Tag Archive for: material handling

Buy Used Warehouse Equipment SSI Warehouse

pallet rackAs the industry continues to change rapidly in response to increasing delivery expectations as a result of e-commerce, warehouses, distribution centers, and fulfillment centers are looking for ways to increase profitability and productivity within their facilities. But along with the potential for industry growth comes a rise in steel prices, which inevitably have a profound effect on the costs of new warehouse material.

There is a hesitancy among some organizations when it comes to the idea of incorporating used materials into their warehouse solutions. Some used equipment suppliers will store used materials outdoors, where beams and uprights are exposed to the elements and can often develop rust. The great thing about Storage Solutions is that we store all of our materials (new AND used) inside our 330,000 square feet warehouse to ensure that everything we sell has maintained structural integrity.

Buying used warehouse equipment can have many benefits, most notably:

  1. Cost-Effectiveness: With steel prices on the rise and no stalemate in sight, purchasing completely new materials can put a damper on project budgets. When you purchase pre-owned pallet racks, you can get more bang for your buck without having to worry about jeopardizing the integrity of your operation.
  2. Avoid Lead Times: When you purchase new materials, there is almost always a lead time of 4-8 weeks before manufacturers can produce and ship their product. Whether you’re under a time crunch or bound by your budget, purchasing used equipment is the perfect solution.

While we know that used materials are never quite as good as new ones, our goal is to make sure that your used pallet rack beams and used pallet rack uprights are of comparable quality to what you would purchase new.

If you’re looking to save this spring, whether it’s on a warehouse consolidation, purchase of new warehouse equipment, or re-configuring a current operation, Storage Solutions has a solution for you. Contact our sales representatives at 866.474.2001–they’re ready and willing to get you what you need.

Hurricane Florence North Carolina

One thing we pride ourselves on is being able to plan and control every detail when it comes to our projects. However, one thing we sometimes can’t control is mother nature. In this Roxboro, North Carolina project we had to adjust things for that exact reason.

This customer was looking to expand their operation and add a second plant with a single-source solution provider. We were confident we could do exactly that, and had a plan laid out to execute their expansion. What we didn’t plan on was the arrival of Hurricane Florence in the area.

Project Details

The plan was to install the project in two phases, per the needs of the customer. Phase one, which included a main warehouse design, was scheduled to be installed in late 2018. We had planned to have a team onsite leading up to that installation, but with severe weather in the area plans obviously had to change. As a result, this required us to do the bulk of the project consulting off-site. In addition, shipping and other aspects were affected as well. We knew that constant and clear communication would be a huge part of keeping this project on track. Our project management team adjusted to the situation by scheduling extra touch points to keep the customer updated.

Despite multiple obstacles that could have set this project up for failure, our turnkey solutions team delivered. We were able to keep the project on track with our original deadline while keeping the customer happy as well. We are currently wrapping up phase two of the installation, which includes a high density selective racking solution for up to 3100 pallet locations. This is just one of many examples where our team does what it takes to make sure your project is successful.

Want to learn more about past projects we have completed? Check out other case studies from a variety of project types across several industries. Let Storage Solutions be your simple, smart and strategic partner for any of your upcoming project needs!

ProMat 2019

We had a great time in Chicago last week for ProMat 2019! It’s always a great start to trade show season when we can bring back so much information from a large show like this.

What is ProMat?

ProMat is one of the largest tradeshows in the material handling industry. This gives us the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other industry leaders to enhance how we do business with you. Our main goal is to bring back information and ideas that help us serve you better.

We normally send 10 to 20 employees to ProMat, and this year was no exception. While we are always excited to send employees that have attended every year, like Tim Fonderoli, we are also happy to hear about the experiences of first-timers like our Inside Sales Manager, Zach Cole.

“The first thing that struck me was purely the size of the trade show and the number of vendors/booths there were. I enjoyed walking around in search of products/systems I hadn’t seen before or didn’t know exactly how it applied to our industry, which lead to some interesting conversations and new contacts. Overall – great experience and exposure to the larger scale picture of our industry.”

We had a great time at the show and can’t wait for MODEX next year, and hope to see you there!

Did you miss us at ProMat, or do you just want to see the other tradeshows we’ll be at this year? View all the shows that we will be attending here.

ProMat 2019

We are close to the beginning of ProMat in the Windy City! The show starts Monday, April 8th and will run through Thursday, the 11th at the McCormick Place in Chicago, and Storage Solutions will be there!

What is ProMat?

This trade show is the hub of the manufacturing and supply chain industry. With so many attendees showing off their newest ideas and services, ProMat is the place to be when it comes to being in the know. You can learn more about the show on their website here.

What does ProMat attendance mean for Storage Solutions? We have been attending this tradeshow for as long as its existence, nearly 20 years. One of our employees, Tim Fonderoli, will be going to his 17th show! Every year, our employees share and bring back great ideas and innovative practices to help service our customers better.

Nick Nigro, one of our National Account Managers, will be a first-time attendee and is excited to experience the show.

“This is a great opportunity to meet and build relationships with people in all categories of the material handling and logistics industry. I am pretty excited about that!

Storage Solutions representatives will be in Chicago for the entirety of the show (April 8-11), so make sure you say hello! Will you be at ProMat? If so, let us know and see all the other trade shows we will be attending in 2019 here!

Employee of the Year: Kenny
Employee of the Year: Kenny

Congratulations!

On behalf of Storage Solutions, we are excited to announce Kenny Casey as the 2018 Employee of the Year!

Kenny is the Warehouse Manager here at Storage Solutions. Within this position, he is responsible for overseeing the operation of our warehouse. This includes everything from being responsible for determining product handling and storage requirements, developing, implementing and evaluating policies and procedures, to inventory management. Kenny has been with the company for 15 years and was recognized for his creative problem-solving abilities. In his free time, you will find him either singing karaoke or cruising around town on his Harley.

All of us at Storage Solutions would like to thank Kenny for his hard work and dedication over the years. We look forward to many more successful years with him as a part of our team!

Thoughts from the office:

“Kenny lights up a room, is honestly funny, and would give the shirt off his back to help you when in need.  He works very hard and owns his work.  He is always willing to work with you to troubleshoot issues that involve his team & offer advice.  It’s apparent that he loves this company, and appreciates my sales role, even when I sometimes make his day more difficult.  In the end, he is always willing to help, and knows that the team effort is what drives our success.”

“Kenny is a leader and team player; he is always willing to do whatever it takes to assist with a product, shipping, and guidance. Not only is Kenny a valued employee he is a genuine person who cares about everyone. I’m honored to be his co-worker, teammate, and friend.”

David Osogwin
David Osogwin

Welcome, David Osogwin!

We are excited to add David Osogwin to our ever-growing team! David will be joining us as a Project Manager, a role that he is no stranger to. Before his project management days, David worked as an electro-cardiology technician at St. Vincent Hospital during his time at IUPUI, where he studied Economics. Most recently, he was a managing partner in the foodservice industry, showing his ability to handle many moving parts in multiple different industries.

David loves spending time with his family, which consists of his wife and two daughters, who are huge fans of outdoor activities like hiking and camping. David will also go golfing as much as he can, even though he says that he’s not the greatest at it.

What are you most excited for at Storage Solutions?

“I am extremely excited to work with such a well-established company and alongside such a great team of professionals. I am very excited to start a new chapter of my career in an industry that is new to me as well as an industry that is currently growing and innovating. Also, I am very optimistic to work  with this company that is preparing for and proactively trying to solve the challenges and changes of material handlers’ needs with automation, robotics, and new solutions to storage and inventory management.”

Want to become part of the Storage Solutions team? Apply here today!

Jordan Fears Headshot
Jordan Fears Headshot

Welcome, Jordan Fears!

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest employee, Jordan Fears. With over 2 years of experience, Jordan will be a great addition to the Storage Solutions team in his role as a Sales Support Associate. Jordan will be working from our Kansas City office. Before, Jordan worked for RC-N-I Inc., where he was the Director of Operations. In that role he was responsible for managing projects, crews, payroll, and estimating jobs. Jordan is a graduate from the University of Missouri Kansas City where he earned his MBA.

Outside the office, Jordan is a big fan of the outdoors – he enjoys fishing and deer hunting. He also spends his time playing sports, especially soccer and baseball. Fun fact, he was the batboy for the Kansas City Royals all throughout high school and college. And in case you were wondering, yes, that includes the season they won their last World Series.

What are you most excited to do at Storage Solutions?

“I’m very excited to be in the market of material handling systems. I feel like with the growth in e-commerce and the development of automated technologies the demand for warehouses is just starting to take off. I like talking with warehouse and business owners about their operation and developing a plan that fits the needs of their facility. I’m looking forward to all the different people I will meet and the different projects I will be a part of.”

Happy Thanksgiving from SSI

2018 has flown by, and as the breeze becomes brisk and the leaves change colors, we begin to prepare for the end of the year. Before we do that, all of us would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! This holiday is a great time to relax and recharge with those you cherish with a nice meal.

Whether this holiday means watching football, a big dinner, a huge family get-together or starting Holiday shopping a little early on Friday, we hope that you enjoy your time with those around you.

We are most thankful for our amazing staff, great clients and wonderful partner network. Without all of you, none of what we do would be possible. For that, thank you for your efforts, continued reliability and belief in us.

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, our office will be closed Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23. The office will reopen on Monday, November 26. If you need anything, feel free to contact us here, and we will help you finish 2018 on a high note!

Why should the Storage Solutions C-A-R-E-S warehouse design optimization process matter to your company? Everyone experiences challenges & changes within their operation. With the Storage Solutions C-A-R-E-S process, we follow a systemic approach to uncover any issues you may have. These guidelines allow us to address specific opportunities for improvement, pain points, growth objectives & more. We have tailored this process to be fully customizable to fit your budget, needs, and time frame.

For example, we can address issues you may have when it comes to order fulfillment. The cause could stem from picking challenges or e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment demands. For this reason, it is imperative to design a solution that works best for you and is dynamic enough to adapt at the drop of a hat to meet external expectations.

Likewise, internal issues such as SKU proliferation or facility consolidation may be items that need to be addressed. Our C-A-R-E-S process can analyze these issues to provide you with the most efficient answer to your current problems. Similarly, we provide you with the most flexible solution to ensure you are ready for any changes down the pipeline.

In conclusion, by using our data-driven C-A-R-E-S process, we can help you create a solution that can be justified not just operationally but also economically. By developing your distribution to optimal efficiency, we can address your current and future goals. Our team of material handling professionals and our in-house design team make the perfect tandem to prepare you quickly for market changes and increased customer demands.

Now that you know why an optimized warehouse design is essential, you can learn more about our C-A-R-E-S process here!

Broken Case Picking Phases

There are many options available for Storage Solutions to address your broken case picking operational challenges. Therefore, it’s essential to make sure you are matching the right picking approach to what your warehouse needs. The more challenging your needs are, the more likely you are to be able to make a business case with a relatively short-term ROI for more complex solutions.

Our team uses a variety of criteria to decide what equipment, automation, and technology are best to optimize each solution. The volume of picked items is a crucial element of this process, so we’re going to walk through some examples of what we can do to tailor each operation for peak efficiency. We will break this down into four levels of pick activity, including low, medium, and high-volume operations, along with advanced systems for very high volume and complex processes.

Phase 1: Low Volume

In a low volume broken case picking operation, we typically see little or no automation and limited technology solutions. Limited labor requirements make it challenging to show an ROI for complex solutions. You are most likely dealing with bin shelving or hand stack pallet rack for a storage method. These operations often use paper pick lists or RF scanning technology to manage orders. With a low volume of items picked, frequently, the most cost-effective method would involve using a manual pick cart or gravity conveyor to move through the order selection process.

Phase 2: Medium Volume

For a medium-volume picking operation, simple automation and technology solutions are most appropriate. These systems lend themselves to incorporating more dense storage methods, such as carton and pallet flow. Often times, we have found lower-level automation options like powered conveyors and vertical lift machines (VLMs) to be cost-justified. Simple technology solutions like pick-to-light carts or put-to-light walls are other types of equipment that are optimal for a medium volume operation. Also, semi-automated tapers with void fill machines may also be the best option to maximize productivity in the packing area.

Phase 3: High Volume

Next, for a high volume picking operation, automation, and technology solutions will most likely be involved. While the storage methods may be similar to a medium-volume operation, the overall facility solution is typically configured differently. A multi-level pick module or pick zone-based solution will often make the most sense. Warehouse control systems (WCS) are often required to manage automation components. Packing and shipping are also more likely to rely on automation. The packing process could benefit from fully automated packing list insertion and fully automated tapers, weigh in motion scales & print & apply labeling tools.

Phase 4: Advanced

Lastly, advanced volume picking operations benefit the most from automation. This equipment can include various powered conveyors, sortation, semi-automated deep lane storage, ASRS, mobile robotics, or other “goods-to-man” solutions. The picking process will likely incorporate high-level technology solutions, including voice-directed picking. In addition, packing and shipping will also rely heavily on automation. Advanced pick operations can benefit from solutions such as automated unit sortation, weigh-in-motion scales, and automatic print/apply shipping labeling. Similarly, automatic carrier diverts are also substantial automation and technology options for advanced pick operations.

At the end of the day, every level of activity brings a different challenge, so it is crucial to plan for growth. We are here to help you implement the optimal facility to meet your current & future business needs. Our team will be with you throughout the process, making sure that we get you everything you need down to the finest details.

Click here to read more about how we can optimize your broken case picking facility!