Picking Perfection

November 24, 2014

Volume I, Issue 16

Increasing Picking Labor Productivity

When utilizing automation, some of the best material handling solutions move the unit to deliver all parts within an order. Parts are brought directly to an operator at an ergonomic work station. Pick-to-light technology, directs the operator to the exact pick location and displays pertinent order information such as the part number, part description, and quantity to pick. Eliminating the operator walking and searching for parts increases worker productivity. Integrated software allows for the part databases to be synchronized automatically. This includes part additions, deletions, and supersessions; reducing the time to process physical inventory from weeks to days.

Workload and Staff Balancing to Improve Productivity

Often companies do not achieve maximum productivity potential due to barriers imposed through fixed zone picking methods. Best picking practices, across a variety of industries and channels, breakdown productivity barriers associated with fixed zone picking activity. The result is a lean manufacturing process where workload and staff balancing to improve both productivity and flexibility.

Distribution Center Supervisor Salaries on the Rise

The average annual salary for a Distribution Center Supervisor is just over $50,000 according to Salary.com. This position leads the warehouse staff to operate and facilitate the daily work of the distribution center. The supervisor is responsible for managing the financial performance of the distribution center including supply cost control, staff overhead, and other expenditures. Responsibilities include establishing daily and weekly distribution goals and objectives and ensuring their execution. The job may require an associate's degree or its equivalent and at least 5 years of experience in the field or in a related area. The supervisor needs to be familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures and relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. The annual salary for someone with the job title Distribution Center Supervisor may vary depending on a number of factors including industry, company size, location, years of experience, and level of education.

$140B Material Handling Equipment Market Analysis and Forecasts

World Material Handling Products market research forecasts the global demand for material handling equipment to rise 5 percent annually through 2018. Gains will be strongest for sales of advanced equipment such as automated conveyors and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The data suggests that automated products reduce the required labor input in operating machinery, helping to curtail labor costs. Energy efficient products will also see solid gains as end-users seek to reduce costs. The complete report is available here. The US will continue to be the world's largest material handling product market, benefiting from an improved outlook for fixed investment spending. This will encourage US manufacturers to invest in new equipment, particularly labor-saving automated products.

MHI Celebrates 70 Years at ProMAT 2015

ProMAT 2015 is just 4 months away. MHI, producer of the ProMat and MODEX expos, will celebrate its 70th Anniversary with an event during ProMat 2015 on Wednesday, March 25th. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI). "For 38 years, MHEFI has supported material handling and logistics students. To date, more than $2.5 million in scholarships and grants have been awarded to students at 76 colleges and universities," said George Prest, CEO, MHI. "These students are pursuing careers in the industry as engineers, project managers, upper management, and professors. Most of them are employed in manufacturing and the supply chain." MHEFI board members will be in attendance along with students who have benefited from MHEFI programs.

Visit Pcdata USA at

ProMAT 2015

at Booth 4564

Chicago, IL March 23-26

For More Information CALL: 855-844-1086

or email: info@pcdatainc.com

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