WHEN LESS IS MORE: 

Does Mechanization or Automation always fit?

During a recent sales call, a customer asked me a question; "Is automation always the right solution to be more efficient?"  What a great question.  I actually had to pause a minute and think about the answer.  Imagine that, a salesman being quiet for a moment!

After giving it some thought, I shared with my customer that yes, there are times when automation, or even mechanization, do not make an operation more efficient and may even hinder the operation.  I can think of one instance where we recommended that a customer remove a conveyor line that he had in his warehouse.  The volume of business that was being done and lack of flexibility that the conveyor imposed actually was not helping this operation.

The lesson I learned from this question was that there is a "band width" of application for all tools and technology.  If the application doesn't fit into the "band width" for that business, look for the solution that does fit.  As professionals, we are relied on to provide solutions that help our clients.  Being able to assess a business challenge and offer pragmatic, realistic solutions to those challenges separates the pro from the amateur.

As I reflect back on that call, it makes sense that there are very successful equipment manufacturers who make products that would be considered "low tech".  These companies are successful because there is an application and need for their solutions.  The very good ones even develop "low tech" custom solutions that can be very profitable for the end user by solving unique challenges with creative solutions.

Contact ELITE Supply Chain Solutions to help with your Material Handling Challenges

440.268.8555

www.elitescs.net

SMALL PARTS STORAGE - Where do you put all those parts?

Today's consumer wants just the right size, color and style for the right season!  This is not a new phenomenon but an on-going challenge.   How do you store all those parts and pick, pack and ship them efficiently?  What do you do when your procurement dictates large quantities, but your demand doesn't match?  How do you make use of the height in your building without compromising safety or efficiency?  All of these questions point to answers that may be very different from your large aisle, pallet rack storage system that was put in when the business first started up.

The science of Material Storage tells us how much cube we have of an item and what type of storage equipment to put the item in.  The ART of Material Storage allows us to design a storage and retrieval system that supports our customer demand and contributes operating savings to the bottom line.  It is fairly simple to look at HOW MUCH of a product you need to store and find a storage system that will support that volume.  The real trick comes in designing a system that optimizes every aspect of receiving, storing, picking, packing and shipping that item - then multiply that by the number of items your business supports!

Gains in efficiency of receiving and put-away may compromise the labor required to pick, pack and ship an item.  When does the company make a profit - when inventory comes in the door or when orders ship out?  More focus should be placed on how to efficiently move orders out the door than how to store the sheer cube of an item.  Although we don't necessarily want to touch an item more than we have to, the cost of a movement of bulk to a pick location may be a fraction of the efficiency gained in picking the item from a forward pick location.

ELITE Supply Chain Solutions helps clients determine the best way to store and move inventory through their supply chain.  We develop the solutions to support your business and implement our designs to provide you with an efficient, profitable supply chain operation.  Call ELITE Supply Chain Solutions to help you solve your Supply Chain challenges!  440-268-8555  www.elitescs.net

ADDING STAFF BUT HAVE NO WHERE TO PUT THEM?  Modular Office Systems and Pre-Fabricated Buildings may be the answer.  

Modular Office Systems offer a lower-cost alternative to stud-and-drywall construction and can be installed and operating with little disruption to your operations.  In addition, Modular Office Systems come with all of the utilities and amenities ready to go in a "plug and play" concept. 

These office systems can be single-floor, multi-level and even divided into an office system.  Typical uses are found in shipping and receiving departments, production cells, in-plant processing areas and even break-room, locker room and rest room facilities.  Modular Offices can be configured for Clean Rooms or Environmental Rooms.  Systems can be pre-engineered or custom designed to meet your exact specifications to house people, equipment or simply control an environment.

Visit www.starrco.com for ideas on how to construct your Modular Office System.  Contact ELITE Supply Chain Solutions today www.elitescs.net to start planning for your facility.