Reduce Movement Delays in Your Fabrication Shop without Forklifts
Fabrication shops can be a flurry of activity. Between shipping and
receiving, the materials floor, and employee workstations, there is a
lot of in-plant movement. There’s also potential for congestion, delays,
and friction between different areas of the plant.
How can you
improve fab efficiencies and reduce delays without adding a forklift or
other obstructions? The answer may be as simple as equipping your team
with an electric dolly or heavy duty aluminum hand truck.
Smaller, nimble tools help maintain worker safety, maximize floor space, and improve daily efficiencies.
Why Put the Focus on Reducing Movement Delays?
In any fab, large or small, even the smallest movement delays add up.
Friction between the materials floor and fab stations can mean time and
money wasted. Delays can stem from many sources, including forklift use.
It’s easy to become overly reliant on the forklift, even when it’s not
strictly necessary. From moving minor materials to covering short
distances, using a forklift can seem efficient, but it can lead to
small, unnecessary delays.
Why It’s Time to Invest in Smaller Material Handling Tools
Some fab shops invest in additional forklifts and similar equipment
when inefficiencies hinder productivity. In large fabs, investing in an
additional forklift may make sense, but when it comes to easing
congestion and maintaining adequate floor space, it’s time to look at
smaller options.
An electric dolly
is one example. Electric dollies come in many configurations. There are
models with a weight capacity up to 1,000 pounds that move at around 4
miles per hour. Electric dollies keep your team moving without
compromising floor space. They’re also more maneuverable than a
forklift.
Create a Floor Strategy That Makes Sense for the Fab
Smooth and efficient material transfers are one way to optimize fab
efficiency. Look at internal movement patterns. Where do the most
inefficiencies arise? How are tools, like forklifts, being utilized?
Where can you shop hand truck carts to fill in gaps?
When you avoid traffic conflict and keep your team coordinated across
all areas of the fab, you keep the shop optimized to get deliverables
ready and out the door on time. It’s all about establishing a floor
strategy that reduces movement conflict and maximizes efficiency.
About Magline
Set
a new standard for excellence with Magliner material handling
equipment. Countless businesses across several industries rely on
Magliner equipment every day. From last-mile deliveries to warehousing,
Magliner tools get the job done. You can find the ideal tool for your
business, including durable 2 wheel dollies, heavy duty appliance hand
trucks, and an array of convertible hand carts. Improve day-to-day
efficiencies and employee safety with a Magliner hand truck.
Maximize efficiency in your fabrication shop with https://www.magliner.com/
This article was originally published on magliner.com’s blog here.


