http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:12:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/28/does-santa-claus-need-a-material-handling-system/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/28/does-santa-claus-need-a-material-handling-system/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:35:42 +0000 Robin Kochis http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=5276 When I first read through the sales coordinator job description at Bastian Solutions, a material handling system integrator, I didn't fully understand what this company did. Someone on the outside might ask what exactly a material handling system (MHS) is. While the CAD drawings (computer aided design drawings) look like they were drawn by a rocket scientist, an MHS very simply moves (handles) something (material) from point A to point B; an item is going from here to there. As I learned more about material handling systems, I thought--a silly thought I admit--that even Santa Claus would be more efficient with a conveyor system... Read More >>]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/28/does-santa-claus-need-a-material-handling-system/feed/ 0 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/02/comparing-modular-construction-vs-stick-built-construction/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/02/comparing-modular-construction-vs-stick-built-construction/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:17:08 +0000 Bill Hawthorne http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=4964 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 >>]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/02/comparing-modular-construction-vs-stick-built-construction/feed/ 1 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/11/08/how-to-be-a-great-material-handling-equipment-partner/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/11/08/how-to-be-a-great-material-handling-equipment-partner/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:51:54 +0000 Tim Brown http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=4842 I have had the good fortune to have succeeded in the material handling equipment (MHE) industry for more than 27 years now, and during my time in the industry, I have worked with a wide range of customers. Most of them have been excellent partners in the purchasing process; however, some have made the process a bit difficult, resulting in numerous re-quotes and many wasted engineering hours. This not only resulted in frustration for me, but more importantly, frustration and wasted time for them. To avoid those issues and facilitate the process for both parties, here are some basic tips on how to be an excellent material handling equipment partner: Read More >>]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/11/08/how-to-be-a-great-material-handling-equipment-partner/feed/ 0 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/27/5-ways-to-support-your-conveyor-system-while-conserving-floor-space/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/27/5-ways-to-support-your-conveyor-system-while-conserving-floor-space/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:47:32 +0000 Bill Galbraith http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=4801 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 >> ]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/27/5-ways-to-support-your-conveyor-system-while-conserving-floor-space/feed/ 2 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/30/hurry-up-so-we-can-save-some-money/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/30/hurry-up-so-we-can-save-some-money/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:19:19 +0000 Blain Cook http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=4690 It's always puzzled me as to why so many companies spend months and years planning and designing a project and only give the material handling integrators two weeks to bid. It's also been suggested that tight timelines provide the end user with the best price possible. In my opinion and past experience, this statement couldn't be further from the truth. Read More >>]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/30/hurry-up-so-we-can-save-some-money/feed/ 0 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/30/gleaners-food-bank-set-to-feed-more-indiana-children-with-automated-assembly-line/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/30/gleaners-food-bank-set-to-feed-more-indiana-children-with-automated-assembly-line/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:32:15 +0000 Associate Authors http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=4625 Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana supports a wonderful initiative called the BackSacks program, which provides six weekend meals to children from low-income families. In an effort to expand that program to 21 Indiana counties--an additional 7,000 BackSacks every weekend--Gleaners turned to Bastian to design and fabricate a custom assembly line to automate its previously slow, manual process. Read More >>]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/30/gleaners-food-bank-set-to-feed-more-indiana-children-with-automated-assembly-line/feed/ 0 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/08/material-handling-trends-and-technologies-improving-supply-chain/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/08/material-handling-trends-and-technologies-improving-supply-chain/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:54:05 +0000 Stuart Schneider http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=4553 Today's economic climate has put enormous pressure on companies to obtain quicker returns on their investments, so as manufacturers research and develop new material handling equipment, this issue is becoming increasingly important. Customers want solutions that offer not only a strong return on investment but do so faster than ever before. The material handling industry is responding with new equipment, technology, and systems that enable complete supply chain visibility, thus allowing customers to see how their investments are impacting their overall operation. The following are just a few of the trends and technologies helping to make this possible. Read More >>]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/08/material-handling-trends-and-technologies-improving-supply-chain/feed/ 0 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/01/advancement-of-the-automated-guided-vehicle-agv/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/01/advancement-of-the-automated-guided-vehicle-agv/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:56:36 +0000 Associate Authors http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=4527 When you think about an Automated Guided Vehicle -- what typically comes to mind? For many, it is the simple machine used to do little more than move a part or material from one defined location to the next. While AGVs are most well-known for their use in distribution and manufacturing environments, application of the Automated Guided Vehicle has broadened during recent years to include advanced robotics technology that is no longer restricted to the industrial environment. Read More >>]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/01/advancement-of-the-automated-guided-vehicle-agv/feed/ 0 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/08/25/3-steps-to-choosing-material-handling-technologies-that-last/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/08/25/3-steps-to-choosing-material-handling-technologies-that-last/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:54:25 +0000 Peter Zurowski http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=4491 3G, 3GLTE®, 4G...ugh!!! Nowadays, it seems as though anytime you turn on the television a newer version of a product you've JUST purchased has come out. Keeping up with the latest and greatest technologies is nothing if not frustrating. To keep up with the rapid pace in which gadgets, software, and computer technologies advance, you'd have to scrap your equipment every 18 months! So the question becomes, how do you provide your company with equipment that is scalable but won't be out grown in the next few years? Whether it's a new tablet PC, smart phone, or state-of-the-art conveyor system, there are several factors that one should consider when looking into a new technology. Read More >>]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/08/25/3-steps-to-choosing-material-handling-technologies-that-last/feed/ 2 http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/28/warehouse-safety-profile-southern-wine-and-spirits-3/ http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/28/warehouse-safety-profile-southern-wine-and-spirits-3/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:02:11 +0000 Associate Authors http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/?p=4143 Recently our team visited the Southern Wine and Spirits distribution center near Indianapolis, Ind, to see how they handle safety in their facility. As you can imagine, with the fragile nature of their products, accidents generally lead to product destruction. Combine that with the fact that many of their products cost much more per gallon then the $4.50 gasoline you're currently putting in your car, and you can easily see why safety is critical here. Every bottle broken or box dropped directly eats away at their bottom line. The following is list of just some of the safety solutions Southern Wine and Spirits uses to protect their workers and products... Read More >>]]> http://www.bastiansolutions.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/28/warehouse-safety-profile-southern-wine-and-spirits-3/feed/ 5