Improve pick and pack processes with semi-automated solutions

What is it: pick and pack

Pick and Pack involves the meticulous selection and packaging of products within a warehouse. This entails precisely choosing the appropriate type and quantity of items from inventory and carefully packing them for subsequent distribution in a efficient manner. To delve further into effective warehouse order picking strategies, explore our comprehensive guide here. The challenge: The pick and pack process is often among the most time-consuming and expensive tasks in a warehouse.

Addressing the Efficiency Challenges of Pick and Pack Processes

The rapid pace of pick and pack operations can pose significant challenges for employees, often resulting in burnout and elevated turnover rates. To mitigate these issues, warehouses are increasingly adopting semi-automated solutions such as vacuum lifters to enhance efficiency and alleviate the burden on workers.

Key points:

• Rise in E-commerce Demand: The pandemic prompted a notable surge in online shopping, underscoring the importance of streamlined warehouse operations.
• Employee Fatigue: The rapid pace of pick and pack duties has led to employee exhaustion and increased turnover rates.
• Integration of Automation: Warehouses are embracing technologies like vacuum lifters to enhance productivity and alleviate physical strain on staff.

Alleviating the Physical Strain of Pick and Pack

The manual approach to pick and pack operations poses numerous challenges, chiefly due to the physical toll it takes on workers. Employees are tasked with handling a diverse array of packages, ranging from heavy to lightweight, each requiring different handling techniques and exerting varying degrees of strain. Efficiently managing the handling of diverse items while accommodating their individual requirements presents a considerable challenge for warehouse managers. In response to these challenges, the transition toward automation and the adoption of ergonomic aids in warehouses aims not only to enhance operational efficiency but also to cultivate a safer and more sustainable working environment for employees.

The Role of Automation in Warehouse Operations

Automation, particularly vacuum lifting technology, has emerged as a pivotal solution for improving pick and pack operations. While the integration of robotics may seem daunting, semi-automated solutions like mobile vacuum lifters offer long-term benefits. Vacuum lifters combine machinery with human operators, bringing several advantages to pick and pack operations, including:

• Enhanced efficiency
• Reduced employee turnover
• Decreased injury rates

Evaluating ROI on Warehouse Vacuum Technology

Effective automation prioritizes user-friendly, adaptable solutions that offer swift returns on investment. For instance, companies like Yusen Logistics have successfully integrated TAWI vacuum lifters into their operations. According to Rob Hamborg, UK Site Manager for Yusen Logistics:

“TAWI's vacuum lifting equipment has eliminated 100% of the lift and has completely streamlined the process. In a timed experiment, the vacuum lifters are 20% more efficient, requiring 30% less labor.”

View the full case study here. While manual handling may initially appear quicker, over time, machines like high-speed vacuum lifters consistently outperform human efforts. These lifters are engineered to replicate manual work, offering ergonomic advantages and sustaining productivity levels throughout the shift.

The Significance of Speed and Ergonomics in Pick and Pack

Enhancing pick and pack operations in warehouses is vital for meeting the demands of the modern e-commerce landscape. By embracing intelligent automation solutions, such as mobile vacuum lifters, warehouses can enhance efficiency, mitigate injury risks, and provide superior working conditions for employees. Keen on optimizing your warehouse for efficiency and employee well-being? Explore how TAWI solutions can elevate your warehouse operations.