Business warehouses hold a significant amount of inventory, especially with many companies working Internet sales and local retailing. In fact, factory warehouses can stretch longer than a football field so handling every item within must be planned accordingly. Take a close look at the top pieces of equipment that every factory needs to remain a workhorse in the industry.
Robotic Arms
Grabbing a ladder, pulling inventory, and transporting it to the proper people are tasks of the past as robotic equipment becomes less expensive in the 21st Century. With a robotic arm attached to each inventory row, factory-warehouse workers simply need to request a bin number so that the equipment can quickly move to that part. This equipment is efficient and accurate as workers remain safe on the warehouse floor. There’s no need to climb into the rafters for parts anymore.
Pallet Jacks
Every factory warehouse has some corners that are tight. The warehouse’s original layout may have been brilliant, but stockpiles of parts might create some barriers to big equipment at some locations. To efficiently move items in tight quarters, invest in a basic pallet jack. These tools are old-fashioned types that require manual motion, but they’re maneuverable in narrow corridors. Move a pallet out to the shipping area or into a specific warehouse section without any equipment sizing problems.
Forklifts
The true workhorse of the factory warehouse is still the forklift. These machines come in various sizes and capacities so that they’re ultimately customized to your operation. Some companies, such as Crown Equipment, know that you can pick up pallets, boxes, and other equipment and move it with swift ease across a busy, warehouse floor. Employees simply need to go through a basic training course so that they can be safe operators. Ideally, train more than one person on the forklift’s controls. You always want at least one person with the necessary skills on call as the business day continues.
Tablets
A technology based tool that’s critical for factory warehouse success is the tablet. Every employee should have a tablet or similar device because the software connects them to inventory counts, bin numbers and other critical information. With the tap of the screen, employees will know where an item is for a sale instead of physically combing the warehouse aisles.
Factory-warehouse managers need to maintain all of these equipment choices so that downtime is minimal each work day. Test the equipment and rotate it out of service in order to retain its longevity. With the right care, the equipment can last for a decade or longer.