Is It Time to Invest in New Equipment? How to Evaluate Your Material Handling Setup
A new year has arrived, and there’s no better time to evaluate your business’s productivity. Often, this involves upgrading or replacing the warehouse material handling equipment you’re currently using.
Below, we’re discussing everything you need to know about evaluating your warehouse’s setup. Read on to learn more!
Signs You Need to Revamp Your System
When you’re trying to determine whether you need new types of material handling equipment, there are several factors you should consider. Specifically, the following signs may indicate a need for new material handling solutions:
- Lack of space for your inventory
- A noticeable slowdown in your productivity
- Inspections that reveal issues with your equipment
- New goals and requirements that cannot be fulfilled with your current setup
- Equipment that has over 10,000 hours of use
If any of these indicators apply to your warehouse handling system and current needs, consider investing in new products.
Three Tips for Evaluating Your Equipment
When it comes to your material handling solutions, it’s crucial to make strategic decisions that improve your warehouse’s productivity while keeping employees safe. As you begin your search for new equipment, keep the following tips in mind:
1. New Year, New Goals
Companies often reset their short-term and long-term goals at the beginning of the year, which is a wise practice to reach new heights in business revenue. When purchasing new material handling equipment, such as automated solutions, your budget requirements will significantly influence your decisions. Therefore, it’s important to remember that your upfront equipment costs are a small part of the bigger picture, as they will lead to an increase in your return on investment (ROI).
2. Upgrading and Replacing
The age and extent of use of your warehouse lifting equipment and other solutions will play a key role in your decision to replace it. Some upgrades, such as electrical conversions, can save you money on operating costs. This is especially true if your material lifting equipment has reached the 10,000-hour mark that indicates heavy usage. Even products that have not been used as frequently may need to be replaced if their functional parts and components have come to the end of their lifespans.
3. Inspection Issues
If inspections are consistently turning up issues with your handling equipment, and you find that small repairs are affecting your bottom line, it’s probably time to upgrade your warehouse. All material handling equipment should be in peak working condition to keep employees safe and reduce your legal risks. The results of your inspections are an effective way to gauge your need for new solutions and evaluate which items you should prioritize to keep your upgrades within your budget constraints.
A-Lined Handling Systems: Your Go-To Source for Material Handling Solutions
Do you need to replace your material handling equipment, create more space in your warehouse, and increase your productivity in the new year? A-Lined Handling Systems can help.
As a leading company in the material handling industry, we can assist you in making the best decisions to reach your goals and increase your revenue. Reach out to us today online or by phone at (860) 289-1571 and start the year off right!