When expanding your facility, one key decision is the choice between modular construction and traditional stick-built or “hard” construction. Some of the typical considerations when making this choice are cost, lead time, and code requirements. While this is a good starting point, there are other things to consider. Let’s look at the following as a guide to help you compare the two building methods and their benefits…

Read More >>

In years gone by, facility roofs were designed in such a manner that you could just about hang the Queen Mary from them with little regard given to worrying about the roof collapsing or caving in. Nowadays, this is not always the case. With rising costs in steel and labor, roof structures are for the most part designed with the minimum loading allowed by law.

This can cause concern when trying to layout a material handling system within a distribution center. Clear floor space is very important to customers, so here are five ways conveyor can be supported without hanging it from your roof or facility structure.

Read More >>

With the economic recovery moving at a snail’s pace and the cost of raw materials and fuel continuing to rise, manufacturers are continually challenged to find ways to incorporate green sustainability solutions into their material handling processes.

If I were to ask you to write down three ways in which your company has risen to the challenge of environmental sustainability, what would your responses be?

Read More >>

Whether you believe the peak oil theory or not, the cost of crude oil continues to rise causing a major affect on a variety of supply chain costs. Last year, I listened to an economist talk about the influence of rising oil prices, and how it will change the logistics industry as we’ve known it in recent years. At the time I was skeptical of his predictions. Today with gasoline prices at $4.15 per gallon and rising, I’m starting to believe what he had to say. Here’s why…….

Read More >>

Major trade shows like ProMat are where we, as materials handling professionals, expect to find the latest and greatest in innovative solutions to bring back to our customers. While attending ProMat last week, I was definitely not disappointed. There were over 700 exhibitors and 80 educational seminars packed into just four days. Needless to say, there was much to see and do! This year’s show really seemed to have a common theme–energy efficiency.

Read More >>