As the U.S. labor shortage and consumers’ insatiable desire to buy online continue, more companies are embracing automation equipment and systems to optimize operations, eliminate wasteful steps and allocate the resources they have correctly.
At Carolina Handling, our focus is helping customers optimize their operations and create higher levels of service for their end users. Taking a consultative approach, we work with companies on how to maximize operational capabilities. And being vendor agnostic, we can identify the best equipment for addressing individual or unique challenges.
Why automate?
The inability to find workers for a facility with mostly manual processes is perhaps the best case for automation. Automating manual, repetitive tasks can help increase efficiency by saving time and reducing errors. And it can improve safety and employee satisfaction in your workplace.
The primary reasons for automation include:
- Improve processes and labor efficiency
- Improve ergonomics and employee health
- Improve employee retention
- Reduce operational expenses
- Lower order fulfillment time
- Reduce human error
Steps to automate
At Carolina Handling, the process to automate begins with data collection and discovery. Before recommending solutions, it’s important to have an in-depth understanding of the processes, workflows and challenges within a facility.
During the discovery phase, we want to see how products move and flow through the warehouse, from receiving to shipping. We explore current processes and the type of equipment presently in use. In essence, this phase is an investigation that seeks to uncover the root cause of operational disruptions or slowdowns.
One size does not fit all
As a systems integrator, Carolina Handling has access to a wide range of automated solutions. With vastly different technologies available to accomplish the same end, our Intralogistics Solutions Group makes recommendations based on a customer’s budget, ability to integrate with existing warehouse systems, scalability and many other factors.
Our automation technology focuses on three primary areas:
- Material Handling and Product Movement
- Storage and Retrieval
- End of Line/Packaging
Material Handling and Product Movement
Automated solutions for moving products through the warehouse include conveyance, sortation, automated robotics and trailer loading and unloading. The primary applications and benefits for each are:
Conveyor
Applications
- Tote, carton and bag movement
- Moving products through other automated processes
- Workstations with ergonomic transportation
Benefits
- Reduces manual movement
- Ergonomic tote and carton transitions
- Automates vertical transition of product
Sortation
Applications
- Sorting to inbound or outbound packages
- Cross-deck sorting and staging
- Assembly replenishment
Benefits
- Removes manual sorting process, which leads to labor savings
- Automated decision making, reducing occurrences of human error
Robotics
Applications
- Pallet packing and put-away
- Order picking
- Assembly and manufacturing
Benefits
- Reduced manual labor for repetitive activities
- Optimized workflows
Loading and Unloading
Applications
- Full or partial trailer loading and unloading
Benefits
- Decreased lifting and bending over
- Improve efficiency in operation
- Saves money in trailer loading and labor costs
Storage and Retrieval Systems
From AS/RS racking to vertical lift modules, automated storage and retrieval systems can save valuable space in a warehouse and significantly reduce pick times and accuracy. The applications and benefits of these systems are:
AS/RS
Applications
- Stationary piece picking and order assembly
- Very high SKU count and/or inventory volume
Benefits
- High storage density
- High selectivity
- Capable of storing full pallets or mini loading
- Minimal labor to move product in and out of system
- Integrates with other automated systems such as mobile robots and conveyor
Storage and Retrieval Picking Solutions
Applications
- Pick modules
- Pick-to-light
- Pick-to-voice
Benefits
- Improved picking accuracy
- Improved employee efficiency
- Ability to integrate PTL/PTV with pick module or mobile robots
End Of Line/Packaging
End-of-line solutions can significantly improve production speeds by automating very manual processes such as case packing, wrapping and palletizing. The applications and benefits of automated solutions for these steps are:
Applications
- Case erectors
- Case sealers
Benefits
- Reduced manual labor and repetitive tasks
- Improved operation efficiency
- Integration with conveyor or other processes
End Of Line/Packaging – Pallet Wrapping
Applications
- Orbital wrappers
- Turntable wrappers
Benefits
- Reduced pallet touches
- Minimized operator intervention
- Integration with conveyor or other processes
End Of Line/Packaging – Labeling and Scanning
Applications
- Print-and-apply label application
- Inline scanners and cameras
Benefits
- Reduced manual touches
- Reduced operator errors
- Higher processing rates and efficiencies
Carolina Handling continues its evolution from a forklift-only provider to an end-to-end intralogistics solutions company offering a broad range of consulting, connected technologies, automation systems and service to support the growing and changing material handling needs in warehouses and distribution centers. Along with forklifts and a full range of warehouse equipment, the company offers design, engineering and implementation services to help customers achieve more space, speed, safety and efficiency with integrated automation technologies.
Go HERE to view our interactive website featuring Carolina Handling’s comprehensive material handling capabilities for warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities.
