As October comes to a close so does the annual IFDA (International Foodservice Distributors Association) Conference. This past week, we have been in San Antonio networking with folks in the foodservice industry in order to help them find ways to optimize their operation.
Truck drivers play a key role in the logistics side of our business. Without them, we would have no way to get shipments from Point A to Point B. Because of this, we were more than ecstatic to celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week from September 9th through the 15th.
Logistics is an integral part of the material handling industry, nobody knows that better than our Logistics Manager, Brenda Dudley.
“For material handling and specifically what we do at Storage Solutions, service needs are indicative of “just in time” performance. With build schedules, crews on site and customer timelines, we can’t deliver too early or too late but within a window delivery plan. We depend and rely on the abilities of the drivers to honor our own commitments to our customers. Let’s not forget that drivers on-site at a customer’s facility are an extension of who and what we are as a company. They represent us while handling our shipments and can make or break customer relationships. It’s easy to overlook the hard work and effort most drivers put forth and we tend to think that they need business to keep the wheels turning, when in fact, we need them just as much.”
We send and receive around fifteen shipments every day, going to and coming from all over the continental United States. These drivers put in long, grueling hours every day to ensure shipments arrive on time. That often means time away from family and friends, along with the comfort of home.
This is why we dedicate this week to them. So if you see any truck drivers, be sure to thank them for their hard work! It certainly doesn’t go unnoticed here at Storage Solutions.
Want to learn more about our logistic capabilities? Visit our warehouse services page to inquire about all of our logistics services.
While we are obviously happy with what we have done in the past, we are most excited about where we are headed in the future! Putting forth a five-year plan, we continue to expand and bring in more resources for you. With our close-knit group of partners, we can offer you the best quality products at the right price for your budget.
As our 40th-anniversary celebration comes to a close, we also end our celebration of the past and look toward the future. While we have grown into a nation-wide company, we still keep our core values close to our heart and strive to give you the best service we can. Our biggest goal is to have all the resources to be the best partner for you. Stay tuned, because our best is yet to come!
If you want to learn more about how we can help you, fill out our contact form here or call us at 866-474-2001 and we will reach out as soon as possible!
Everyone here at Storage Solutions would like to wish you a Happy Independence Day! Whether you are having a cookout, traveling, or watching late night fireworks at the local parade, we hope you take a second to stop and remember what this holiday is all about.
Today, we remember the brave men and women and what they went through over 240 years ago. America declared independence from England in 1776, and without those that were courageous and patriotic, we would not be where we are today without them. We also want to recognize those that show the same courage and patriotism for our freedom today. Thank you to the soldiers that have fought, and currently fight, for our country. If it weren’t for our military, we would not be able to celebrate being a free country.
In recognition of the holiday, Storage Solutions will be closed Wednesday, July 4th and will reopen Thursday, July 5th. Feel free to contact us and we will get back to you when we return!
We hope you are able to relax and enjoy this day to celebrate our country’s freedom!
It’s almost that time of year again! From June 25-27, Global Cold Chain Expo is in Chicago. It will take place at the McCormick Place, and Storage Solutions will be attending!
The Global Cold Chain Expo (GCCE) is the only event where businesses gather to find solutions and share best practices for managing the complexities of the perishable supply chain. According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, the companies that attend the event gain a high level of brand recognition and targeted business development opportunities in front of key buying audiences.
We will have three employees at the show (Brian Blanner, Aaron Resiak, and Ian Mangan) so be sure to stop by and say hello!
Storage Solutions representatives will be on site for the entire show; Monday (6/25) through Wednesday (6/27). So make sure to visit us at Booth #3520!
Let us know if you’ll be attending GCCE or the other trade shows we will be at here!
Safety is a critical part of any facility and some consider it one of the most important aspects that a company should focus on. June is National Safety Month, and to recognize it, we created a summary of warehouse safety tips that no facility should be without.
Want to learn more about our safety tips? Click here to download our full warehouse safety checklist!
Employees are the greatest asset to any facility, in order to protect that asset, it is imperative to abide by safety protocol. Employees should fully understand dress code and, if not, ask their manager to be clear.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be readily available to the worker, depending on the type of work being done. Safety glasses will protect workers from anything in the air that could potentially harm their eyes. Hardhats are another PPE that are typically worn when there is a risk of debris falling from above, or when working at elevated levels. Closed-toed shoes are almost always a must to be worn so that feet are fully protected. Hardhats, safety vests and safety glasses are just a few PPE’s in the workplace that helps to protect an employee from danger.
Safe material handling keeps a warehouse running smoothly. You can protect your material with the right safety equipment, (end of aisle guards, guardrail, column protectors, etc.) and by establishing material handling best practices.
It is important to ensure that all employees are properly trained on stacking material on high shelves, platforms or in high stacks. Have them keep heavy objects at the bottom and stacked neatly so items do not shift. Not stacking material correctly may heighten the risk of an accident to occur.
Before every shift, make sure that your forklifts are not only operational, but shielded to keep the driver out of harm’s way from falling material. Operators should also be conscious of their own safety as well as others by making sure to always wear a seat belt, testing the warning systems, keeping a safe distance from other operators and honking when making a turn or approaching an opening.
In honor of National Safety Month, we are kicking off June by sharing some valuable information on CVSA International Roadcheck! Some people may wonder why exactly Roadcheck is important to us in this industry. What you may not know is that Storage Solutions has our very own equipment delivery division! Getting materials to our customers on time, and in the safest way possible, is a very important part of what we do!
International Roadcheck is an annual event sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, or CVSA. This year, the event will take place June 5 through June 7. During the three day event, there will be a significant increase in the number of vehicle inspections taking place throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The emphasis of these inspections will be on a very important topic, hours of service compliance.
In addition to the focus on hours of service, inspectors will also be looking at things such as brake systems, cargo securement, lighting devices, tires and more. For a full list of details, you can view the press release available on the CVSA website. You can also view last year’s results here to get a better sense of what inspectors are looking for.
As always, safety is a top priority for us in this industry! We look forward to bringing you safety tips and information all month long.
Between family BBQ’s, pools opening, and days spent boating, many think of Memorial Day as the unofficial start to summer. For Hoosiers and race fans all over the world it means one thing, The Indianapolis 500.
This year marks the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500. The race will take place on Sunday, May 27 with festivities starting at 8 am. Kelly Clarkson will sing the National Anthem, then the greatest feeling for race fans around the nation begins and the excitement builds. A voice echoes through the track, “Drivers Start Your Engines”.
Following the engine starting, Indiana Pacers’ very own star, Victor Oladipo, will lead the drivers in the pace car. You can find the Indianapolis 500 event schedule here.
More importantly, we use this weekend to remember and honor fallen soldiers, as well as soldiers at home and abroad.
In recognition of the holiday, our offices will be closed Monday, May 28. We will reopen again Tuesday, May 29 to help with all your summer warehouse needs.
Whether you are at home enjoying the company of your family or attending the Greatest spectacle in racing, all of us at Storage Solutions hope you have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend!
With a rapidly changing industry, Storage Solutions wants to make sure that we are always up-to-date with the latest trends and business opportunities ahead of us. Our Vice President of Operations, Nathan Storey, saw an opportunity that would help Storage Solutions meet and exceed this goal, which led him to attend the 63rd Annual MHEDA Convention.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but for me, October means a lot of things. It’s the not-so-official start to my FAVORITE season (one that is entirely too short if you ask me). It’s a month full of football and bonfires, boldly colored leaves, pumpkins, apple picking and Halloween. But October is also a month that is largely focused around the color pink.
Our teams sport the color on jerseys, our friends participate in walks, runs and fundraisers on weekends. All in all, October is a month that revolves around PINK and raising awareness about a disease that affects so many women each year. October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
It’s hard to believe we’ve already made our way back around the sun to face another October. Sometime in the last 365 days, more than 40,000 women in the United States lost their battle to breast cancer. Breast cancer affects ALL kinds of women. These women are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends… They are the people we love and the ones we don’t want to lose. And this year, there are countless other women gearing up for another fight. For the chance to see another October, another gorgeous change of seasons.
In this business, we don’t see a lot of pink. It’s not exactly a “good look” for steel, even if it is one of my favorite colors. But in this day and age, the number of people in our lives who have been affected by cancer is likely to be pretty high. Personally, my number is well on its way to 20 and that’s without even having to think about it too long.
So in the midst of everything this season has to offer, at some point, take a moment to think about the people you know who have been affected by this disease. Educate yourselves. Spread Awareness. Wear pink… even if it isn’t your thing. Let’s be honest… Honoring all of the people lost, suffering and currently fighting this disease is a good look for anyone. Every Wednesday, this month, the Storage Solutions team will be wearing pink to show our support.
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To donate to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fund through the American Cancer Society, click here.
