If you are managing a large-scale business, chances are you are well acquainted with the manufacturing and distribution process. However, there are some business-owners who may not fully understand what all of that entails. Operating a warehouse distribution center is an entirely different operation altogether, separate from the front end of any business.
While you’re struggling to out-shine your competitors making sure your storefront, whether it’s brick and mortar, or virtual—possibly both, is attracting customers, many don’t consider what the next steps are if their business actually takes off, meaning generate a high amount of sales. If your store is generating a lot of sales for a product you’re selling, that means that you are obligated to fulfill each and every order in a timely manner, less you get disgruntled customers who began to request a refund. Then you’ll need manpower just to handle that disaster adding more money to your expenses, and diverting your attention to the real problem at hand—creating a solution for your warehouse operations.
The bottom line is that if the back end of your business operations don’t run as smooth as the front end, you’re going to lose money. The best way to ensuring that the back end of your business operations is running appropriately is to make sure that your warehouse has the proper tools needed to make it run efficiently.
The most common types of material-handling equipment used in the warehousing industry run under these four categories:
- Transport Equipment – Transport equipment is needed to move merchandise from one location to the next. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a long distance and because of this, most people may not want to invest in the proper equipment to make this task easier, even if it is light enough in weight to move on your own. This is the mistake that most warehouse managers make, thinking that a piece of transport equipment isn’t needed if a person can haul it him or herself.
- Positioning Equipment – The same can be said about positioning equipment. Positioning equipment is needed when you need to maneuver a piece of handling equipment in the same location. For instance, if you need to extract something from a large drum, chances are you might be able to tilt it over yourself and pour it out. But even if you can, how often will you have to do that during and 8-hour workday? These are the types of things you need to consider when running a warehouse operation.
- Loading Equipment – Whether the load is too big or too many, you need to have some type of loading equipment available to your warehouse workers so they’re not straining their bodies and increasing the risk of being hurt. There’s the added bonus of ensuring that your materials are handled properly too. Loading equipment comes in a variety of options. What you actually need is based on the type of business you’re operating. Here’s the type of loading equipment you might need:
- Pallets
- Skids
- Bins
- Baskets
- Cartons
- Bags
- Crates
- Storage Equipment – Most warehouses have plenty of vertical space and it’s to your advantage to use every inch of it. Shelving plays a significant role in getting the most square footage out of your warehouse for storage purposes. This is especially crucial when you’re managing a warehouse operation where employees need constant access to the goods that are being stored.
Douglas Equipment: A Material-Handling Distributor With Experience
This might be hard to believe, but for approximately 93 years, Douglas Equipment has been specializing in material-handling equipment. You can say we’ve been around since the cart and buggy! Throughout the years, we have been successfully working toward perfecting material-handling equipment to improve the industrial work that smart workers like yourself have put forth.
We understand that in order to run a successful business, you’re going to need help. And that help is going to involving having the right kind of tools for the job. Equipping your warehouse operations with the right handling tools will not only make your business run more efficiently, but quicker too. Thus, making you more money and having a staff of happy employees.
Because of our credible and reliable name, Douglas Equipment has built trustworthy relationships with companies across the nation that specialize in their own type of material-handling equipment.
Here is a small list of Douglas Equipment affiliates:
- Morse – With Morse, you’ll find that this company specializes in drum-handling equipment.
- New Clamp+Go Dolly Handle – This tool allows you to easily maneuver your drum anywhere in the warehouse. This cylinder dolly is sized to tightly secure a dolly in and comes with a detachable handle to push and pull to your destination.
- MORStakTM Drum Rackers –Great for storage solutions. This racker has the capacity to hold approximately 800 lbs. and can store your drums up to 102” high.
- Wesco – While you can certainly get a great selection of drum-handling and lift equipment from Wesco, you’ll also have a wide selection of hand trucks, pallet jacks, platform trucks, as well as dock and shipping equipment.
- Cobra Sr. Convertible Truck – You may have seen some of the big express delivery businesses equip their workers with the Cobra Sr. Convertible Hand Truck. This piece of equipment measures at approximately 22” in width and 55” in height. Its aluminum frame is light enough to carry, yet durable enough to handle heavy loads. Unloaded, it weighs about 44.5 lbs.
What Else Does Douglas Equipment Offer?
Other notable material-handling distributors and manufacturing companies include B & P Manufacturing, Harper Hand Trucks, Little Giant, and more. Visit Douglas Equipment’s website to determine what kind of material-handling equipment will make your warehouse operations run quicker and more efficient. You can also call our customer service department to guide you through all of the options.
Call us toll-free at 1-800-451-0030. If you live in the South Florida region, call us locally at 305-888-3700. You can also request a quote online.
