Warehouse Improvement Options for 2009

Barriers to Improving Warehouse Productivity
The November issue of Material Handling Biz described the six action items companies are doing to combat logistics costs. This article will look at what Aberdeen Group’s research revealed are the barriers to improving warehouse productivity. They are:

• 52% Insufficient warehouse technology
  
  
• 48% Visibility in and out of the warehouse (e.g., upstream visibility) is Insufficient
  
  
• 47% Warehouse layout prohibits higher throughputs in existing footprint without a major overhaul
  
  
• 37% Poor best practice sharing across locations and between business units
  
  
• 33% Lack IT resources to support warehouse technology initiative
  
  

Overcoming Productivity Barriers

To overcome these barriers, fully 55% of companies indicate that capturing warehouse metrics and activities and sharing them in real time have helped or would significantly aid in improving their warehouse performance.

Similarly, 47% of respondents would like to or have installed an enterprise-wide initiative to share best practices across internal warehouse operations. A small publishing company’s warehouse manager indicates that “through the institution of a best practices log,” the company was able to cut its warehousing costs by between 1-10% over the past two years.

A full 47% feel that more productivity could be squeezed from their current facility by revising slotting and layout, while 46% believe cross training employees is a proactive move towards productivity.

Need assistance in conceiving a more agile warehouse environment? Want to discuss revising throughput strategies? Contact Morrison Company for a facility assessment..

You Do That?

In-Plant Modular Offices
Change is constant. The business world today almost mandates planning that is adaptable to change. As organizations react to market conditions re-tooling, reorganizing or relocating strategies are pursued to defend market share. Are you considering a reconfiguration or expansion of your facilities?

Has flexibility been added to your organization’s set of requirements? Many times a manufactured room can be the right solution for you. Modular systems can accommodate virtually any design and are easily modified for relocation and additions. Have you looked at a modular room lately? Wall heights can be as tall as 40ft and wall thickness can be configured to 6 inches. Adding a mezzanine can accommodate multiple levels or overhead storage. Put pencil to paper – you might be surprised to discover that a modular system saves you money. Make sense out of your project ROI!

The best example of a surprising ROI is with a fully- assembled modular system providing you with complete building versatility and substantial savings in construction costs. Simply forklift the system into place and connect to a power supply. You eliminate the costs for onsite labor and the coordination of various trades – plus, accelerated capital equipment depreciation may apply. If you need to move or relocate the building, simply disconnect the utilities and forklift to a new location. It’s just that simple.

System Benefits (partial list):

1. Customize floor plans to meet your exact requirements.
   
   
2. Maintenance-free anodized aluminum components provide superior durability compared to rust-prone steel component systems.
   
   
3. Optional panel finishes include: vinyl covered drywall, fiberglass reinforced plastic, painted steel, embossed anodized aluminum, and acoustical carpet or fabric.
   
   

Are you curious about the ROI on your next project? Click here to request a personalized evaluation of your needs including a ROI comparison.

Ergonomics Best Practices

Ergonomic Standing Surfaces for Workers
GOOD ergonomics is good business. According to a November productivity study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), lost productive time from common pain conditions among active U.S. workers costs an estimated $61.2 billion per year while at work and in work-related absences. The use of ergonomic or anti-fatigue matting is considered a critical means to alleviating the pain associated with standing work. As a result, it increases productivity and reduces the exposure to labor and industry claims.

How should you go about evaluating anti-fatigue matting and implementing a working surface that offers the best health and safety benefits, as well as the best value? Here are nine essential questions to consider before buying anti-fatigue matting that apply to any product, regardless of the manufacturer. These questions are based on a broad analysis of research data relating to the effectiveness of standing and working surfaces and their impact on reducing fatigue and injury and increasing productivity.

• Has the mat been optimized for softness and hardness?
  
  
• Does the mat provide an adequate balance between instability and stability?
  
  
• Does the mat resist bottoming out without being too soft?
  
  
• Does the mat adequately respond to worker movements?
  
  
• Does the mat balance shock attenuation and resilience (absorb and return energy)?
  
  
• Does the mat get softer as it is compressed?
  
  
• Does the mat resist movement under use?
  
  
• Is the mat easy to clean?
  
  
• Is the mat durable?
  
  

Improvements Cited for Material Handling BIZ

2009 Adds Two Companion Issues

Material Handling Biz is changing to meet greater demands of its readers. Beginning in 2009 two additional publications will be available for customer segments. The format of all publications will contain three articles pertaining to the challenges faced by professionals handling storage and logistics responsibilities.

Dealer Storage BIZ will address the parts and service facilities in automotive dealerships. Space is premium in dealership parts rooms and service bays. Much attention will be given to best practice means of resolving storage challenges whether the dealership is expanding to a new location or remodeling to manage changing priorities.

Archive Storage BIZ will focus on how companies hired to store business records archive them in space efficient facilities. The more boxes that can be located in a storage cube combined with easy and safe access will deliver the most profitable records center. Read along as best practices are discussed.

Is there a vertical market you’d like to see covered in an online publication? If so send an email to news@morrisoncompany.com.