All warehouses are the same – but each warehouse is unique.
What we mean by this general statement is that if you need to purchase material handling equipment, chances are that no matter what type of business you operate, you’ll have the same requirements as other businesses when it comes to equipping your warehouse. You’ll need to move stock to a receiving area, then into the warehouse; store the stock for a period of time (perhaps processing it in some way, before or after storage); then move it to a shipping area, and send it on its way.
You will have unique material handling requirements, though, depending upon your specific business. Are your materials heavy, or light? Are they large, bulky, and awkward to handle, or compact and easily stacked? Can a worker move your stock simply by picking it up and carrying it, or will you need a powered lift device to move things around?
At Douglas Equipment, we specialize in providing material handling equipment to warehouse operators. We understand the general needs that every warehouse operation entails, and over the decades that we have been in business, we’ve come up with specific solutions for the unique demands of a wide variety of customers.
We’re located in Miami, Florida, and if your warehouse is anywhere in South Florida, please feel free to visit our showroom. Our experts in our customer service department will be happy to discuss your material handling needs, demonstrate the products we carry, and help you come up with the perfect solution for your unique warehouse.
Even if you are located elsewhere, contact us for your material handling needs. We ship anywhere in North America. We also have access to the airports and harbors of the Miami area, and frequently ship material handling products around the world.
Let’s Solve Some Problems!
Going back to the statement, “All warehouses are the same,” let’s consider – in the most general of terms – two challenges every warehouse operator must solve:
- Moving material horizontally
- Lifting material vertically
We’ll also look at the second half of the statement: “Each warehouse is unique,” and look at a few challenges faced at specific warehouses, such as:
- Customizing the warehouse
- Shipping dock requirements
For each of these challenges, we’ll take a brief look at some of the solutions available from Douglas Equipment.
Moving Material Horizontally
The type of material to be moved will often determine what piece of equipment you choose to transport your load.
- Two-Wheeled Hand Truck – For loads that are on the floor, a two wheeled hand truck (also known as a two-wheeled dolly) is often the simplest and best choice. Slide the truck’s nose plate under the load, tilt the handle from the vertical position, and wheel the load away.
- Four-Wheeled Dolly – For loads that are bulky or large, a dolly is often a good choice. A dolly is a hand truck with four wheels, a flat platform and no handles. The load is lifted onto the platform. To move it, you push against the load, and wheel it away.
- Transport Cart – For loads that are fragile, or extremely long, a transport cart can be an excellent solution. It has handles you can push against. Long objects – lumber, for example – if properly balanced, can extend beyond the ends or sides of the cart. Transport carts are highly maneuverable, and work well in tight spaces.
- Pallet Truck – If your load is stacked on a pallet, a pallet truck (also known as a pallet jack) might be the best solution. It has two forks that slide under the pallet. You raise the forks to lift the load a few inches off the ground, and then wheel it away
Hand trucks, dollies, carts and pallet trucks – Douglas Equipment carries many different models from several manufacturers.
Moving Material Vertically
You’ve moved the load from the receiving dock to its storage location. The next problem to solve is raising loads up off the ground to lift it onto a shelf or stack it.
- Powered Pallet Truck – For loads on pallets, powered pallet trucks are available with extended vertical reach. The powered truck will lift the load for you, and allow you to slide the pallet onto storage shelves.
- Stackers – To keep your warehouse floor organized, a stacker might be a good choice. Stackers come in many different styles. They can be used for loads on pallets, or to directly grip the object, lift it, and stack it
- Chain Hoists and Trollies – For lifting heavy loads and moving them from one point to another, chain hoists and trollies can get the job done smoothly and safely.
- Lift Tables – To raise a load up to a convenient height, and then roll it from one location to another, consider a lift table. These can be manual or powered; some use a scissor lift mechanism.
We’ll help you identify the best solution for lifting your loads, and choose from the manufacturers whose product lines we carry.
Customizing the Warehouse
If you need to tailor dock and shipping equipment for your needs, or modify your space, we can help there, too.
- Dock and Shipping Equipment – We can provide strapping systems, wire shelving for storing shipping supplies, pallet pullers and stabilizing jacks – even the strip doors that separate the indoors from the outdoors, and allow you to keep your air temperature right where you want it.
- Landings, Ramps, Stairways and Ladders – Do you need to move loads from one level to another? We have numerous solutions to help you customize your warehouse space.
Your warehouse is unique. We have the material handling equipment to help you make the best use of your space.
Call Douglas Equipment for Your General – and Unique – Requirements!
At Douglas Equipment, we have thousands of items for your warehouse. Talk to our customer service experts and find out which ones are right for you. We can be reached at 800-451-0030. In the Miami area, you can call 305-888-3700. We can also be contacted online where we’ll follow up via email shortly. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
