Operating an efficient warehouse requires high-quality equipment. Forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors and storage solutions enable workers to gather, lift and move materials quickly, increasing overall warehouse productivity.
With the right equipment, you can meet customer needs effectively, reduce costs and increase profits. Learn more about the value of having quality material handling solutions for your operation below.
The Importance of Warehouse Material Handling Equipment and Machinery
The equipment used in warehouse operations is crucial for maintaining productivity and streamlining daily tasks. With the right machines, your employees can move materials, products and parts around your warehouse faster to save time while increasing your company’s revenue opportunities.
Most material equipment handling models are compact and allow for better space utilization and maneuverability, enhancing worker safety and convenience.
Key Material Handling Equipment Types and Their Uses
Several types of material handling equipment can enhance your operations. Consider adding the following solutions to your warehouse equipment list:
Lift Trucks
Forklifts and pallet jacks are powered industrial trucks that lift and carry heavy loads. Forklifts are larger, accommodate more weight, and lift materials to greater heights than pallet jacks. They can also operate over longer distances and handle rough terrain, making them perfect for large warehouses and indoor or outdoor applications.
Since pallet jacks are smaller than forklifts, they are ideal for working in tight spaces such as narrow aisles. You can also depend on a pallet jack to handle your smaller loads and transport materials over shorter distances.
Choosing the right types and brands of material handling trucks enables your employees to move materials and products quickly and efficiently.
The right lift trucks can also help you optimize space by enabling you to store items vertically and precisely, making room for more products and materials. You can depend on top brands such as Hyster and Yale to deliver lift trucks with excellent performance and reliability.
Bulk Material Handling Machines and Equipment
Equipment such as conveyor belts, hoppers and reclaimers help you move loose bulk materials. This type of equipment is common in warehouses that require a seamless flow of products throughout the facility, like distribution centers, food and beverage warehouses and manufacturers.
Storage Solutions
Warehouse material storage solutions can help your company optimize space management, maximizing warehouse space and efficiency. Common warehouse storage solutions are:
- Shelving
- Storage racks
- Mezzanines
- Bins
- Stacking frames
High-quality storage solutions enable you to keep products and materials safe from potential damage. They also keep items organized, allowing your employees to reach what they need quickly and easily.
Integrating Technology in Warehouse Management
Integrating new technology in your warehouse management systems can further heighten efficiency, thanks to advancements such as:
- Real-time monitoring and data analytics: Real-time monitoring can help you track your forklifts and determine how to optimize your fleet and workforce. Advanced lift truck models collect data like loads, lift heights and movements, making it easier to determine where, when and how to use each truck.
- Operator assist technologies: These technologies help workers avoid accidents, equipment and product damage and injuries. Features such as object detection, automatic speed and hydraulic adjustment prevent lift trucks from colliding with obstacles or exceeding their weight capacities. These features are especially beneficial when handling hazardous materials.
- Autonomous operation: Lift trucks with autonomous operation can perform tasks without manual human intervention, giving your workers more time to focus on other warehouse responsibilities and processes.
Selecting the Right Material Handling Equipment for Your Warehouse
Before investing in material handling equipment for your warehouse, consider the following factors to choose the best solutions for your company:
Inventory Type
The type of inventory you handle plays a crucial part in choosing the right equipment. For example, forklifts and pallet jacks are necessary for lifting and moving your larger, heavier items, while hoppers and conveyor belts may be necessary to transport loose materials or small parts requiring assembly.
Also, consider the best storage solutions for your specific inventory. Loose materials require solutions such as bins, but you can stack larger items on shelving, racks and mezzanine.
Space Availability
Space availability within your warehouse significantly affects the type of material handling equipment you need. For example, forklifts are the most efficient option if your warehouse workers need to transport materials over further distances.
If your facility contains tight, narrow aisles, a pallet jack or very narrow aisle forklift can help you and your team navigate and reach items more easily.
Warehouses with limited floor space can maximize vertical storage space with shelving, mezzanines and racks. These solutions are an excellent way to store more products and materials without expanding your building.
Space is also important for bulk material handling equipment such as conveyors, hoppers and reclaimers. Customizing your conveyor belt layout can help you optimize operations and move bulk materials faster.
Workflow Optimization
Optimizing your workflow is easier when you have the equipment to handle your precise products, materials and processes. The latest forklift models have advanced maneuverability and lifting capabilities, reducing the time and effort your workers must dedicate to manual material handling. Consider your company’s current workflow and which tasks take most of your employees’ time to determine the best equipment options.
New, Used and Rental Material Handling Equipment
Your warehouse operation can choose from various options when securing additional material handling equipment. Explore the advantages of each choice below:
- New equipment: Purchasing new material handling equipment is a great pick if it fits within your budget and you plan to use it often.
- Used equipment: Used equipment offers a lower-cost alternative to new equipment. Purchasing a used lift truck can fulfill your operational needs and support efficiency if a new machine is out of your budget.
- Rental equipment: Renting is another great way to save money, and it’s the best option for short-term equipment needs. When renting material handling equipment, you can boost efficiency without making a significant investment or paying maintenance and repair costs.
Bohl Equipment Co. carries various new, used and rental forklifts from the industry’s top brands. You can select from reputable manufacturers such as Hyster, Yale, Cushman, CombiLift and Lift King.
Enhance Your Warehouse’s Efficiency With Material Handling Equipment From Bohl Equipment Co.
Choosing the right warehouse material handling equipment is vital to meeting and exceeding your company’s operational goals. Bohl Equipment Co. offers high-quality new, used and rental equipment to meet your material handling needs. We carry a wide selection of forklifts and pallet jacks, and we have been serving warehouse managers, logistics coordinators and supply chain professionals since 1924.
Bohl Equipment Co.’s experts provide knowledgeable service to help you make the best decisions for your operations. You can depend on us to recommend the best solutions based on your warehouse space, inventory type and workflow.
Contact us to learn more about our available equipment and how we can help you boost operational efficiency.
