens between those two
points - even before products arrive at point A - can determine the success of
the shipment. With theretail holiday season and its "fast in, fast out"
timetables facing most shippers, it's time to ensure the materials handling
equipment (MHE) systems are in place, stocked up, and tuned up for peak
efficiency for any warehouse or cross dock operation.
Whether getting product from one dock to the next in a cross
docksetting, or from a dock to warehouse rack location, or even onto a truck to
its final point of delivery; safe and efficient materials handling involves
numerous variables. Shippers must determine the type and weight of the
materials; the types of containers required, including boxes, bags, pallets,
even garment-on-hanger; and any unique handling requirements, especially for
food, liquid, or fragile materials. This all will impact the MHE selected for
the job at hand.
Ready to prepare your MHE operation for the coming season - and beyond?
These seven strategies can help:
Be flexible, fluid, and fast. Throughput for the holidays can be
high-velocity and time-sensitive. This is only exacerbated, in one example, in
multi-client cross dock settings, where different customers have different
material handling needs. From the use of conveyors, wheeled dollies, even
forklifts, to cross docking systems - with customer products spec'd, measured,
and weighed to ensure products can fit your MHE systems - research your client
material requirements.Stock up to reduce downtime. Perform preventive maintenance during slow
times to ensure uptime during peak periods. Have contact information handy for
key repair providers. Next, because space often is at a premium, maintain
adequate on-site stock of commonly used materials, stretch film, labels,
banding materials, and the like, and have an inventory process in place to
ensure you stay ahead of premature depletion.Maximize MHE investment for off-peak use. Once peak season is over,
don't let your MHE sit idle. Look for flexible conveyors, manual or powered
pallet jacks, or other equipment that can be deployed across the network as
needed. Build your system to maximize MHE utilization during the off-season.Train your staff and temp team. More volume requires more people. Solid
training - presented preferably in a simple, easy-to-grasp process that cuts
across MHE, related supplies, and products being shipped - can ensure new
associates transition into new positions and achieve peak productivity quickly.Prepare for distribution system recovery. If 10 pallets, totes, dollies,
and other MHE products are shipped out across the network, make sure you get 10
back. Creating a recovery process and procedure, along with someone to oversee
it, will minimize or eliminate untimely and critical shortages.Be forward thinking for this season - and beyond. MHE may appear
somewhat simplistic, but it's growing in complexity. Technology and "the
Internet of things" are changing MHE. Cross dock, warehousing, logistics, and
MHE increasingly are part of an interconnected information network. The
application of technology can increase efficiencies across the larger supply
chain. This forward view also will help in the procurement of MHE solutions
that won't become obsolete or out of date in a few years.Find a partner to help hone your system. Reduce the risk of shortcomings
stemming from choosing the wrong solutions. Engage a subject matter expert or
your 3PL partner to help determine the best solutions for your specific needs.
Some shippers - and their logistics and transportation providers - are
already feeling the holiday season. Knowing your MHE needs now can ensure the
operation is optimized and downtime minimized this season - and beyond.
Source:
http://blog.ryder.com/2015/09/7-material-handling-planning-strategies-aid-warehousing-success/
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