Warehouse Automation Trends For 2021

Jan 10, 2021

There’s been plenty of discussion surrounding warehouse automation, but the events of 2020 have pushed this topic into the spotlight. Organizations of all sizes across all industries have turned to automation tools to help battle challenges like labor shortages, increased demand for products, and disruptions in the supply chain. These are some of the innovative trends that are helping to shape these tools — keep a close eye on them in the coming months.

The IoT

The Internet of Things is not a new industry trend, but it has become the backbone of warehouse automation which helps keep its place in the spotlight. All of the fanciest tech tools won’t be able to communicate without devices and sensors that sync up together. IoT devices will continue to get sophisticated and be used to make everything in your warehouse traceable and trackable at a glance.

Robotic Equipment

One of the most impressive new warehouse robots to grow in popularity is the autonomous forklift. Adoption of these forklifts is quick and easy as there’s no “system” to upgrade or reorganization of processes to add autonomous vehicles and forklifts to your warehouse floor. They also free up manpower, reduce human error, and ultimately, optimize warehouse operations and save costs.

Picking Tools

Of all the warehouse processes that are performed on a daily basis, picking is the most labor-intensive and time-consuming. Expect this corner of warehouse automation to make a real splash, in part due to the explosion of eCommerce activity. A combination of tools can work alongside humans and with existing warehouse management systems to help provide the right product on an expedited timeline. It’s ubiquitous across industries but especially useful for retail brands.

Automated Cleaning

The need for safer, cleaner workspaces has grown exponentially, and with that so do the cleaning workloads. Cleaning robots in warehouses take on basic repetitive tasks like sweeping, allowing humans to perform more complex and detail-oriented processes like sanitization. Again, don’t expect robots to fully replace human staff any time soon, but automated cleaning robots can become a great supplemental tool.

Depending on Data

When your warehouse systems are bogged down or inefficient, it’s not always easy to pinpoint the root of the issue — unless you have cold, hard numbers. Analytics tools can be customized to identify trends, send out preventive notifications, and deploy proactive strategies to reduce or even eliminate costly downtime. Expect to see automation tools that allow inventory to be tracked end-to-end for transparency and accountability along the supply chain.

Gamification

Automation tools that track and produce data points can also be used to make efficiency fun on the warehouse floor. Gamification of the job (in settings that allow for it) will continue to become an efficiency-building tool, offering incentives for collaboration with robotics to get a job done quickly and safely. There is even software available for leaders and managers that can track these goals and incentives.

Forklift Telematics

If you’re still using paper and pen to track your forklift fleet, make 2021 the year you keep your resolution to change that. Forklift telematics use software, sensors, and the IoT to manage your fleet of equipment, measuring metrics like time of use, employee assignment, and location on the warehouse floor. This data is combined in a user-friendly dashboard that gives a holistic picture of equipment health, increasing efficiency.

Warehouse Management Systems

Focusing solely on the movement of your inventory in and out of the warehouse is the key benefit of implementing a warehouse management system (WMS). You can have standalone automation solutions but without a WMS in place, your data will still be siloed and not very useful when it comes to making quick business decisions. Successful warehouse managers know how important this infrastructure is and you can expect to see WMS software evolve quite a bit in 2021.

Are you ready to take advantage of automation trends to optimize your warehouse in 2021? We provide sales, installation, service, and repair for the critical equipment in most warehouses and can advise your team on how to get a return on equipment and automation tech investments. 

Whether you’re looking for equipment for your newly purchased warehouse or you’re looking to replace aging warehouse supplies, we can help. No matter your need, our team of industrial equipment experts can help — get in touch today .

Common Hazards in Your Warehouse (And How to Avoid Them)

08 Apr, 2024
Warehouses are the backbone of many industries, storing and distributing goods to keep the economy moving. However, behind the scenes of this logistical hub lurk various hazards that can pose severe risks to employees and property. Let's investigate some of the most common warehouse hazards and explore proactive mitigation strategies. Slips/Trips/Falls Slips, trips, and falls are among the most prevalent hazards in warehouse spaces. Spills, cluttered aisles, and uneven surfaces can easily lead to accidents if not adequately addressed. To prevent such incidents, warehouses should prioritize proper housekeeping, including regular cleaning and maintenance of floors. Additionally, using signage to highlight potential hazards and ensuring adequate lighting throughout the facility can significantly reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Fires Flammable materials and electrical equipment in warehouses make them susceptible to fires. Faulty wiring, improper storage of combustible materials, and lack of fire suppression systems can all contribute to the risk of fire outbreaks. Implementing preventive measures such as regular equipment maintenance, proper storage protocols for flammable materials, and employee training on fire safety procedures are crucial in mitigating this hazard. Harmful Substances Warehouses often house various chemicals and hazardous substances, which can pose risks to employees' health if not handled properly. Exposure to harmful substances can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other serious health problems. To mitigate this hazard, warehouses should properly store and label hazardous materials, provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), ensure adequate ventilation systems, and conduct regular training on safe handling procedures. Falling Objects With shelves stacked high with merchandise, falling objects present a significant hazard in warehouses. Poorly secured storage systems, improper stacking of items, and inadequate safety measures can all increase the risk of objects falling and causing injury. Warehouses can minimize this risk by adequately securing shelves and storage systems, using barriers or guardrails to prevent objects from falling, and conducting regular inspections of overhead storage areas. Overexertion The physical demands of warehouse work can lead to overexertion injuries if employees lack adequate training or don't perform tasks ergonomically. Lifting heavy objects, repetitive motions, and working in awkward positions can all contribute to overexertion injuries such as strains and sprains. To prevent such injuries, warehouses should provide comprehensive training on proper lifting techniques, encourage the use of mechanical aids such as forklifts and pallet jacks, and implement ergonomic workstations to reduce strain on employees' bodies.

Common Inventory Management Mistakes

08 Mar, 2024
Effective inventory management practices influence the success of each warehouse, the supply chain, and the business at large. Inventory management involves many moving parts and elements – everything from the product catalog to the warehouse space to tracked KPIs. Experienced warehouse managers know that no matter how fool-proof your inventory management systems are, there’s always room to improve and prepare for unexpected circumstances. Let’s discuss common inventory management mistakes (and what to do instead). Overstocking or Understocking One of the most prevalent inventory management mistakes is maintaining too much or too little inventory. Overstocking ties up valuable capital and warehouse space, leading to increased carrying costs and a higher risk of obsolescence. On the other hand, understocking can result in stockouts, backorders, and dissatisfied customers. Businesses should leverage historical sales data, market trends, and advanced forecasting techniques to accurately predict demand and optimize inventory levels. Inaccurate Demand Forecasting Businesses are prone to making costly inventory planning errors without precise demand forecasting. Relying on outdated data or flawed forecasting methods can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. By utilizing advanced analytics and predictive modeling, businesses can better anticipate shifts in demand, seasonal fluctuations, and emerging trends, allowing for more informed inventory decisions and improved responsiveness to customer needs. Lack of Inventory Visibility Poor visibility into inventory levels across multiple locations or channels can result in operational inefficiencies and errors. Without real-time data on stock levels and movement, businesses may struggle to fulfill orders on time, leading to customer dissatisfaction and lost sales. Implementing integrated inventory management systems that provide comprehensive visibility into inventory across the supply chain can help businesses optimize inventory allocation, reduce stockouts, and improve overall operational performance.

A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts

By Denis Benden • 08 Feb, 2024
Efficient material handling is crucial for businesses of all sizes and industries. It directly impacts productivity, cost-effectiveness, and overall operational success. Effective material handling ensures that goods are moved, stored, and transported in a streamlined and organized manner, minimizing delays, damages, and errors. Electric forklifts play a significant role in effective material handling, transforming the […] The post A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts appeared first on Benco Industrial Equipment.
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