http://www.mhia.org./rss/casestudies MHIA.org Case Studies en-us Copyright Material Handling Industry® 2007 10 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:55:31 GMT Case Study Rapid growth presented a cataloger of paper products, gifts and home decorating items with a major challenge. How could they process more orders than ever before, and do it with higher levels of speed, accuracy and cost efficiency to provide their customers with the best service possible? http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/7800/catalog-distributor-meets-rising-volumes-and-improves-customer-service-with-a-new-pick-to-light-and-container-routing-system- Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:51:23 GMT Case Study Since its founding in 1992, a direct selling / e-commerce business had been using a paper order picking methodology. By 2000 their product range expanded to over 1,500 SKUs, including vitamins, cosmetics, cleaning supplies and automotive products. The company distributors had also grown to over 100,000 ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/7802/pick-to-light-solution-saves-direct-selling-company--1-5-million-in-labor Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:49:19 GMT Case Study One of the nation’s largest food redistributors manages a 275,000 square foot facility that is used as a redistribution hub for dry, frozen and refrigerated food products. Because forklifts are a core component of the redistribution center, downtime due to maintenance can translate into a loss of profit. ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/7791/large-spanco-jib-crane-helps-keep-food-redistribution-forklift-fleet-running-efficiently Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:37:23 GMT Case Study A high performance picking system (HPPS), an intelligent combination of mechanics and software, met project requirements for a redesigned central warehouse and distribution center of a European cutlery supplier. The pick-to-light system, storage and retrieval machines allow for the quick, efficient and ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/7794/high-performance-picking-system-eliminates-replenishment-labor Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:27:36 GMT Case Study In order to update this office products wholesalers’ facility and resolve their storage and operating issues, their existing rack and pallet handling system was expanded and automated, which included the implementation of an integrated conveyor and control system. Not only did automation increase their ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3329/office-products-wholesaler-incorporates-automated-aisle-changing-cranes Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:26:43 GMT Case Study This poultry processing facility needed improved responsiveness, performance and quality in their cold storage operation. To accomplish this, they implemented a new automated 5-aisle storage system and integrated their existing in-house WMS with a WCS resulted in increased response times. The system ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3328/cold-storage-facility-takes-advantage-of-fully-automated-aisle-storage-system Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:47:08 GMT Case Study Handling of long bulky materials has often been a challenge when the hoists and trolleys do not run at the exact same speeds. Typically when two independent hoists are operated in parallel, the differences in starting and stopping times of the hoists causes the hoist lift or trolley travel to not be ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/hmi/casestudies/3370/demag-dr-pro-hoists-with-simultaneous-and-independent-hoists-are-the-ideal-solution-for-handling-long-materials Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:45:18 GMT Case Study The new Bag Handling System by J.D. Neuhaus is designed for the Super Sack® handling needs of America's industries. Typical applications would be in the pharmaceutical and plastics industries or wherever big bags are used to handle raw materials or finished products throughout the processing and general ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/hmi/casestudies/3374/j-d--neuhaus-launches-new-big-bag-handling-system Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:39:10 GMT Case Study A housing material supplier receives daily shipments of steel bundles. The bundles arrive on flatbed truck that are backed into a large warehouse and unloaded. Shipments can range from one 500lb I-beam to a full truck load of 40 thousand pounds. The steel is then transported from the warehouse to existing ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/3615/spanco-gantry-crane-provides-secure-unloading-of-steel-bundles-from-flatbeds Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:35:32 GMT Case Study Over the past several years, the government has been focusing on increasing the use of our mass transit systems throughout the United States. This focus has many transit agencies upgrading their railroad cars. http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/3612/-sissco--unveils-new-a-c-unit-removal-hoist Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:32:34 GMT Case Study Atlas Steel Products, an aluminized and stainless steel service center and tubing producer in Twinsburg, Ohio, needed to purchase two new cranes and rectify some reliability and control problems. http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/3613/atlas-steel-solves-crane-problem-with-remote-control Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:28:02 GMT Case Study A west-coast refinery with a pair of old, worn-out coke handling bucket cranes was experiencing excessive down time and high maintenance costs (reportedly $700,000 per year). http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/3611/enhanced-coke-handling-crane-design-increases-productivity--reduces-downtime Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:19:50 GMT Case Study North American Industries Customized Gantry Cranes for Difficult Bridge Work. The 7.5 US ton crane was recently constructed and installed by NAI. All bracing from legs to girder was outboard. The gantry legs were designed so that loads could pass through the legs of the crane. The crane has an adjustable ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/6291/north-american-industries-customizes-gantry-cranes-for-difficult-bridge-work Wed, 28 May 2008 15:22:08 GMT Case Study Learn how a leader in employee recognition companies incorporated a number of material handling concepts to achieve 120% in productivity improvement, a 70% reduction in order cycle time and increased production by 17%. http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3357/automated-material-flow-is-highest-award-for-employee-recognition-company Wed, 28 May 2008 15:21:41 GMT Case Study Faced with rising variable costs and looming capacity restraints, a leading direct mail and direct response company built a new 470,000 sq. ft. facility around several core manufacturing processes: digital transfer printing technology, printing coupon signatures instead of individual coupons, and wrapping ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/7632/direct-mail---direct-response-company-slashes-cycle-time Wed, 28 May 2008 15:20:57 GMT Case Study Today's automotive assembly plants have a rigorous dependency on their suppliers. This case study highlights one of the certified first-tier suppliers to a luxury SUV assembler. They build wiring harnesses specifically to a customer order (for a specific vehicle) at a remote factory, ship to a third ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3337/luxury-suv-assembler-s-just-in-sequence-system Wed, 28 May 2008 15:20:04 GMT Case Study Has your flight been delayed due to mechanical parts failure? Airlines try to avoid these Airplane on Ground (AOG) situations at all costs by getting parts to the mechanics ASAP. This case study describes a distribution system that has reduced cycle time picking parts orders by 60% and cut delivery time ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3348/parts-are-delivered-faster-so-your-airplane-is-ready-to-go-when-you-are- Wed, 28 May 2008 15:19:28 GMT Case Study One of the leading beef suppliers in the country found it required a fast, flexible distribution system with precise inventory control to keep up with growth and customer demands. They requested assistance in developing a state-of-the-art material flow system designed for efficient material flow and ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3344/beef-distribution-facility-has-no-beef-about-their-automation-system- Wed, 28 May 2008 15:18:47 GMT Case Study This manufacturer of gas cement logs for fireplace specialty dealers in the US and Canada decided to make the leap to an automated material handling system to reduce production time, make more efficient use of available floor space and to reduce workers compensation claims. http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3356/use-point-manager-system-ignites-gas-log-production-company Wed, 28 May 2008 11:49:44 GMT Case Study Industry: Manufacturer of Gears and Gear Cutting Machinery for the Auto Industry. Application: Large, heavy machined parts are brought in on pallets to have tolerances measured. Parts are picked from the pallet, moved to the testing machine, and once testing is complete moved back to the pallet and on ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/mma/casestudies/7731/hybrid-system-used-in-place-of-conventional-enclosed-track Wed, 28 May 2008 11:49:33 GMT Case Study A Free Standing Work Station Bridge Crane with a 1000# aluminum bridge and chain hoist was installed for a Manufacturer of Fabricated Stone Products. The Application was that large stones slabs are loaded and unloaded by hand or with fork trucks. Both methods caused problems with space, safety, and ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/mma/casestudies/7732/work-station-crane-helps-protect-product-and-workers-in-fabricated-stone-industry Thu, 22 May 2008 10:43:49 GMT Case Study An Electric Lift Truck Manufacturer needed a work station crane to lift truck parts of different sized and shapes from a steel cart and moved into a room where precision measuring takes place on a laser measuring table. They needed a system for their fragile application and have the flexibility to change ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/mma/casestudies/7717/work-station-crane-s-flexibility-wins-customer-s-loyalty Thu, 22 May 2008 10:41:59 GMT Case Study Work Station Crane w/Telescoping Bridge with Chain Hoist helps overcome spacing issues for a supplier of machined components. “The telescoping WSC allowed us to maximize our available space while keeping the work area free of obstructions”. Machining operations occur in order across three different ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/mma/casestudies/7716/telescoping-bridge-helps-overcome-spacing-issues Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:12:43 GMT Case Study Learn how a brick company created an ergonomic solution for its employees through the use of self-leveling pallet handling equipment. The pallet load leveler is designed to automatically keep the top layer of bricks at the most convenient height for loading and unloading. As workers transfer bricks from ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/lmps/casestudies/7662/pallet-level-loaders-provide-relief-from-back-problems--reduce-worker-fatigue-and-speed-production Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:09:28 GMT Case Study Learn how preprinted newspaper inserts are fed into inserting drums using a level loader, which has virtually eliminated back complaints and reduced bending and stooping to create a more ergonomic working environment. http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/lmps/casestudies/7661/back-saving-pallet-level-loaders-win-accolades-from-workers Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:03:27 GMT Case Study When this dairy manufacturer decided it was time to consolidate distribution from 14 manufacturing facilities into one national distribution center, it produced a state-of-the-art facility that could accommodate aggressive growth. This distribution center continues to set the benchmark within the chilled ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/7633/high-density-storage-reduces-energy-consumption Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:31:52 GMT Case Study Downtime for maintenance is a standard part of production. It helps to ensure reliable equipment performance. However, it still means that for some period of time, you are not making product, but instead are generating cost. http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/lmps/casestudies/3409/motorized-electrode-lifter-slashes-steel-furnace-downtime-by-85- Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:02:52 GMT Case Study What gives this major beef processor self-sufficiency in its operation? Find out in this case study how modernization increased reliability, flexibility and productivity in the most cost-effective manner. http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3299/where-s-the-beef-no-longer-an-issue-for-meat-processor- Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:30:17 GMT Case Study With a new automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), this home furnishings distributor has the capability to store over 81,000 pallets. Sizes include Euro (800 x 1200 mm) and customized (800 x 200 mm) pallets. The storage and retrieval machines handle 30 pallets per hour. This provides an overall ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/6292/home-furnishings-retailer-adds-as-rs-with-flexibility-to-handle-euro-and-custom-pallets Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:22:03 GMT Case Study Wall Mounted Jib Cranes allowed for an efficient production process void of bottlenecking. The plant production manager was dealing with the daily problem of bottlenecking on the production floor. Individual workstations were set up as part of a fabrication process were becoming inefficient as coworkers ... http://www.mhia.org./industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/6290/spanco-jibs-allow-for-efficient-workflow-void-of-bottlenecking