Corporate News
In a previous post, we explored why greater connectivity in the warehouse was important. Now we’ll look at how to get started on your journey to a connected facility.
Crown experts have led and participated in numerous technology implementations to promote greater connectivity that includes the forklift. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and the issues and challenges involved. We understand the challenges that may cause implementations to falter or encounter roadblocks.
Based on that experience and insight, we recommend companies take a phased approach to implementation; one that is based on clear, strategic business objectives and builds on each accomplishment to get to the next objective. read more »»
How forklift operators interact with their equipment affects overall warehouse productivity and safety. While many manufacturers tout their designs as ergonomic, human factors is often only given attention during the evaluation stage of product development. To be truly human-centered, operator interests and needs should be defined at conception and revisited throughout the entire product development process.
Integrating a human factors & ergonomics (HF&E) professional into product development reinforces human-centered design thinking. Rather than relying on consultants to evaluate user interaction at the end of the design cycle, integrated HF&E practitioners help ensure that operators are kept in mind throughout the process.
Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, has introduced the D4 Armrest as an option for its Crown C-5 Series, Crown FC Series and Crown SC Series sit-down counterbalance forklifts. It is ergonomically designed to help improve operator experience and comfort, ultimately helping boost productivity throughout the entire operation. The armrest recently captured a GOOD DESIGNÒ Award, further strengthening Crown’s international recognition for excellence in industrial design. read more »»
Warehouse managers everywhere are under pressure. Even cold storage operations are feeling the heat. Managers are being challenged to fit more SKUs into existing space, turn their inventory faster and squeeze more productivity out of their existing assets. All the while, warehouse operations must be prepared for potential business disruptions caused by both internal and external forces and deal with changing consumer expectations for more variety and immediate availability in their grocery options.
How can managers of refrigerated and frozen food warehouses keep up with day-to-day business, address these growing challenges and avoid being left out in the cold? One solution is to use new forklift technology that helps deal with common issues, such as increasing energy costs and harsh operating conditions, that are encountered in low-temperature warehouse environments.
The supply chain and warehouse are overflowing with data; not all of it on product movement. Warehouse and forklift connectivity is generating data on worker performance, forklift utilisation and the health and status of equipment. Companies are investing to collect and analyse data to increase productivity, lower costs and enhance safety.
One area where greater connectivity delivers value is in forklift fleet service and maintenance. Connected service technicians, armed with new technology, are making service calls smarter and more proactive. Where data on forklift performance and operation is available, supply chain managers can expect service techs to arrive on-site understanding the maintenance issue and having the right part to make the repair.
Connected tools, such as mobile tablets or even augmented reality, can help walk the technician through the repair. Data entered from the service call is then uploaded to the service cloud, giving fleet managers visibility to the maintenance issue and repair to strengthen the service data pool. read more »»
Despite warehouse technology advances, such as pick-to-voice systems, the low-level order picking process is still noticeably inefficient. It can take as many as nine discrete actions from when an operator places one case on a pallet to when they place the next case on the pallet. It remains one of the most resource-intensive processes in the warehouse and thus a major target for automation. read more »»
Companies expand a significant amount of effort and resources to bring predictability to their supply chains. The ability to foresee and quickly respond to potential unexpected downtime, shifting market conditions and changing consumer demand is an invaluable asset in helping companies avoid or minimise supply chain disruptions.
Unfortunately, despite the best efforts and incremental successes, the supply chain can still be unpredictable, especially in the most challenging times. For instance, as any supply chain or fleet manager knows, right now is one of the most challenging times we have faced in a generation. read more »»
When it comes to the performance of your supply chain, the health of your forklifts is vital. An unhealthy fleet can lead to lower productivity, considerable inefficiencies, higher service and maintenance costs, and unsafe working conditions. read more »»
During this critical time, it is vitally important that supply chains have the necessary equipment and resources to continue to function. Crown is committed to providing our full support to help get essential supplies to where they’re needed most—to hospitals, to grocery stores and to the communities at large in which we, our customers and our families work and live.
read more »»
An agent for a well-regarded express freight company on the New South Wales mid-north coast is benefitting from rolling improvements to Crown Equipment’s internal combustion forklifts.
David and Lara Berry, who operate their business up to seven days per week performing over 600 deliveries per day, have recently added a Crown C-5 Series internal combustion forklift to their company’s fleet.