Material Handling Related White Papers

TriFactor's White Papers are a knowledge base of best practices associated with material handling systems design.  The topics of these material handling White Papers range from considerations for conveyor system design, to pallet rack selection, to factors that should be contemplated when choosing an order picking system, as well as other essential tips on how to run your warehouse or distribution center more efficiently.  These articles draw from the experience and expertise of TriFactor's in house engineering staff which includes mechanical, industrial, electrical, and software engineers. 

JJ Phelan P.E.

By JJ Phelan

The material handling Design Build Process is discussed in regards to project management.  The importance of establishing trust between all parties involved is a emphasized in this process. Find out how a well-thought project can impact your ROI. 

Learn what it takes to improve your project management and ROI by reading
The Three Factors of the Design Build Process

JJ Phelan P.E.

By JJ Phelan

This is an assessment of what distribution centers need to do to gain competitive advantage in the year ahead and even beyond.  Discussed is multi-channel distribution, cross docking, product slotting and adding technology to give you a competitive advantage.

Learn what it takes to get a competitive advantage by reading Ten Strategies for Giving Your Distribution Center an Advantage in this Economic Recovery

Richard Gillespie

By Richard Gillespie

A pick module may be the solution to a distribution center's need for increased efficiency and order accuracy.  Because each operation has different needs, this white paper will provide an overall guide for pick module design.  A more specific evaluation should be completed before starting a pick module project. 

Explore more information about Designing a Pick Module to Make Your Distribution Center More Efficient

Larry Boroff

By Larry Boroff

A sortation system (sorter) is an integrated material handling conveyor system that automatically diverts product to a conveyor or chute for delivery to other areas of the DC including put-away, consolidation, replenishment, picking, audit, and outbound shipments. A sorter usually is chosen when the required speed and accuracy of an operation are too great to compensate for with manual labor.

Learn more on what you should be Considering When Selecting a Sortation System

JJ Phelan P.E.

by JJ Phelan

So if you have found that you have been fortunate enough to grow your business using traditional manual processes but you are at a point where it just seems like it is harder than it used to be, here are five signs that would indicate you should consider taking that next step in your business growth by implementing some automation in your operations.

To learn more about these five signs read the entire white paper on The Top Five Signs That You Should Consider Material Handling Automation

Greg Tuohy

by Greg Tuohy

If you think your distribution center can run more efficiently, that throughput can still be increased, costs could still be lower and manpower better utilized, then here are 10 ways to improve your warehouse efficiency.

This white paper was published in Material Handling Wholesaler, Modern Material Handling (online), Supply & Demand Chain Executive (online), Food Industry News, Food Logistics and Grocery HQ Magazine.

To learn more read the entire white paper 10 Ways to Improve Material Handling Efficiency

JJ Phelan P.E.

By JJ Phelan

Well fortunately, just like most environments, business and the economy behave in cycles.  Therefore, prosperity will happen again, hopefully sooner rather than later.  Knowing that good times lie ahead, we should do more than simply wish about what we should have done in the past. Instead, we can learn from our mistakes, recognize where we were complacent and take action for the future.  Here are some lessons from the recession and some ideas that might ring true to your distribution operation going forward.

To Learn more read the entire white paper on Recession Lessons, What We Would do Differently if We Could Go Back to 2006

Craig Bertorello

By Craig R. Bertorello

JJ Phelan P.E.

By JJ Phelan

It is common in the health care industry for many companies to invest early in high technology distribution solutions not only to maximize efficiency, but also in the interest of creating a safe and ergonomically friendly work environment, where the distribution center is often as immaculate as the manufacturing facilities.   A clean, quiet distribution center can often be used as a sales tool to show potential customers of the health care product distributors the diligence that goes into packaging each shipment.  The message  conveyed to potential customers is clear - product will be delivered on time, accurate, undamaged and will be immaculate.  That is not only what the end users want, it is what they demand.

Learn more about the Technology Used to Distribute Health Care Products

Richard Gillespie

 By Richard Gillespie

Selecting the proper order picking technologies can move a company forward faster in reaching objectives like controlling costs, maximizing productivity, increasing throughput and improving accuracy . To arrive at the correct order picking solution, here are guidelines that will help companies make the appropriate determination.

This white paper was published in Supply & Demand Chain Executive (online), Integrated Solutions for Retailers (online) and Industrial Distribution (online)

To learn more read the entire white paper on the Critical Factors when Choosing an Order Picking System 

JJ Phelan P.E.

by JJ Phelan P.E.

Decades ago, the beer distribution business was somewhat of a cookie-cutter operation. Back then there were fewer than 100 brewers pumping out suds in mostly standard-sized bottles and cans that were shipped by distributors in full pallets, all bolstered by the battle cry “stack ‘em high, and let ‘em fly!”  Now Beer Distributors are faced with the introduction of craft beers by the microbreweries resulting in a rapid increase in the number of SKU's that they distribute. 

Learn how beer distributors are coping with the Beer Distribution Problems Brewing

Tom Betts

By Tom Betts

It's always the seemingly small things--like a conveyor breakdown--that raise havoc, escalate costs and reduce profits.   Here are 12 of the most common material handling system maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them.

Some of the publications that ran this article include Material Handling Management, National Provisioner,Beverage Industry Magazine, Food Manufacturing Magazine, Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operations, Packaging Insights (online), Asia Pacific Food Industry and the MHEDA EDGE (online).

Read the entire white paper and learn How to Avoid the 12 Most Costly Conveyor Maintenance Mistakes 

JJ Phelan P.E.

By J J Phelan

Although conventional thought may be that rack is rack and there is nothing very complex about it, selecting the most effective rack system is almost never simple.  This is especially true when your business operates in a dynamic environment, as most do.  Balancing building layout, product mix and type of access required for that product, warehouse and distribution managers have some tough choices to make. 

Some of the publications that ran this white paper include Material Handling Wholesaler (online) and  Food Logistics.

Read the entire white paper and learn about Which Rack Storage System is Right for Your Company

Paul Hansen

By Paul Hansen

 Palletization is the task of taking cases and stacking them in layers on pallets for storage and/or transportation.  It’s how the stacking is done, whether manually, automatically or semi-automatically, that varies from warehouse to warehouse. The amount and type of product being moved often determines which mode of palletizing will be used.

Material Handling Wholesaler and Supply & Demand Chain Executive have featured this white paper.

Read the entire white paper and learn about Planning a Palletizing Operation

JJ Phelan P.E.

By J J Phelan

"A lot of companies probably don't know the difference in a WMS and a WCS system," says Jerry List, vice president of QC Software in Cincinnati, OH "To put it simply, the WMS plans a weekly activity forecast, based on such factors as statistics, trends, and so forth. And a WCS acts like a floor supervisor, working in real time to get the job done by the most effective means.

This white paper has been featured in several publications including Material Handling Network (online), Supply & Demand Chain Executive (online) and Integrated Solutions for Retailers (online)

Read the entire article on how using a Warehouse Control System or a Warehouse Managment System will help you take Control of your Business.

Craig Bertorello

By Craig Bertorello

With distribution costs escalating daily, finding more efficient and cost-reducing ways to get products to customers is an absolute must. A critical component of this process is, of course, the distribution center. As these facilities increase in size, some now well over two million square feet, any mistakes in planning only escalate the costs, create unnecessary delays and reduce the ultimate operating efficiency of a facility. 

Material Handing Management (online) Supply & Demand Chain Executive (online), Modern Distribution Management (online), Distributions Center Management and Tire Business Magazine have all featured this white paper in a article.

Read the entire white paper and learn The Five Most Common Mistakes When Planning a Distribution Center

JJ Phelan P.E.

 By JJ Phelan

"There is no question as to the role technology plays in moving us forward, particularly the software," Masi notes. "Warehouse Management Systems, with their capabilities for real-time replenishment and label picking, are a major step forward. It helps us to keep a better balance between accumulation, picking and loading."

This white paper was featured in Beverage World (online)

Read the entire white paper and learn Wine and Spirits Industry Outlook

By Paul Hansen and Kelvin Gibson

Whether operating an existing warehouse or preparing for a new distribution center, an efficient slotting plan developed from an in-depth slotting analysis is an essential element of effective distribution center and warehouse operations.  Properly slotting a facility reduces expensive labor costs and dramatically improves throughput by increasing pick and replenishment efficiencies, increasing order accuracy, and reducing ergonomic risks associated with improper picking and replenishment operations. A successful slotting plan also improves the capability to meet inventory rotation requirements, such as FIFO (First In First Out) and LIFO (Last In First Out).   

This in depth discussion on slotting was featured in Supply & Demand Chain Executive (online), National Provisioner, Material Handling Wholesaler, Industrial Distribution and Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery.

Read the white paper and learn more on how to properly slot your product for your distribution center

J J Phelan, P. E.

Implementing an automated crossdocking process in the distribution center would be a low hanging fruit when evaluating potential continuing improvement processes.  Learn about the 5 advantages that can be gained by having an automated crossdocking operation in your distribution center

Learn about the 5 advantages of having a crossdocking operation in your DC by reading If You Want to Run a Lean Distribution Center, consider an Automated Crossdocking Process

Craig Bertorello

By Craig Bertorello

Planning a warehouse or distribution center requires attention to detail and diligence during every step of the process.  By identifying your operation's storage and activity levels you can properly plan the best warehouse or distribution center that is tailored specifically to your company.  Follow the seven vital steps presented by Craig Bertorello to acheive the best warehouse or distribution center for your needs.  

Read the white paper and learn more on Planning Your Warehouse or Distribution Center.

JJ Phelan P.E.

There is an overarching sense that this recession means paradigm shifts of fundamental proportions, challenging the old ways of doing business. For companies to emerge stronger, increase market share and prosper when the economy recovers will take not only a realistic assessment of the business environment but also a serious, accurate self-diagnosis of operational capabilities, technological competence, skills, knowledge, flexibility and competitive positioning.

Read the white paper and learn more Get Started Now, Position Your Business to Prosper in the Economic Recovery