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The automotive segment has been the early adopter in lean manufacturing techniques and specifically the use of forklift alternative material handling. Other industries are rapidly following suit as they realize that safety improvements and reduction of waste in the handling system quickly flow to the bottom line.
As a result, the forklift alternative material handling approach is not a fad or a trend, but a powerful tool that is beginning to find its way into the fabric of U.S. manufacturing.
High quality industrial carts, tuggers, lifts, conveyor systems, other ergo-devices and ……forklifts are combined in a balanced approach to material handling. Here is a sample of who's using it:
- Electronics Manufacturer – Producing large volumes of CDs and DVDs required that product be moved from production conveyor lines in the plant w/o forklifts using special elevated, segmented roller deck carts.
- Furniture Manufacturer & Distribution - Large flat deck, low noise, ergonomically designed carts helped this company safely pick furniture from high bay warehouse racks and place directly in the truck
- Heating & Air Conditioning –To easily move small and bulk parts through tight aisles to assembly positions, this leading HVAC producer chose rotational flat decks carts w/under frame lift pockets.
- Motion & Control Technology Manufacturer – Producing a wide variety of industrial products this major global company is using a combination of standard and custom designed carts and lifts to implement a forklift alternative strategy.
- Defense Contractor – Leading producer of combat vehicles uses modified pivot point caster steer delivery carts move small parts in multiple trains from market to assembly positions in three buildings.
- Agriculture & Equipment Manufacturer - Oversized flat deck carts move large WIP sub-assemblies between build cell, paint staging and final shipping w/o towlines, conveyors or forklifts. When complete, the cart is delivered to a painting station where the product is painted and staged for shipping.
- Commercial Lighting Fixture Manufacturer – This large vertically integrated producer of high quality lighting fixtures chose a forklift alternative approach as a result of a Kaizen event to reduce handling costs. They use a variety of standard cart designs.
If you are not sure how to get started, the K-Tec engineering and consulting team can help you identify efficiency opportunities. Call us at 440-943-4111 to learn more about getting started with forklift alternative solutions.
- Larry Tyler will be speaking at the APICS International Conference and Expo on September 14-16 in Kansas City, Missouri. Larry will be speaking in the “Lean” track on the topic “Lean Material Flow with Forklift-Free Operations: Considerations for Success”
- K-Tec will be exhibiting at the National Manufacturing Week Show on September 23 – 25 in Chicago, Illinois. Come visit us in booth #4930.
Larry Tyler
President, K-Tec
Where materials flow by design
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 There is a significant upswing in demand for forklift alternative handling systems from other industries. Can you pass the test below?
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