Move Inventory Not Workers
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Business -> subcategory Management.
Move Inventory, Not Workers
Summary:
Many companies view material handling automation as a luxury for large corporations. However, automation is scalable and can significantly enhance productivity, saving more time than it requires for training, installation, and maintenance. It's a smart investment to grow your business to the desired size.
Keywords:
carousel, horizontal carousel, vertical carousel, material handling automation, ASRS, pick to light
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Save Space, Time, and Money with Carousels
Many believe material handling automation is only for big players due to costs and perceived complexity. Yet, automation offers scalable solutions that save more productive hours than they require in training, setup, and upkeep. It's not just for high-volume operations or large spaces; it's a potent tool to help businesses grow efficiently.
Consider These Examples:
* An electronics firm had 4-5 people picking orders in a 2,000-square-foot space. By installing two horizontal carousels, only 1-2 people were needed for the same volume, reducing the space to 700 square feet.
* Another company reduced the area required for picking airline parts from 15,000 square feet to 8,000, cutting staffing needs from 8-10 to 3 by integrating an automated storage system.
These companies aren't massive multinationals, yet they significantly benefit from these efficiencies. Reducing square feet and workforce can defer the need for larger facilities and improve profitability.
How Carousels Work
Carousels automate storage and retrieval, rotating to deliver the correct item to a stationary workstation. Instead of employees wandering through storage, carousels bring the items to them, allowing employees to focus on tasks like loading, assembly, or packaging.
A simple vertical carousel might store essential tools and parts, using far less space than traditional shelving. Operators use keypads to summon items, significantly reducing the time spent searching for misplaced parts. The initial learning curve is quickly offset by increased efficiency.
Advanced Systems
More sophisticated carousels use software to manage inventory flow, from delivery to storage, and finally to order fulfillment. For instance, when discontinued parts are returned and scanned, the system updates inventory and assigns storage efficiently, eliminating the need for regular reorganizations.
Volume and Efficiency
Plants with multiple workers making over a thousand picks daily benefit the most from horizontal carousels. These systems allow stationary workers to access inventory quickly without moving between bins.
Vertical carousels boost individual productivity by preventing workers from wasting time retrieving items. They make excellent use of available space, particularly in cramped environments, by utilizing vertical space effectively.
Accuracy and Inventory Control
Software-driven carousels enhance accuracy, reducing misplacements and ensuring items are stored correctly. This accuracy is critical for productivity and customer satisfaction.
Installing carousel systems often necessitates revising storage procedures, leading to improved inventory control. With software, it becomes easier to maintain accurate records and streamline picking processes, ensuring efficient inventory management.
Boosting Productivity
Carousels deliver the right part quickly and accurately. Horizontal systems, often set up in pods serving multiple operators, increase pick rates significantly. Operators focus solely on picking, following guides from computer monitors and light indicators, dramatically enhancing productivity.
In conclusion, material handling automation isn't just a luxury for large companies. It's a strategic advantage that scales to fit businesses of all sizes, driving efficiency, reducing costs, and paving the way for growth.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Move Inventory Not Workers.
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